2. August 20, 2008
October 2, 1932
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
About seventy-six years ago a
little boy sat in the living room of
his home in Detroit, Michigan
reading the morning newspaper.
He was fascinated by the color of
the artwork, the words and the
feeling of being in another world.
With a little help from his father,
with the hard words, he found
himself in a magical world of
mystery and intrigue. As the words
became alive in his mind, he
pictured himself as a part of that
wonderful world. He carefully
folded up the paper and put it away.
Now, that little boy is in his
eighties and as he began to unfold
that long kept and slightly tattered
paper that he had kept in the back
of his scrapbooks he had also
accumulated. What was only a
dream to a little boy had become a
reality for him. You see that little
boy was me and this is the paper.
The following is but a small
sample of the wonderful world I had
immersed myself in. As Jan often
states, “If you hadn’t kept
scrapbooks of your life, no one
would ever believe it could
happen.”
Please read it, and it is my hope
that possibly your dreams are in my
scrapbook too.
Until you have experienced the feeling, one can only imagine what it has been like for me to
Bradford J. brush shoulders with stars, presidents,great writers, the famous and the infamous. I hope that
somehow thru this bit of my history, you will experience that feeling.
Angers

3. It wasn’t just
the magic
that caught
my eye but
the desire to
hypnotize a
person and
entertain
people with
the powers
of
hypnotism.
This desire
to learn how
to hypnotize
carried me
through the
teens and
well into my
college
years in
Detroit,
Michigan.
It opened the
doors for me
to meet a
host of
famous
people, from
Orson
Welles &
Tyrone
Power to the
Beatles and
Stacy Keach.

4. Ads from
Toronto,
Ontario
Papers
BRADFORD J. ANGERS,
HYPNOTIST
ON OUR STAGE -- 10 P.M. -- TONIGHT;
A MASS DEMONSTRATION
Black Magic (1949) OF HYPNOSIS
A Forgotten Welles Film That Is Escapist
Fun
A historical drama based upon a Dumas book,
produced by Edward Small of Eagle Lion Studios (a
postwar effort to upgrade the output of Producers
Releasing Corporation, an outfit once synonymous
with poverty row films). Set in Paris during the
years immediately before the French Revolution,
Welles is Cagliostro, (Giuseppe Balsamo) a brilliant
and scheming hypnotist, who plots to substitute
his own wife on the throne in place of Marie
Antoinette (Nancy Guild). Gregory Ratoff received
on screen directorial credit, but don't be fooled:
Welles supplanted Ratoff during the production,
working with Bradford J. Angers, a hypnotist
himself, and a student at The Detroit Institute of
Technology as well as an authority on Cagliostro.
Supporting actor, Akim Tamiroff went on to
become a regular in several of Welles' later
productions. Great fun! Welles chews the scenery
to good effect. Look for Raymond Burr in a minor
part.
Mike Roach
Brad’s Emcee The trial of Cagliostro in the court of Marie
Antoinette.

5. U.S. and
Canadian
Newspaper
ads and
stories
Dr. Franz Anton Mesmer drew large
Is presented to the King of
France, in Black Magic.
crowds
“STORY TIP”
He forced women to
love him, by
Hypnotism.
During the filming
of the picture,
Brad actually taught
Orson Welles how
to hypnotize.
In fact, several
parts
of the film were
made with Nancy
Guild actually
hypnotized by
Mr. Welles.
Brad was asked to
go on stage
to promote the film.

6. Something
to report “To Brad:
One of the best
hypnotists
I have ever met”
Francis R. Shields
(Dunbar the man
with X-ray mind.)
Newspaper reporter succumbs to the
hypnotic powers of hypnotist, Bradford
Angers at the premier showing of Black Magic.
Kim Kee & Tinka
No tricks…just a little
Hypnotic stiffness
Brad & friends on stage

7. Following the performance at
the Vanity Theater in
Windsor, Ontario, Brad was
given the opportunity to give a
demonstration of hypnotism
for the Ontario Police
Department and invited to
participate in the Christian
Culture Lecture series
sponsored by Assumption
College along with Father
Grant and Father Stan
Murphy.

