Edgar Allan Pooh . . . circa the 1760s, with this tale ripped from Yesteryear's headlines, BEDLAM. "It's a bad time for the Poor, and the People suffer," observes Quaker stonemason William Hannay (22:20). "You have no idea what a great responsibility it is to be Rich," replies wigged Fat Cat One Per Center Lord Mortimer, launching into an itemized list of tailored clothes, manicures, spa treatments, and gourmet feasts washed down with rare wines "needed to keep up appearances." BEDLAM heroine Nell Bowen responds "Maybe being Rich and Powerful is infectious--it's a disease I don't want to catch!" (26:30). When BEDLAM "Apothecary General" Master Sims is forced by the insane asylum inmates to defend his decades of torturing, caging, whipping, chaining, and murdering them (as well as stealing their food), Sims notes that he's been afraid to offend his Rich patrons because they've allowed him to create more Heaven for himself on Earth than he expects to enjoy in the Hereafter. BEDLAM, therefore, argues that True Believers such as Bill Hannay must--by definition--be Poor, while Rich folks can fully expect to reap the whirlwind, as they are consistently warned throughout the scriptures.

utgard14 Bedlam is the ninth and last of the influential films producer Val Lewton made at RKO in the 1940s. Unlike most of those other films, Bedlam is less of a horror film than a historic drama. Oh there are horrors, to be sure. But they are horrors of the natural variety; the evil that men do to each other. No supernatural themes here, nor any of the trademark Lewton plot ambiguities. Perhaps this is why it is the Lewton film I rewatch the least, despite my affinity for Boris Karloff. Make no mistake, it's a strong film and an overlooked one, with an excellent performance by Karloff. But it doesn't have quite as much appeal to me as more multilayered Lewton films.The story is about a young woman named Nell (Anna Lee) who is a "protégé" to wealthy Lord Mortimer (Billly House). Nell becomes disgusted by the way the inmates at Bedlam asylum are being treated and tries to bring about reforms to the system. This puts her at odds with Bedlam's cruel master George Sims (Boris Karloff). To silence her, Sims conspires with Lord Mortimer to have Nell committed to Bedlam.Mark Robson's direction is great and the cast is wonderful. In addition Karloff, Anna Lee gives what is probably her finest performance as a leading lady. Billy House is pitch-perfect as Lord Mortimer. Solid script from Val Lewton. Lewton wrote the screenplay (under a pen name) but gave a writing credit to William Hogarth, an 18th century artist. Lewton was inspired to do the film by one of Hogarth's prints. Normally this would not be enough to give someone even a "suggested by" writing credit. But perhaps Lewton's experience with The Ghost Ship had made him more sensitive about being accused of stealing ideas. Several of Hogarth's prints are shown in the film.Bedlam is a good film with some atmosphere and tension. Fans of Karloff or Lewton should check it out, of course. It's not my favorite film from either but it's good.

PoppyTransfusion A society of loose morals beneath and cruelty and indifference atop where the deaths of the mentally ill are as no more than the blink of an eye. This is the setting for the film and Hogarth's sketches are used as chapter headings throughout.A woman kept as a jester by Lord Mortimer, Nell Bowen, has a chance meeting with a Quaker outside an infamous mental institution, St Mary of Bethelhem's Asylum. The Quaker notes in Nell kindness and courage towards the mentally ill she has just visited: tuppence gained entry to laugh and mocked the afflicted. The meeting catalyses a change in Nell and she soon throws off Lord Moritmer and strikes out to reform treatment at the asylum, which is under the rule of a monstrous manipulator called Simms, Boris Karloff at his dastardly best. Simms connives to have Nell sectioned and she ends up in the bedlam that is the asylum, however he underestimates the affect Nell will have on the place and its incarcerated inhabitants.A witty film that will always be relevant as treatment of the mentally ill and the most vulnerable remains an ongoing issue. It is well acted by all and although the plot is perhaps predictable there are lots of quirks along the way that make it interesting including the fate of Simms ...

minamurray Unlike most horror films of 1940's, this movie, written by producer Val Lewton and director Mark Robson, does not show escapist monster rally - like atmospheric and well-made films from Universal - but something truly disturbing: human's cruelty to other humans. It is 18th century England and Bedlam, real-life institution for mentally ill, is hell on Earth (a bit like concentration camp in North Korea, minus human experiments). Quick-tempered actress (Anna Lee) opposes mercilessly sadistic warden (Boris Karloff) and depraved treatment of mentally ill, and she is soon endangered herself. Nice costumes, sets and props and (unfortunately) timeless and powerful message for need of human treatment for people with mental health problems, even if they are violent.