Stairway to Light
Encyclopedia
Stairway to Light is a 1945 short drama film
directed by Sammy Lee
, and was one of John Nesbitt's
Passing Parade
series. 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. It won an Academy Award in 1946
for Best Short Subject (One-Reel).
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed by Sammy Lee
Sammy Lee
Sammy Lee may refer to:*Sammy Lee , expert in vitro fertilisation*Sammy Lee , Korean-American diver and two-time Olympic Games champion...
, and was one of John Nesbitt's
John Nesbitt (announcer)
John Nesbitt was an actor, narrator, announcer, producer and screenwriter born in Victoria, British Columbia, who died in Carmel, California...
Passing Parade
Passing Parade
The Passing Parade, a.k.a. John Nesbitt's Passing Parade, was an American radio series created, written, and narrated by John Nesbitt which was adapted into an Oscar-winning series of MGM short subjects...
series. Set in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
during the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, it tells the story of Philippe Pinel
Philippe Pinel
Philippe Pinel was a French physician who was instrumental in the development of a more humane psychological approach to the custody and care of psychiatric patients, referred to today as moral therapy...
and his efforts in pointing out that the mentally ill should not be treated as animals. It won an Academy Award in 1946
18th Academy Awards
The 18th Academy Awards was the first such ceremony after World War II. As a result, the ceremony featured more glamour than had been present during the war. Plaster statuettes that had been given out during the war years were replaced with bronze statuettes with gold plating...
for Best Short Subject (One-Reel).
Cast
- John NesbittJohn Nesbitt (announcer)John Nesbitt was an actor, narrator, announcer, producer and screenwriter born in Victoria, British Columbia, who died in Carmel, California...
as Narrator (voice) - Harry CordingHarry CordingHarry Cording was a British character actor who appeared in many Hollywood films from the 1920s to the 1950s. Due to his stocky build and imposing 6'0 height, he usually portrayed thugs and henchman to the main villain....
as Townsman in Montage (uncredited) - Lotte Palfi Andor as Supporting Role (uncredited)
- Dewey Robinson as Head Keeper - Man Wiping Pinel's Face (uncredited)
- Gene RothGene RothGene Roth was an American film actor. Born in Redfield, South Dakota, Roth was born Eugene Oliver Edgar Stutenroth...
as Hector Chevigny (uncredited) - Harry WilsonHarry Wilson (actor)Harry Wilson was an English character actor who appeared in over 200 films from 1928 to 1965.His distinctive facial features often led to him being cast as various henchmen, thugs, convicts and brawlers...
as Keeper Hosing Down Mental Patient (uncredited) - Wolfgang ZilzerWolfgang ZilzerWofgang Zilzer was a German-American stage and film actor.-Career:Zilzer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to German-Jewish emigrant Max Zilzer, who was engaged at the local theater. Zilzer's mother died soon after his birth and his father returned to Germany in 1905...
as Dr. Philippe Pirel (uncredited)