Hysteria Film and the Invention of the Vibrator

Wow! I can’t wait to see the film “Hysteria“.  Not only does it look funny, but it explores one of my favorite topics: Hysteria and the invention of the vibrator. (See my articles:  Hysteria and the Magic Wand and a more in depth essay: Hysteria: The Wandering Uterus & A Brief History of the Vibrator)

Hysteria is a stimulating truth-based film set in Victorian London about young Dr. Mortimer Granville (Hugh Dancy) who builds a practice in a specialized area of women’s medicine: the treatment of “hysteria.” The then-common diagnosis encompassed various physical and psychological complaints relieved by “digital pelvic massage” to the point of “hysterical paroxysm.”

Hysteria, created quite a buzz when it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last month.  Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays the daughter of one of Dr. Granville’s colleagues (Jonathan Pryce) said one of the benefits of being in the film, is a bunch of sex toy companies sent her free vibrators.  Sweet!