We Do It Because

Jan 24, 1942

0h 10m

★ 0.0

Overview

This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short explores the origins of various customs such as shaking hands, kissing, and why ships are christened.

Genres

History

Production Companies

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

We Do It Because Trailers

No Trailers found.

Cast

Narrator (voice)

John Nesbitt

Nancy's Husband (uncredited)

Mark Daniels

Lucretia Borgia (uncredited)

Ava Gardner

Man Dining with Lucretia Borgia (uncredited)

Tom Herbert

Officer on Santa Maria (uncredited)

Mitchell Lewis

Nancy (uncredited)

Dorothy Morris

Mutinous Sailor (uncredited)

Dick Rich

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.

6.0

Angel of Mercy

May 20, 1939

This MGM Passing Parade series short tells the story of Clara Barton, the founder of the Red Cross.

5.0

Dreams

Nov 10, 1940

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

5.4

The Face Behind the Mask

Mar 19, 1938

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.

6.5

The Great American Mug

Oct 6, 1945

This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short takes a look at the typical American barbershop throughout the years.

4.0

The Story That Couldn't Be Printed

Jul 22, 1939

This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short tells the story of John Peter Zenger, who in Colonial New York was tried for sedition based on what he printed in his newspaper.

0.0

American Spoken Here

Nov 30, 1940

This MGM John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series short takes a look at the origins of North American slang.

7.0

Stairway to Light

Nov 3, 1945

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.

0.0

The Seesaw and the Shoes

May 5, 1945

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.

0.0

Yankee Doodle Goes to Town

Jun 17, 1939

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.

6.0

People on Paper

Nov 17, 1945

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.

6.0

Magic on a Stick

Jan 19, 1946

This MGM Passing Parade series short recounts how English chemist John Walker invented the wooden friction match during the 1820s.

6.0

Madero of Mexico

Nov 28, 1942

This Passing Parade series short chronicles the political life of Francisco Madero, who tried to bring democracy and land reform to Mexico.

0.0

Flag of Mercy

Jan 31, 1942

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)