Is the movie Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story (2019) based on a true story?

Yes, the movie Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story (2019) is based on the true story of Nellie Bly, a pioneering investigative journalist who went undercover in an insane asylum in order to expose the abuse and mistreatment of patients. Bly’s actual experiences were documented in her book “Ten Days in a Mad-House,” which was published in 1887.

What is the true story behind the movie Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story (2019)?

The movie “Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story” is based on the true story of Nellie Bly, a pioneering journalist who went undercover in a women’s asylum in New York City to expose the inhumane treatment of patients. Bly posed as a mentally ill patient and was admitted to the asylum, where she witnessed shocking abuses, including overcrowding, neglect, and physical abuse. After 10 days, Bly was released thanks to the help of a lawyer and her newspaper, the New York World, published a series of articles about her experiences, sparking widespread outrage and reform in the mental health system. The movie, while dramatized, portrays many of the events and challenges that Bly faced during her investigation and subsequent reporting.

Are there any books about the true story behind the movie Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story (2019)?

Yes, there are several books that explore the true story behind Nellie Bly and her investigative journalism. Here are a few notable ones:

1. “Ten Days in a Mad-House” by Nellie Bly: This is the original groundbreaking journalistic account written by Nellie Bly herself. In this book, she vividly describes her experiences of going undercover as a patient in a mental institution in order to expose the mistreatment of patients. It was published in 1887.

2. “Nellie Bly: Daredevil, Reporter, Feminist” by Brooke Kroeger: This biography delves into the life and career of Nellie Bly, highlighting her pioneering work as an investigative journalist in the late 19th and early 20th century. It provides context and background to the events portrayed in the movie and offers a detailed examination of Bly’s life.

3. “Madhouse: A Tragic Tale of Megalomania and Modern Medicine” by Andrew Scull: While not specifically focused on Nellie Bly, this book explores the history of mental institutions in the late 19th century. It provides a broader context for understanding the treatment of mental health patients during that era, which is central to Nellie Bly’s investigative work.

You can try an audible free trial and search for audiobook versions of those