Shows how important luck can be in a person's life.
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.
Who's Superstitious?
1943
5
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.
The Face Behind the Mask
1938
5
This entry in MGM's Passing Parade series looks at the meaning of dreams, including one by Abraham Lincoln that foretold his death.
Dreams
1940
5
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.
This Is the Bowery
1941
5
In this John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short, a look is taken at the problems of film preservation efforts in the 1930s and early 1940s.
The Film That Was Lost
1942
8
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.
Strange Testament
1941
5
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.
Souvenirs of Death
1948
6
This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short tells the story of Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite, and later established the Nobel Prize.
The Story of Alfred Nobel
1939
6
Part of John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series, this short shows how three seemingly unimportant things can affect people. The first is how the number 7 affects a student accused of theft charges. The second segment shows that a person's doodles can reveal personality traits. The final segment shows why certain items are on men's suits, such as lapels.
Trifles of Importance
1940
6
This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short takes a look at the typical American barbershop throughout the years.
The Great American Mug
1945
6
This MGM Passing Parade series short tells the story of Clara Barton, the founder of the Red Cross.
Angel of Mercy
1939
6
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.
Yankee Doodle Goes to Town
1939
0
Eight single men, full of hope, departed on a long journey to Moscow to pursue luck. How strong is their faith that salvation could be in a woman? And what could a woman do for love? The Pursuit of Luck is a documentary film consisting of three stories (Hope, Faith and Love) in which the destinies of the main protagonists intertwine in their efforts to find happiness.
Барајќи си ја среќата
2013
0
Americans are preoccupied with the news, but need an escape from many of the events reported in the news. These escapes in the past have included dime store novels. The most accessible of these escapes is what are known as the funny papers, the set of serialized comic strips that are included within many newspapers. They appeal to all socio-economic classes, and all ages. Some of the earliest known from the late 19th century include the Yellow Kid, Little Nemo, Happy Hooligan, the Katzenjammer Kids, Mutt & Jeff, and Bringing Up Father. Many cartoonists are seen in action. Some originated their characters, while others have taken over following the passing of the originator. The joy of many comic strips are the absurd and the fantastical, which are limited only by the imagination of the cartoonist. Others are grounded in reality, which add to their poignancy within the public mindset.
People on Paper
1945
6
This MGM John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series short takes a look at the origins of North American slang.
American Spoken Here
1940
0
This short film focuses on the mysterious and legendary Seri Indians who live in a utopian colony off the west coast of Mexico.
Utopia of Death
1940
0
This short film presents the story of Dr. Ephraim McDowell, who came under scrutiny for his pioneering of surgical practices.
One Against the World
1939
0
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 Way in the Wilderness
1940
0
A look at how the weather bureau tries to warn farmers and businessmen about approaching large storms. Although some precautions can be taken to lessen their impact, storms have to run their course, and there is really not much we can do about them.
Storm
1943
6
This short film shows how the war department utilizes a Ph.D., a chimp, and three dogs to help design aptitude tests for men applying for work.
Of Pups and Puzzles
1941
6