... of documentary The Happy Medium
Doris Stokes , Spiritualist superstar, has publicly demonstrated to the satisfaction of many thousands that there is life after death, and that we can contact those who have 'passed over'. At private sittings, in Spiritualist churches, in theatres and cinemas, the homely
65-year-old medium chatters away to the dead as if they were her next-door neighbours. Doris Stokes is not clairvoyant - she doesn't see things, become possessed or go into a trance. She claims to be clairaudient - like a radio receiver tuning in to the other side, picking up the voices of the dead, and passing on their messages to the living.
The sceptic will undoubtedly detect some sleight of hand, but to her followers (mostly women) who are shattered by grief, and who have failed to come to terms with bereavement by more conventional forms of religion or philosophy, Doris Stokes brings good tidings of comfort and joy, and a more solid contentment than can be purchased with a bottle of tranquillisers.
Film cameraman ALEX HANSEN Film recordist RON MCMORRAN Film editor ERIC BROWN
Executive producer ROGER MILLS Producer MICHAEL CASEY