John Nesbitt

Sunny-sweet the prune shows us how prunes are made from certain kinds of plums, why they're so good for you, and, in live action, some recipes made with prunes. As a subplot, he also explains why California prunes are better than those from the Pacific Northwest and other areas. (Of course, Sunny may be a bit biased, since this film was sponsored by a California organization of prune growers). (imdb)

On November 7, 1872, the merchant ship Mary Celeste was found abandoned. There was no indication of any trouble on board; all cargo was intact; the food stores were not disturbed. The last page of the ship's log was missing. This short explores the many theories that were put forth as possible explanations of the mystery. (imdb)

Short film about the man in the iron mask - who was he? Mattioli? Fouquet? The twin brother of Louis XIV? (BFI.org.uk)

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. (imdb)

Set in Paris during the French Revolution, it tells the story of Philippe Pinel and his efforts in pointing out that the mentally-ill should not be treated as animals. (wikipedia)

Based on H.C. Andersen's classic short story, a little girl try to keep herself warm by lighting her matches. She then enter a magical land, meeting Santa and dancing snowmen.

Following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, America was rife with rumors about the size of Japan's armed forces and how well-equipped they were to wage war against the US. The first part of this film dispels these rumors by showing that the US had more raw materials and more fighting ships. The narrator also cautions moviegoers against spreading rumors and believing everything they read in the newspapers. Just because "they say" something, that doesn't make it true. (imdb)

This short tells the story of Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis (1818-1865), a Hungarian physician. He was the first to realize that the deaths of new mothers could be significantly reduced simply by requiring doctors to wash their hands before treating a patient. (imdb)

A nation preparing for war must match people with jobs they can do well. This film shows how a Ph.D., a chimp, and three dogs help design aptitude tests for men applying for work. The tests, developed by researchers using the ape and the dogs, help a psychometrist to distinguish the physical dexterity, emotional stability, and problem solving abilities of three job applicants in order to match the men to the right role in the military buildup.

Short documentary film about the Dumbarton Oaks plan and the proposed formation of the United Nations. (imdb)

set in World War II has a factory owner who produces the breech block for a key piece of army artillery. The military wants to increase production by 50% but they can barely meet their production targets as it is. Going to a third shift in the plant will need manpower, 500 in total, that is sorely missing due to the number of men in the military. The film then looks at the town's main street seeing where the workforce might come from. (imdb)

The film begins in the spring of 1940, just before the Nazi occupation of the Benelux countries, and ends immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It chronicles how the people of "Main Street America", the country's military forces, and its industrial base were completely transformed when the decision was made to gear up for war. Original footage is interspersed with contemporary newsreels and stock footage. (imdb)

In this somewhat whitewashed documentary on Manhattan's Bowery a newcomer to the area takes his first step toward redemption after a meal, bed, and inspiring talk. (imdb)

This short tells of the Nazi's efforts to shut down an underground resistance newspaper in occupied Belgium. (imdb)

Narrator John Nesbitt laments the disappearance of the rural one-room schoolhouse in America. He reminisces about his own days as a student in such a school and how his teacher, Miss Turlock, influenced so many students. Many of them reunite at the school on Miss Turlock's last day, when the school was closed in 1940. (imdb)

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 man recovers his lost memories when he is forced to relive events in his dreams.

A film recreating a broadcast of the Westinghouse Radio Program starring John Charles Thomas and John Nesbitt. Program narrator was Gayne Whitman and musical director was Victor Young. The Ken Darby Chorus backed up the great American baritone.

A look at the typical barbershop today and in the bygone days.

This short film examines the origins of several superstitions including crossing your fingers, knocking on wood, rabbit's feet, and breaking champagne bottles to christen ships, plus the role of superstitions in the Flying Dutchman tale. IMDB

Shows how important luck can be in a person's life.

In this John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short, a man traces his history by the succession of cars his father owned.

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.

A history of comic strips, with clips of various cartoonists at work.

Part of MGM's John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series, this 1943 entry looks at how three inventions are making a major contribution to the U.S. war effort. The first is the invention of celluloid when the makers of cue balls used in billiards issued a call for a replacement for the ivory they had been using up to time.

This Passing Parade series entry looks at the origins of Mother Goose and three popular nursery rhymes.

This short film highlights the film preservation efforts of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, particularly in archiving documentary footage of historical events for future generations.

A policeman's son searches for a suitable subject for an essay about an important person.

The story of Dr. Anton Mesmer, the man who discoverd hypnotism.

The story of a gun, and how it made its way from a battlefield in Germany during WW2 to the American underworld.

This short dramatizes how three disparate events in history contributed to the adoption of three of the amendments in the United States Bill of Rights.

This film chronicles the short political life of Francisco Madero (1873-1913), who tried to bring democracy and land reform to Mexico.

A look at the problems of film preservation efforts in the 1930s and 1940s. Focuses on MOMA's efforts which commenced on August 8, 1935. It illustrates the problems with celluloid stock. It emphasizes early newsreel clips of world leaders. We are shown early footage of King George V, The Kaiser, Queen Victoria, Theodore Roosevelt and others.

This short explores the origins of various customs such as shaking hands, kissing, and why ships are christened.

This short shows how gossip can be used to spread propaganda or ruin a person's reputation. The story focuses on a businessman who spearheads a drive to tear down slums to make room for low-cost public housing. His opponents seize upon a small bit of truth and twist it to turn public opinion against him. The narrator warns moviegoers to be skeptical of rumors, especially during wartime.

John Nesbitt's "Passing Parade" purports to show how the behavior of mice can be studied in relation to the interaction of school children.

This Passing Parade entry tells the story of Dr. Joseph Goldberger (1874-1929), a Hungarian immigrant who devoted his life to finding the cause of pellagra, a disease that killed hundreds of thousands in the southern United States. Although the medical community believed that the condition was caused by a virus, Goldberger proved that a healthy diet was the cure.

A look at American slang. The origins of a number of familiar expressions are explored, including "mind your Ps and Qs", "kick the bucket", "I don't give a damn" (which started as 'dam'), and "pin money".

This entry in MGM's Passing Parade series looks at the meaning of dreams, including one by Abraham Lincoln that foretold his death.

Story of Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross.

This short explains why Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, founded the prizes named after him.

This entry in John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series looks at the community of Mooseheart, a community in Illinois that is the home to orphaned children. (imdb)

This short tries to show that in some ways, the actors we see in the movies are just like us. They have mortgages to pay and families to raise. They also have interests and businesses not related to acting. Performers' faces are shown on the screen as the narrator tells of their non-show-business activities. Most of them are shown in quick excerpts from unidentified films. A few, such as Reginald Denny, Gail Patrick, and Dan Duryea are shown engaging in their outside pursuits.

Story of Julian Poydras, whose encounter with a girl at Mardi Gras had a profound effect on his later life.

Anthology series originally featured plays by host, John Nesbitt for season one. Beginning in September 1957, works from other authors were presented as well until series ended in April 1958. Frank Baxter hosted the third and final season. (imdb)

The story of John Peter Zenger, who was tried for sedition based on what he printed in his newspaper. His subsequent acquittal established the concept of freedom of the press. (imdb)

Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen devoted his life to helping victims of persecution from the Great War, then started a campaign for Russian emigres, later giving aid to the millions made homeless by the war between Greece and Turkey. (imdb)