Steampunk fetishists, rejoice: Dr. George Taylor's steam-powered Manipulator – the world's first vibrator, and originally used as a cure for female "hysteria" in the late 1860s – is the inspiration behind Hysteria, a new film Tanya Wexler (director of Relative Evil and Finding North) will begin shooting in October.
Hugh Dancy will play a physician loosely based on Dr. Taylor, who falls for the daughter (the film stars Maggie Gyllenhaal) of one of his colleagues. The film will also star Rupert Everett and Jonathan Pryce, according to the Internet Movie Database.
Here's more on the film, currently in pre-production, via Variety.com:
"Dancy and Pryce will star as doctors in London treating cases of hysteria, a condition said to be characterized at the time by a woman's irritability, anger or unexplained tears. Dancy's character and his best friend, portrayed by Everett, experiment with a new electrical device for treatment for the ailment. Gyllenhaal portrays the daughter of Pryce's character."
For a look at some more modern vibrator technology, please check out some of my recent Sexy Toys reviews and articles. Here are some highlights:
Who needs steam power? Take the Sustainable Pleasure Hand-Crank Vibrator by Earth Angel with you if you're going off the grid.
The steam-powered Manipulator may have made for some hyseria-curing orgasms, but... could it synch to your iPod or respond to ambient noise from the speakers in the club? I think not. For that, you'll need the Freestyle or Club Vibe by OhMyBod
A handy new "patient interface" for my all-time favorite vibrator, to make Dr. Taylor blush: Have you seen the Axis Hitachi by Liberator, my pick for Sex Toy of the Year in the 2009 Sexaminer Awards?
A celeb-worthy vibrator glamourous enough for Maggie Gyllenhaal to use in real life: Check out the $2,750 Little Gold Eternity Vibrator by Jimmyjane (or the much more affordable Little Chroma, also by Jimmyjane, my go-to discrete travel vibe)
If Dr. Taylor had found his way to the G-spot with his Manipulator, he'd have really created some hysteria. Fortunately for you, there's the Gigi by LELO. Today's hysterical woman can also self-medicate with the thoughtfully camouflaged (and USB rechargeable) Mia Lipstick Vibrator, also by LELO
For more on the history of vibrators, "hysteria," and some curious contraptions devoted to female orgasm throughout history, check out Passion & Power: The Technology of Orgasm (out now on DVD) and the book that inspired it, by Rachel P. Maines.
Don't miss Sarah Estrella's previous Sexy Films reporting! For the latest Sex & Relationships headlines, please subscribe to this column (above) and follow @Sexaminer on Twitter.
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