8. Hey, Wings, ST. CLAIR SHORES
Here’s Idea
Social and Personal
Hickley, England --
Members of the local By Margaret Treff Rose 4535
soccer team will be
hypnotized before their It’s all water under the
game of Easter Tuesday bridge now but it is an
against Birmingham, amusing incident just the
Hypnotist Richard Payne same. It seems that several
will put the players under weeks ago the Red Wing
his influence and give manager sent for Bradford J.
them the “will to win.” Angers, our local magician
and hypnotist and asked his
advice on hypnotizing the
team to give them the will to
win. He had read about such
a thing being done in
England. Although, as Brad
explained to him, it could be
done -- it was dangerous
because the players would
over-exert themselves and ill
effects might result. What is
coming to the future of sports
when hypnotism offers the
solution to super-human
strength?
Mark Beltaire
BRAD ANGERS, of the Detroit
Institute of Technology, thought
that a dose of mass hypnotism,
administered by himself, might
be just the thing to revive the That’s why only some pep-
skidding Red Wings. But after restoring miracle can help Detroit
seeing them in action against
Toronto, he decided there is now. They’ve still got the spirit
nothing wrong with their will to and morale to win a game or even
win. The Wings are just fagged the Cup, but they don’t have to
out.
strength to do it.

9. “Perhaps there is a Great Power which has ordained
than we shall not contact Houdini,” I said, adding
that the group would try next year.
‘There were 13 persons in the candle-lighted room
as the seance began.”
*****
FRANK AMAND, a personal friend of Houdini
put on a demonstration with a pair of cuffs used 23
years ago in Detroit. by Houdini.
The handcuffs were placed on a round table along
with a cowbell, two slates and a paper bag containing
a piece of clothesline rope. We rook seats ad touched
fingers to form a magic circle.
Lee pleaded for the spirit of Houdini to manifest
itself by ringing the bell,, writing on the slates or
tying a know in the rop
“We are waiting to hear from you,” Lee implored.
Seven who participated in the Halloween seance examine “We would appreciate hearing from you.”
props used in attempting to entice the spirit of Houdini, They The slates remained blank, the bell didn’t ring and
are, left to right, Sgt. Herbert German, Charles Worpell, Kim the rope was untied.
Lee, Frank Kelly, Arthur Dwery, Bradford J. Angers and Frank We are still waiting.
Brad on stage Vanity Theater Amand. FREE PRESS, Monday, Nov. 1, 1948
DETROIT
Houdini Again Fails to Contact Friends Tries to Recall
BY SAM PEPTIC
Houdini Spirit
Free Press Staff Write
Bradford J. Angers, 13110 Evanston, was one of
Harry Houdini again stood up his Detroit friends.
five magicians who sought to recall the spirit of
The world-famous escape artist failed to return from the spirit
Houdini back from the grave at midnight Halloween
world despite an elaborate invitation to make himself known
in the Tuller Hotel.
midnight Halloween, the 22 anniversary of his death in Detroit.
Harry Houdini world famous escape artist, died 22
Although he exposed many spiritualist during his life, Houdini
years go on Halloween. He promised he would try to
had promised too do his utmost return after his death.
return after his death.
But, says Brad sadly, while all the props were on
SEVEN DETROIT magician including Sgt. Herbert German, the
hand, Houdini failed to make an appearance.
Police Department, and the reporter met at the Tuller Hotel in an
attempt to contact the mater. We heard and saw nothing.
“Let us not say that we have failed,” Kim Lee (known also as Helps Y. M. C. A.
Alexander the Great), announced at the end of the seance. … Many of Detroit’s prominent business men have
(continued top right) willingly agreed to cooperate in National YMCA
Week by sponsoring mature groups, hiking,
fishing and outdoor crafts. A Shorian, Bradford J.
Angers, is also doing his part by conducting a
class in magic for the boys who are interested in
learning at the hand is quicker than the eye.

