Mr. Whitney Had a Notion (1949)
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.
Top billed cast
Lloyd BridgesEli Whitney
Erville AldersonThomas Jefferson
John NesbittNarrator (voice)
Howard NegleyMilitary Committee Man (as Howard J. Negley)
Harry HaydenSenatorial Committee Man
Mitchell LewisEli Whitney's Workman
Similar to Mr. Whitney Had a Notion
The Face Behind the Mask (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.
Dreams (1940)
This entry in MGM's Passing Parade series looks at the meaning of dreams, including one by Abraham Lincoln that foretold his death.
Flag of Mercy (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)
Madero of Mexico (1942)
This Passing Parade series short chronicles the political life of Francisco Madero, who tried to bring democracy and land reform to Mexico.
Strange Testament (1941)
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.
Forgotten Treasure (1943)
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.
The Film That Was Lost (1942)
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.
Souvenirs of Death (1948)
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.
The Story of Alfred Nobel (1939)
This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short tells the story of Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite, and later established the Nobel Prize.
Angel of Mercy (1939)
This MGM Passing Parade series short tells the story of Clara Barton, the founder of the Red Cross.
A Lady Fights Back (1944)
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.
The Hidden Master (1940)
Shows how important luck can be in a person's life.
The Great American Mug (1945)
This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short takes a look at the typical American barbershop throughout the years.
People on Paper (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.
The Story That Couldn't Be Printed (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.
American Spoken Here (1940)
This MGM John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series short takes a look at the origins of North American slang.
Magic on a Stick (1946)
This MGM Passing Parade series short recounts how English chemist John Walker invented the wooden friction match during the 1820s.
Utopia of Death (1940)
This short film focuses on the mysterious and legendary Seri Indians who live in a utopian colony off the west coast of Mexico.
Yankee Doodle Goes to Town (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.
A Way in the Wilderness (1940)
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.