The Fabulous Fraud

I always watch these short documentaries with a great deal of interest because it typically rouses enough curiosity in me to do my own research afterwards.

Such was this case.

I also found the documentary to be non-conclusive,though one might gather, from the title, that it is in the negative.

The most glaring error, however,in material is that the narrator and documentary has a grim, misty picture of an "unmarked" gravesite or obscure one at best, while after my research, discovered,though banished to Switzerland, Mesmer had a brisk practice there until his death.

Additionally, Germany has erected a huge sculpture honoring him in Meersburg, Germany where he died.

Sensationalistic claims not based in fact are a waste of time for me,although, as I said before the initial appeal of most documentaries myself is prompting me to do my own research.

In this episode of John Nesbitt's long-running series of short subjects for MGM, THE PASSING PARADE, he gives the story of Franz Anton Mesmer, who came to Paris and introduced the city and the world to hypnotism and its dubious uses.

While most of the series consisted of Nesbitt reading from his script while the actors performed their roles silently, this one is split fairly evenly between Nesbitt's commentary and the performers speaking lines as they go through the story. It's also a bit flashier than average; often you'd have a guy traveling around the world in search of a variety of wheat, or someone who just did their job.

Was he a healer or a fraud? We'll never know and this short subject gives no definitive answer.

It begins with Dr. Anton Mesmer (JOHN BARAGREY) shocking a wheelchair patient into walking when he splashes liquid into her startled face. She struggles to her feet, wanting to attack him, but he reminds her that she's walking--and she faints.

Thereafter, other cures with Mesmer's "kill or cure" approach--some successful, others not.

This is one in a series from John Nesbitt's "Passing Parade" and is certainly among the more curious looks at an historical figure from the 1800s. But it all leads to nothing, with no resolution even suggested.

Summing up: Not exactly mesmerizing.

The Fabulous Fraud (1948)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Nice entry in John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series. This episode takes a look at the life and death of Dr. Anton Mesmer, the man who helped discovery hypnotism by accident and then took it to the history books. The main focus of this short is to show that Mesmer ended up taking a lot of grief for his discovery and exactly what happened to him during his final years are somewhat of a mystery. If you're looking for a complete and up-to-date documentary on Mesmer then you're certainly not going to find it here but I think fans of the series should at least be entertained with these 9-minutes. I think the best thing going for the film is its rather dark atmosphere created by Edward L. Cahn. While watching the film you also feel as if you're watching a Universal horror film from this era due to all the thick fog, which just helps with the atmosphere. The performances are also quite good and as you'd expect the narration from Nesbitt is top-notch.

Atmospheric entry in John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series that covers the life of 18th century German physician Franz Anton Mesmer. Yes the 'mesmerism' guy. This short tells of the techniques Mesmer used to treat the ill, including his experimentation with hypnotism. The short is dripping with cynicism from the start with narrator (and writer) John Nesbitt never missing an opportunity to mock Mesmer and those who believed in his quack medicine. Nothing wrong with pointing out the guy was a fraud but the tone is so harsh it struck me as a bit personal, like Nesbitt was ranting. It's all the more strange when you consider the short ends asking the question of whether Mesmer was a healer or a fraud, as if it had not been exclusively making the case for the latter the entire time. This was made in the 1940s and the runtime is brief, so obviously don't expect an accurate history lesson. As entertainment it's not bad for a short. It's a nice production with good atmosphere from director Edward L. Cahn and cinematographer Paul Vogel. John Baragrey, sounding somewhat like Charles Boyer, is good as Mesmer. Morris Ankrum has a bit part as the father of a blind girl. Definitely worth a look if you're into the subject matter or just enjoy the Passing Parade series.