10. s tage an d w ou ld b e p u t i n th e M an y m ay b e p u t u n d e r w i th n o
m e d i cal offi ce . d i ffi cu lty w h ats oe ve r. T h i s b y n o m e an s i s
I n fact, An ge rs h as u s e d th e art --- gove rn e d b y th e i r i n te lli ge n ce . T h e
u n d e r th e m ore e x act ti tle of "ap p li e d i n te lli ge n t are ju s t as m u ch , i f n ot m ore ,
p s ych ology" or "s le e p s u gge s ti on " --- s u s ce p ti b le th an th e u n i n te lli ge n t.
to as s i s t a D e troi t ob s te tri ci an i n “E ve n th os e th at d o n ot s u ccu m b at on ce
ch i ld b i rth s . can b e h yp n oti z e d b y con ti n u ati on of
F rom p e rs on al ob s e rvati on , h e tre atm e n t.”
fi n d s ap p li e d p s ych ology valu ab le i n Pe rs on s u n d e r th e i n flu e n ce of alcoh ol
th e alle vi ati on of p ai n . are d i ffi cu lt to p u t u n d e r b e cau s e th e y are
H e ob s e rve d : n ot ab le to con ce n trate s u ffi ci e n tly.
"T h e re are th os e w h o go on (h e An ge rs as s e rte d th at th e re i s n o h arm
s tage an d p u t on a ri otou s act b y i n h yp n oti s m i ts e lf an d th at a p e rs on
h avi n g p e op le s w at i m agi n ary b e e s w h e n “p u t u n d e r” w ou ld n ot d o an yth i n g
or b ark li k e d ogs . H ow e ve r, th i s h e w ou ld n ot d o w h i le i n h i s n orm al s tate
com e d y w ou ld ove rs h ad ow th e m ore of m i n d . H e ad vi s e d , n e ve rth e le s s , th at
s e ri ou s th i n gs th at can he p e rs on s re fu s e d to b e h yp n oti z e d b y
accom p li s h e d i n th e m e d i cal fi e ld s .” an yon e th e y d o n ot k n ow or w h os e
"Alm os t e ve ry fi e ld of m e d i ci n e b ack grou n d th e y d o n ot k n ow .
ri gh t n ow i s s h ow i n g m ore i n te re s t H e w ou ld li k e to “ge t h yp n oti s m ou t of
th an e ve r b e fore I n th e fi e ld of th e h an d s of p e rs on s n ot q u ali fi e d to u s e
h yp n oti s m . H yp n oti s m s u ffe rs i t.”
b e cau s e th e p u b li c clas s i fi e s i t w i th A q u ali fi e d p e rs on , i n h i s op i n i on ,
m agi c, b u t i t far, far aw ay from th at w ou ld re q u i re cou rs e s i n b as i c p s ych ology
clas s i fi cati on .” an d a b as i c u n d e rs tan d i n g of h u m an
B rad ford , w h o i s s tayi n g w i th h i s an atom y.
b roth e r Jam e s , an d fam i ly, at 2 32 43 U s i n g h i s ow n cas e as an e x am p le , h e
D ore m u s D r., re ce n tly re tu rn e d from p oi n te d ou t th at th e re i s n ot at p re s e n t
m e d i cal w ork i n th i s fi e ld i n th e an y s ch ool w h e re th e s u b je ct can b e
S ou th w e s t. le arn e d s tri ctly b y te x tb ook --- alth ou gh
H e i s cu rre n tly, “w ork i n g w i th ” tw o h e h as s tu d i e d s core s of b ook s an d oth e r
m e d i cal m e n to i n s tru ct th e m i n th e li te ratu re i n th e fi e ld . T h e re i s n o
Bradford J. Angers re cogn i z e d m e d i cal d e gre e , an d ye t h i s
Shores Man Sees
art, an d s oon w i ll ad d fi ve m ore . T h e
i n s tru cti on --- h e p re fe rs to s ay fri e n d s i n m e d i ci n e h ave as k e d h i m to
Hypnotism Closely “w ork i n g w i th ” m e d i cos b e cau s e “p as s on ” th e i n form ati on h e h as le arn e d
th e y p os s e s s a n atu ral b ack grou n d d i re ctly to th e m n ow rath e r th an go aw ay
Linked to Medicine for “con s ci ou s s u gge s ti on ” an d a
k n ow le d ge of an atom y --- i s d on e i n
to s p e ci al s ch ools . (B u t h e p lan s to
acq u i re on e or m ore d e gre e s i n ti m e .)
BY WILLIAM E. KENNEDY e ach d octor’s ow n offi ce at h i s ow n S om e of h i s fi n e s t trai n i n g i n p racti ci n g
Monitor--Leader Staff Reporter th e art, an d i n ab s orb i n g p ri n ci p le s an d
con ve n i e n ce .
ST. CL A I R SH OR E S --- I f B rad ford J. An ge rs h ad An ge rs n ote d th at a D e troi t d e n ti s t th e ory, cam e from E d Wolfe , of N e w York
h i s w ay,'h yp n oti s m w ou ld b e tak e n off th e i s als o m ak i n g u s e of th i s k n ow le d ge an d Ch i cago.
vau d e vi lle to alle vi ate p ai n . I t’s a s k i ll on e can ’t le arn s ole ly from

