Stairway to Light (1945)

The story of 18th Century French physician Dr. Phillipe Pinel, whose initiated enlightened, humane treatment of the mentally ill.

Director:

Sammy Lee

Writers:

John Nesbitt (story), Rosemary Foster (screenplay)

Stars:

John Nesbitt, Harry Cording, Lotte Palfi Andor

Won 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Nesbitt	...	Narrator (voice)

Storyline

Part of MGM's Passing Parade series, the focus is on Dr. Phillippe Pinel, head of an asylum during the time of the French Revolution. Pinel couldn't believe what he found on his first inspection of the facility. Several of the inmates had been there for 30 years or more and lived in horrible conditions, a prison rather than a hospital. He believed that the mentally could be cured and within two years of over a hundred inmates were released. His work was not popular and he was beaten on the street only to be rescued by one of the inmates he had released years before.

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Plot Keywords:

mental illness | cell | graph | john nesbitt's passing parade | 19th century | 

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Genres:

Short | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 November 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

Passing Parade No. 54: Stairway to Light

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

10 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Narrator: The iron gates built to keep madmen in served once to keep madmen out.

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Connections

Follows Unseen Guardians (1939)

User Reviews

Interesting

Stairway to Light (1945)

*** (out of 4)

Oscar winning short about how mentally disabled people were at one time thrown into dark dungeons and chained to walls until Dr. Phillipe Pinel determined that love could cure any disease. This short means well and tells an interesting story but I'm really not sure Charles Manson would be a better person if we just released him from prison and said we loved him.

Turner Classic Movies usually shows this as part of their Oscar month so that will be your best shot at seeing this.