Dr. Michael Dean
Chuck Wagon
When I was young my family would go to the Chuck Wagon on Midway for the all-you-can-eat 99 cent buffet. But on my sixth birthday my parents took me to the secret room there, the Gaslight Supper Club. They wanted me to see the world’s most famous hypnotist who had just returned home to San Diego from his sold out Vegas shows.
The smoke-filled room had wagon wheel chandeliers and red décor. My father thought it was classy but my mother said it was garish. My mom cut my steak for me but it was still hard to chew. I loved the mashed potatoes though. After I finished my Shirley Temple they let me eat the olives from their martinis.
The lights dimmed and my body tingled as Dr. Michael Dean strolled onto the stage dashing in his dark pompadour, broad smile and tuxedo. He asked for volunteers. I raised my hand really high and was upset he didn’t choose me as people got to run up and line the stage. His deep baritone voice kept repeating, “You feel heavy, go deeper, deeper and deeper into a sleep.”
His fingers snapped, eyelids fluttered and heads drooped down. I felt sleepy too but it was probably because it was way past my bedtime.
Dr. Dean commanded the people onstage to cluck like chickens. He told them to buck their heads and stamp their feet like ponies. I laughed so hard. Then he told them that everyone in the audience was naked. The women onstage covered their eyes. Leering men walked down into the aisles. I felt my face turn red and hid under the table because I didn’t want anyone to see me like that.
At the end of the show he invited those that needed help with a problem to stay behind. I wanted to but my mother said no because my brother teasing me wasn’t the type or big enough reason. I asked what would be, but she ignored me.
On the way home my parent’s argued whether Dr. Dean was a fake or really had the skills to make people do crazy things. Mom felt he was a phony and did it all for show and money but my father thought it was a science. I decided to choose for myself and boy did I believe.
This made me laugh and really wonder if he could really make people do that. You were probably sleepy because of the olives. Lol. Enjoyed it!
I also remember the Gaslight. Seems so very long ago. Postscript. I definitely believe in the power of hypnosis. Some day I will tell you about my experience with hypnosis helping me get over stage fright.
Dottie, I can’t wait to hear your own hypnosis story!
Carrie, I didn’t know olives made one sleepy. Glad you enjoyed this Dime Story!
I know for a fact that gin soaked olives can do that!
I remember Dr. Dean – but not until I was 21. Love that your parents took you when you were six. I thought he was a fake but never was quite sure. I also remember Chuck Wagon and the wagon wheel chandeliers. Thank you for bringing back the memories!!
Leslie, I’m so glad you remember him too! What a guy! In my research I discovered his real name was Sanford Berman a huge philanthropist here in San Diego. You might have heard of him!
Fun Story. Thank you for sharing.
Faith, And thank you for reading!
Love this story and want to read more!!
Linda, Thanks for the encouragement! I hope your writing is going well too.
Hi Cousin! It’s interesting how just the perception of being naked, even at that age, evokes a feeling of shame. I remember my mom bathing me in a tin tub on the patio down in Baja and feeling exposed. Somehow it was perceived as ok, because I was the youngest, and I played along because I didn’t want my embarrassment to show. Hypnosis is fascinating – the power of suggestion?
Carre, I remember family Baja camping trips but don’t remember you being bathed in the tin tub.
I remember my time on Dr. Dean’s stage, singing Mack the Knife like Bobby Daren with zero stage fright. I’m a believer.
Mike, I would have loved to have seen that!
Hey, are you still there ? I would not mind telling of my experience with Dr. Dean. And curious who else experienced the same.
Hi Mariane – This is the place to share your Dr. Dean experiences. Just press reply and start typing.
Boy, that brought back memories. We would go as a family and laugh so hard! I was fascinated with Dr. Dean. After moving away I’d come home on summer vacation and always find a chance to go with friends. Finally, my time came to go onstage and be hypnotized but was sent back to my seat as one of those who wouldn’t go under. In retrospect I was glad I didn’t embarrass myself as the show seemed to get more racy as I got older but always hysterical!
LOL!
Dr. Dean came to my high school once, and it was a pretty hilarious hour of entertainment! Loved reading about your experience.
I saw him in Los Angeles when Inwas 24 years. I found it scary and fascinating to think that someone could take over your mind to that level and hope that is was more of an act.
What a fun story to read, Jill! Having trained in hypnosis at Berkeley, going into a different state can make most people open to suggestions. Our hypnosis teachers taught us that people will not do any action that is against their morality. So movies where a person kills while under a hypnotic spell would be phony. I have used hypnosis as a relaxation tool and to reduce phobias in patients, but not for entertainment. Fascinating how the brain works!
Vincentia, Very interesting! Thanks for your perspective.
Hi Jill, I love this story and Yes, I remember Dr. Dean as well. I was “put under” once, but not by him. We were all given post-hypnotic suggestions and after the show as my husband and I were leaving, I couldn’t figure out why I just had to stop to get a drink at the water fountain. But I did.
Great story. I could really feel your discomfort and insatiable curiosity at the same time. Interesting to hear first hand the powers of persuasion from a hypnotist…
I worked there as a busser in the 70’s carrying dinners from the kitchen up the back stairs. I would hang out in the back watching the show after we cleared the tables. I remember Dean’s deep voice saying “Your eyes are sooooo heavy…”. Fun memory, thank you.
😂 Amazing
Jill, I was “put under” once so I’m a believer. I bet all those people seeing the audience naked were embarrassed afterwards. I’m afraid that at any age, I’d have been, A very funny story and the great thing is that I could just see you lapping up those olives,
Jill that is funny. Thanks for a good laugh.
Jill, thanks for bringing back some great memories. Over the years I went to see Dr. Dean over 40 times starting when he was at the Catamaran, then the Gaslight Room. A group of us would go as often as we could, being silly teens anyway. Seems that most times at least one of our group would make it onstage and be GREAT subjects. Personally, I never went up myself, I wanted to see what all the others would do instead. Most often we would go to the midnight show as it did seem to be the “racier” version, and Dr. Dean never failed to entertain us totally. My last chance to see him was when he appeared at a small club in Pacific Beach just prior to his “retiring” to Las Vegas. Was finally able to share him with my wife, who had never seen him. She loved it and finally understood why I talked about him often. Anyway Jill, I thank you for your story, and our shared experience enjoying Dr. Dean too!
Hi Jill and all. I too remember Dr. Dean….he was my father lol and he was very real. I miss him greatly. I am curious, though, how you got in at 6 years old as was an 18 and older show? Not that I didn’t get in but I was much older, 13 probably lol
Hi Michelle – How fun to hear from you! Thank you for reading my blog and for your comment. Your father was quite an entertainer and a wonderful man. I believe the Bonanza had an early family friendly show. Either that or my parents somehow got my brother and me in by pulling in some strings. How did you find your way to my blogpost?
I was doing a google search on my dad and ran across it from there