By the mid 1800's Dr Esdaile (working in India) tried to introduce hypnosis to the Royal British College of Surgeons, his success was not as great. Their prejudice (ignorance educated) would not allow them to believe in the concepts. But by 1884 Hypnosis was being used all over Europe and even in the United States (by Prince & Sidis). Unfortunately, because Sigmond Freud couldn't get the hang of how to use it, hypnosis was left by the wayside again.

      With the onset of World War I & II, and a severe shortage of anaesthetic, the Doctors again used hypnosis to assist in battle field medicine. Soldiers requiring amputation in the field were hypnotized to reduce the stress of the procedure. Later, with Korea and Vietnam, the need for psychological help brought hypnosis back into favour again.

      As for Hollywood ...

      On a Cabaret stage the "subjects" all volunteered or were coerced by their friends to join the show. The ones being sent to their seats demonstrate that, no matter what anyone believes, the subject is in total control of their own minds. No one can be made to do what they do not want to do.

      The ones that remain are in it for the fun and entertainment that they will provide. Besides, they can blame it on Hypnosis or the hypnotist (another misconception). Everyone has a great laugh afterwards, including the subjects.

      Everyone has an imagination and anyone with an average level of intelligence can be hypnotized - if they want to be.

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