Out of Darkness (1956)

[admusicam]

https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog ... 605878-vid

[Le Chiffre]

Filmed in the Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk, Calif., this film is an actual record of three months in the life of one of the patients. It is composed largely of filmed psychotherapeutic sessions, in which a young woman, acutely ill with catatonic schizophrenia, is gradually started on her way to recovery.

Nice catch, admusicam. I'd been wanting to see that for many years. I'd only seen it mentioned briefly in a couple of Welles books, but was curious about it. Strangely, the program reminded me a bit of the original boarding house ending for Ambersons, with Fanny in a near catatonic state, although less so then the woman in this program. I find myself wondering if Welles's interest and involvement in this show was partially due to the schizophrenia suffered by his older brother, Richard.

[admusicam]

Your ideas about these connections are very interresting. I Was also very surprised in the way the introduction turn to a very wellesian mood. It seems this documentary is not only the occasion to have another great Welles gest narration but a great add to his own artistic and intellectual- psychologic !- univers.

[Le Chiffre]

Yes, the intro reminds me a bit of Welles's intro for THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.