The Fabulous Fraud

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.

It's MGM presents John Nesbitt's Passing Parade. It is 18th century Paris. Dr. Anton Mesmer runs his Clinic of Mesmerism. The narration suggests that he is a fraud. He treats the aristocratic class and their imagined illnesses. He does also treat the poorer classes. One such patient is a blind girl and through her, he discovers the power of hypnotism.

I don't know how much of this is true. Quite frankly, I have doubts about most of this material. So I can't claim this to be informative. As to its entertainment value, I can't find much of that here either. It is a rather flat telling of a biography.

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.

I disagree with other postings for this marvelous 'little' film. "The Fabulous Fraud" is a very well produced entry into the "Passing Parade" series. This series from the MGM shorts dept always featured good credentials. Most all consisted of talented cast members, good sets, costumes and capable Directors (many major Directors started with MGM Featuretts) These stories managed to be professionally put together on a minuscule budget. This particular title offered an early glimpse into the use of Hypnosis in treating certain medical conditions. John Nesbitt always produced a quality script and with his fine reading voice gave us fascinating insights into situations and characters from our history.

The Cinematography is by none other than Award winning Paul Vogel also known for his great work in numerous superb looking features: "Lady in the Lake" '47 - "Battleground" '49 - "Wonderful World of the Bros Grimm" '62 - "High Society" '56 - It's a Dogs Life" '55 and many other important movies. The scenes at the beginning and end of 'Fabulous Fraud', where the camera glides through a stark forest landscape at night are quite haunting. The Director, Edward L. Cahn went on to make "The Four Skulls of Johnnathan Drake" '59 and other support type features.

In a minor early role the reliable Morris Ankrum, an Atorney and Economics professor before turning to acting, manages to make a customary good impression, even with a part where he doesn't get to deliver a single line. John Baragrey from "The Lady or the Tiger" '42 and "The Loves of Carman" '48. is interesting as Dr Anton Mesmer. The Female roles are also diverting: Phyllis Morris appeared in "Three Came Home" - "Colonel Blimp" - "Goodbye Mr Chips" etc, with Marcia Mae Jones making appearances in "The Life of Emile Zola" '37 - "The Way We Were" '73 etc.

Look past the comments from those who seem to enjoy being impossible to please, without due consideration for the production restrictions imposed. This interesting story was recently screened to a film appreciation group and received a round of applause. Catch it on TCM when you can! Ken Roche.