Cary Grant’s LSD Obsession
Betsy Drake was a successful New York stage actress who moved to Los Angeles at the urging of boyfriend Cary Grant. In 1948, she starred opposite Grant in her first film Every Girl Should Be Married. She and Grant married the following year. It was her first marriage and Grant’s third. Drake starred in several more films then put aside her career to focus on the marriage. In 1957, Grant traveled to Spain for the film The Pride and the Passion. He fell in love with co-star Sophia Loren. When he returned, Drake knew their marriage was over.
Drake fell into a deep depression. A friend told her about a new type of therapy involving a mysterious wonder drug. The chemical allowed patients to access their subconscious mind and release psychic wounds. Drake agreed to try the therapy. That night she had dinner with Grant, playwright Clifford Odets, and violinist Jascha Heifetz at Chasen’s. She told the three luminaries, “Tomorrow I am going to take LSD.” They had no idea what she was talking about.
The following day Drake met with Dr. Mortimer Hartman of the Psychiatric Institute of Beverly Hills. Dr. Hartman treated “garden variety neurotics” with guided LSD therapy sessions. He charged $100 a dose. The drug was legal as long as it was taken with a licensed therapist.
During Drake’s first LSD session she felt a “horrible crushing sensation” as she…