11. No sensible adult would take a capsule (not Hindu Fakirs, placing an entire audience in a
THE HERALD knowing its contents) from someone they hypnotic trance. Thus is impossible. It is NOTE: Self
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1949 knew nothing about. Likewise, a person possible, however, to place a large portion of a hypnosis program
should not submit to hypnosis without being group in a light sleep.
in the below article
fully aware of the background of the Auto-suggestion is the most applicable form
Shorian Describes Scope hypnotist. of hypnotism as it is easily mastered by the was Written by
of Present-Day Hypnotism No normal person can be hypnotized average person. I shall not go into auto- Bradford Angers,
against his will. It is only the person who is in suggestion (self-hypnosis) no, as I intent to Dallas Hypnosis
By BRADFORD J. ANGERS need of the results hypnotherapy can offer cove it more fully in a late article. and student at
(This is the second in a series of articles and who is willing to submit to the will of the Detroit Institute of
“dealing with various aspects of the value operator who can be hypnotized. Technology.
of hypnosis in modern psychology. the Hypnosis can be as easily overrated as
author, who lives at 23243 Doremus, St. underrated. Actually, it is a natural science
Clair Shores, is working toward degrees at dealing with mental and physical action; and
Detroit Institute of Technology.) the exercise of the power is the result of a
I have often been asked what is natural endowment which all are capable of
hypnotism, how is it applies and who can developing.
learn it? Let’s take these questions one at a Post-hypnotic suggestion is perhaps the
time. most wonderful pat of hypnotherapy. by this
Hypnotism, scientifically speaking, is a medium a subject can be caused to realizing
method of inducing state resembling sleep he has been ordered to do so by the hypnotist.
in which the mind readily responds to It is this phase of hypnotism that is most
external suggestion. This is done by valuable in the termination of bad habits.
carefully selected suggestion which are put While under the influence of hypnotism a
to the subject in a well defined order. subject will no ordinarily carry out a
Far superior to its predecessor, command or suggestion which violates his
mesmerism (to charm or fascinate), which religious beliefs, moral scruples or habitual
produced an unnatural or nervous state dignity.
resembling a trance or sleep, hypnotism is Cases of instantaneous hypnosis such as the
rapidly proving itself in many fields snap of a finger, etc., are rare without the
including medicine. benefit of previous suggestion.
Just as the mystery surrounding drugs is Ruling out the possibility of an organic
being swept away, the veil should be lifted problem, a hypnotized person will drift into a
from hypnotism. As recent news stories normal sleep and awaken of his own accord.
have shown, hypnotism, even in the hands Mass hypnotism is nothing more than
of a physician, can be as dangerous as ordinary hypnosis on a large scale. You may
loaded gun. If he is not capable of good have read about
moral judgment.

