We Do It Because
★ 6.5 · 1942 · 10m · History
This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short explores the origins of various customs such as shaking hands, kissing, and why ships are christened.
More Like This
Flag of Mercy
1942 · ★ 7.5
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)
More info →
Forgotten Treasure
1943 · ★ 7.3
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.
More info →
Strange Testament
1941 · ★ 7.5
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.
More info →Madero of Mexico
1942 · ★ 7
This Passing Parade series short chronicles the political life of Francisco Madero, who tried to bring democracy and land reform to Mexico.
More info →Mr. Whitney Had a Notion
1949 · ★ 6.3
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.
More info →
The Story of Alfred Nobel
1939 · ★ 7
This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short tells the story of Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite, and later established the Nobel Prize.
More info →
Angel of Mercy
1939 · ★ 7.7
This MGM Passing Parade series short tells the story of Clara Barton, the founder of the Red Cross.
More info →
Magic on a Stick
1946 · ★ 8
This MGM Passing Parade series short recounts how English chemist John Walker invented the wooden friction match during the 1820s.
More info →
American Spoken Here
1940 · ★ 9
This MGM John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series short takes a look at the origins of North American slang.
More info →Souvenirs of Death
1948 · ★ 7.3
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.
More info →
The Great American Mug
1945 · ★ 7.3
This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short takes a look at the typical American barbershop throughout the years.
More info →