Vintage Hypnotism | J Louis in "Un dos tres", early 90s

Probably 1992 does not fall within the time frame of what we would normally call Vintage Hypnotism in the Society; but although this snippet of a classic Spanish TV show is not even in black and white, it does have most of the small details that we love and identify with old style stage hypnosis. The rhythm, the patterns, the dramatic and authoritative reinforcement of sleep-related suggestions, and the corny numbers, like in this case, the "you are seeing all people naked" glasses stunt. Besides, we didn't know where else to put it.

It's short and it's not very graphic, but it was worthy of entering the archives for one reason: look at the heavy heads, deep breathing and half-open mouths of those ladies from 1992. Gorgeous. It's a shame there is so little of the craftmanship of J. Louis on the Web, who has a really vintage website.

Vintage Hypnotism | Celebrities in Trance: HIldegarde Kneff

Hypnosis with style rule #1:There can no be more glamourous and sensual hypnotic subjects than golden age Hollywood Stars.
Hildegarde Kneff was a german actress that had a long career in the film industry, both in Germany and in the USA. She starred in "Svengali", one of several film adaptations of George de Maurer's classic novel about hypnotism "Trilby". In this video, taken once again from the Pathe Archives (sorry for annoying copyright notice on screen), Hildergarde is hypnotized by a psychologist that is helping her research for a role, presumably "Svengali"'s. The induction and film itself are good, not great; but the piece of film is a rarity. There's evidence of plenty of classic hollywood stars that were hypnotized in some ocassion, but very rarely on screen.

Beautiful Inductions | Vintage Hypnotism: Hypnotist in French Magic Festival in the 1960's

The Following video has no sound, and there is an annoying text in the middle of the screen all the time. However, it's worth every single second of it. It depicts a Hypnotist walking down the street and approaching a group of strangers that are sitting on an outdoor café. It's Paris; it's 1969. Without a single word, the hypnotist starts putting to sleep the surprised beautiful young ladies. Many of them seem to resist, of course unsuccesfully; see how their eyelids flutter and how hard they fight to keep them open. In the end, their bodies collapse in the chair, their arms hang loose. Beautiful.

I love this stuff that comes from a more innocent time where all clichés about hypnosis originated; when hypnosis was mysterious, and hypnotists seemed all powerful. The video comes from the British Pathe Online Archive, and it's identified only as a "magician meeting in Paris".

Enjoy.