03 Nov 1945
Stairway to Light
This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short tells the story of 18th Century French physician Dr. Philippe Pinel, who initiated enlightened, humane treatment of the mentally ill.
The Golden Hunch
This entry in John Nesbitt's "Passing Parade" series is about the great moments in the lives of famous men who found found an answer or made a great discovery in the flash of a golden hunch.
Top Billed Cast
John Nesbitt Self - Narrator (voice)
Similar movies
Stairway to Light Stairway to Light Yankee Doodle Goes to Town 
Yankee Doodle Goes to Town 17 Jun 1939
Yankee Doodle Goes to Town
Made just before America would be forced into the Second World War, this short subject is a brief dramatized history of American democracy. It targets a perceived threat to democracy from board room and soapbox fascists who advocated a government based upon contemporaneous European models.
American Spoken Here 
American Spoken Here 30 Nov 1940
American Spoken Here
This MGM John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series short takes a look at the origins of North American slang.
The Story of Alfred Nobel 
The Story of Alfred Nobel 18 Feb 1939
The Story of Alfred Nobel
This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short tells the story of Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite, and later established the Nobel Prize.
The Hidden Master The Hidden Master 20 Apr 1940
The Hidden Master
Shows how important luck can be in a person's life.
The Face Behind the Mask 
The Face Behind the Mask 19 Mar 1938
The Face Behind the Mask
This dramatized short film describes the historical mystery of France's "man in the iron mask". King Louis XIV imprisoned a man who was never identified, but who was forced to wear an iron mask for the length of his captivity, which ended only in his death. Several candidates for the identity of the man are investigated.
Magic on a Stick 
Magic on a Stick 19 Jan 1946
Magic on a Stick
This MGM Passing Parade series short recounts how English chemist John Walker invented the wooden friction match during the 1820s.
We Do It Because We Do It Because 24 Jan 1942
We Do It Because
This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short explores the origins of various customs such as shaking hands, kissing, and why ships are christened.
One Against the World 
One Against the World 19 Aug 1939
One Against the World
This short film presents the story of Dr. Ephraim McDowell, who came under scrutiny for his pioneering of surgical practices.
The Seesaw and the Shoes 
The Seesaw and the Shoes 05 May 1945
The Seesaw and the Shoes
This short shows how two objects led to important discoveries. Children playing with a seesaw inspire French physician Rene Laennec to invent the stethoscope, and a pair of shoes made of caoutchouc lead Charles Goodyear to discover the process for vulcanizing rubber.
Souvenirs of Death Souvenirs of Death 19 Jun 1948
Souvenirs of Death
This MGM John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series short tells the story of how a Mauser pistol used on the battlefield by Germans during WWII makes its way into the hands of an American gangster.
Flag of Mercy 
Flag of Mercy 31 Jan 1942
Flag of Mercy
The 1939 dramatic short "Angel of Mercy," about Red Cross founder Clara Barton, is reedited to relate the story to America's involvement in World War II. Edited from Angel of Mercy (1939)
Dreams 
Dreams 10 Nov 1940
Dreams
This entry in MGM's Passing Parade series looks at the meaning of dreams, including one by Abraham Lincoln that foretold his death.
Angel of Mercy 
Angel of Mercy 20 May 1939
Angel of Mercy
This MGM Passing Parade series short tells the story of Clara Barton, the founder of the Red Cross.
A Lady Fights Back 
A Lady Fights Back 11 Nov 1944
A Lady Fights Back
The saga of the Normandie is recounted from her life as a luxury liner, the horrific fire that nearly destroyed her, and her resuscitation to join in the war effort. A John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short.
Forgotten Treasure 
Forgotten Treasure 24 Jul 1943
Forgotten Treasure
This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series short highlights the film preservation efforts of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Several scenes from early newsreels are shown.
Mr. Whitney Had a Notion Mr. Whitney Had a Notion 07 May 1949
Mr. Whitney Had a Notion
Historical short showing how Eli Whitney (best known for the invention of the cotton gin) played a significant role in the introduction of mass production techniques to the USA in the late 18th century.
Strange Testament Strange Testament 15 Nov 1941
Strange Testament
This MGM Passing Parade series short tells the story of Julian Poydras, whose encounter with a girl at Mardi Gras had a profound effect on his later life.
Madero of Mexico Madero of Mexico 28 Nov 1942
Madero of Mexico
This Passing Parade series short chronicles the political life of Francisco Madero, who tried to bring democracy and land reform to Mexico.
The Great American Mug 
The Great American Mug 06 Oct 1945
The Great American Mug
This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short takes a look at the typical American barbershop throughout the years.