12. 30 - C THE DETROIT TIMES
Tues., Oct. 5 1948 Hypnotic Spell Hypnosis Wins
OUR CHATTERBOX …Cont.
Acclaim
T IM E S ST. CLAIR SHORES --
Hypnotism is Innovation THAT’S THE DAY they’ll first Wyan d otte n e w s p ap e rm e n
meet a well known hypnotist,
to Fraternity Pledging an d a fam ou s m e n tal
as well as receiving long lists te le p ath i s t cre d i te d
By Vera Brown By Elizabeth Knox of do’s and don’ts which they B rad ford J. An ge rs , of th i s
must follow during their com m u n i ty, w i th a
Magic Town: Pledges of a certain fraternity pledge period. s u p e ri or d e m on s trati on of
at the Detroit Institute of Warning signals have h yp n oti s m M on d ay n i gh t.
What a town this is, sys Harold
Technology are shaking in their already been sent up for the F ran ci s R . S h i e ld s , N e w
Hoffman, New Yorker born and
bred, who came here for the AMA boots as they embark on eight neophytes by Pledge-
York e r k n ow n as “D u n b ar,
th e M an w i th th e X -R ay
convention and stayed on to conduct weeks of pledging. master William Ohst. M i n d ,” w as q u ote d b y
some personal business. And they have a worse case of If Lord Hypni, as he’s D avi d E lli s , Wyan d otte
He stopped on the Kinsel corner to the jitters than most fraternity known to his fraternity n e w s p ap e rm an , as gi vi n g
bay a paper, just as a grimy faced lad pledges because they’re brothers casts his hypnotic “on e of th e fi n e s t”
of around 12 dropped a penny into wondering just how they can spell on the lowly pledges it’s h yp n oti s m d e m on s trati on s
the outside gum machine there. avoid Lord Hypni and his a sure bet they’ll be servants of s e ve ral th ou s an d h e h as
Nothing happened. The kid hypnotic power. of the actives during the s e e n i n th e U n i te d S tate s
pounded, shook and beat the In addition to the traditional weeks of bowing down to an d E u rop e .
machine. Still no gum. Just then up
fun of pledging, actives of their masters, learning the S h i e ld s w as p re s e n te d
stepped a well dressed and dignified
fellow to the rescue.
Gamma chapter of Alpha pledge manual, attending
b e fore a grou p of D e troi t
m agi ci an s , u p on i n vi tati on
He tapped the machine lightly Gamma upsilon fraternity have special meetings each week of K i m K e e , an d p re s e n te d
with his fingers, out came the stick a few sly new tricks up their and participating in pledge h is m e n tal te le p ath y
of gum. sleeves. parties. rou ti n e , follow e d b y a
“Gee, mister, you must be a On Monday, when pledges d i s cou rs e on th e fe as i b i li ty
magician!” said the boy as he made a gather at the college for their of m e n tal te le p ath y as a
dive for his gun. The man reached initial informal ceremony they’ll gu i d e to e ve ryd ay li vi n g.
into his pocket, handed the boy his get a taste of what’s in store for He als o d i s cu s s e d
card. them. h yp n oti s m as com p are d
It read” Bradford J. Angers,
…….Continue next column w i th m e n tali s m .
magician and hypnotist.
Hoffman doesn’t know yet whether
the gum came out of the machine or
out of Anger’s sleeve. …..

13. Master Hypnotist, Bradford Angers
states with conviction, …..
“HYPNOTISM IS NOT MAGIC”
Versed in the relations of hypnosis Extensive psychological
to crime, he has been invited by experimentation in the field of
Deputy Chief Neale of the Windsor color hypnosis, Angers points
police to present a lecture out, 'indicates that the generally
demonstrating methods by which accepted colors cause a definite
crime could be and has been reaction on the human
perpetrated by hypnotism. organization, although the
In an interview, Angers declared the the reaction may vary considerably
average person I will be surprised to in individual cases.
learn that the method of hypnotic IT HAS BEEN found in most
exploitation does not conflict with cases that blue soothes, red
religious factors. infuriates green rests and white
All Can Be Hypnotized, Shorian “Having Discussed hypnosis with
many officials of various churches I have
attracts. The subject will be
elaborated in subsequent
Says found that it only conflicted where the articles appearing in the Herald.
belief in God or one's morals was Other topics to appear in the
Any normal person is subject to hypnosis, according attacked or challenged summarized Herald include Psychological
to Bradford J. Angers of 23243 Doremus. "Only those Angers. He has found that through the Application of Color,
who are feeble-minded or mentally deficient are not medium of scientific study he has been Understanding Hypnosis,
subject to the influence of an accomplished able to strengthen his religious faith Hypnosis and Child Birth and
practitioner of the phenomenon of hypnotism," l because he has discovered, "as many Parallel Ethics in Science and
asserts Angers, who is a psychology major at the other scientists have in the past and will Religion.
Detroit Institute of Technology. in the future, that the further one goes in
WINDSOR audience attending the Canadian a science the more he must resort to the
premiere of the Orson Welles’ film, "Black Magic,"I belief in a Supreme Being."
were startled and intrigued by Angers' demonstrations The Rev. Stanley Murphy, C. S. B., of
of mass hypnosis. Especially anxious to avoid the Assumption College, noted that
stigma of being categorized as a vaudeville Angers' method of exploitation was
entertainer, he has been emphasizing teaching and both "noteworthy and timely." As a
lecturing on hypnotism. result, the hypnotist may be asked to
appear on the Christian Culture
lecture series.

14. ONTARIO, TUESDAY, In a recent interview, Rev. Stanley
AUGUST 30, 1949 Murphy, C.S.B., of Assumption College,
stated Mr. Angers' method of exploitation Clubs to Mark
The was both noteworthy and timely. As a
result, though no definite date has been Optimists Week
Theatre set, the hypnotist may appear on the
Christian Culture Lecture Series. He has
And Its also been invited to give an informal Members of the Grosse Pointe
lecture to Assumption students. Optimist and Kiwanis Clubs will join
People Mr. Angers, who has taught and given forces this week for their annual
consultation to members of' the medical
observance of National Optimist
BRADFORD J. ANGERS profession, expresses a I strong desire
that the peoples of [the world accept Week.
By Annie Oakley Highlight of the week will be a
hypnosis and its I allied sciences with the
HYPNOTISM lecture and demon- stration of
enthusiasm that the younger generation
One of Windsor's most interesting
of professional men have already begun hypnotism by Bradford J. Angers
visitors at the moment is Bradford J.
Angers, hypnotist. to show. noted lecturer and psychologist,
He has consented to give a Tuesday at 20135 Mack.
A native of the United States, Mr.
demonstration of hypnosis and its relation The Optimists now have 1100 clubs
Angers is now working toward degrees
to crime. In this demonstration which was in operation throughout the United
at the Detroit Institute" of Technology.
enthusiastically welcomed by Deputy
He has studied hypnosis, psychology State, Canada ad Mexico, whose
Chief Neale of the Windsor Police
(applied and abnormal), anatomy, primary function is working with
Department, Mr. Angers will lecture,
physiology, sociology, Christian ethics, delinquent boys.
define and demonstrate some of the
ethics of the professions (medical, legal
various ways in which crime could be and
and so forth). He is also versed in the
has been perpetrated. He will instruct the
field of child psychology, having studied
officers in the art of detecting a
under Prof. James E. Stermer, noted
hypnotized person, also la tempered
child guidance' counselor. Versed,
instruction in the application of the art
likewise, in the ethics and
and, most important, understanding of
understanding of the" world's religions,
how to awaken a hypnotized subject. This
Christian, Jewish, Moslem, Hindu.
demonstration will be given as a public
These subjects he has studied under
service.
Prof. Shotwell.
Mr. Angers states very emphatically that
Mr. Angers has had the advantage
hypnosis is not to be under-rated. In the
of traveling through many countries in
hands of a qualified individual hypnosis is
both our western and eastern worlds.
a marvelous implement of good, but in the
These travels, together with his military
hands of an unscrupulous or uneducated
experience in World War II, have aided
person it could be a " dangerous and
him in his understanding of the people
potential weapon for any evil that might
he would have to deal with in later life.
be conceived. It is for this reason
He insists, emphatically, that he IS not
hypnosis must be understood and the
a vaudeville stage performer. His work
person who casually says "no one can
deals largely with teaching and
hypnotize me," must be educated to the
lecturing on hypnotism. Its exploitation NOTICE: This Assemblage of Photos and articles
understanding that all men are
and experimentation have been his are for family viewing only, No reproduction of
susceptible, as it is their under-, standing
primary objectives. any part without written permission. Not to be
of the subject that will limit its use for
good or evil. Sold or distributed in any form.