Your Last Act (1941)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Fred Zinnemann

Writers:

Norman Rose (idea)
Doane R. Hoag (writer)

Release Date:

12 July 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Short

Plot:

This short looks at the odd bequests that people have made in their wills over the years. They include...

Plot Keywords:

Electric Chair | Hobo | Goldfish | Dog | John Nesbitt's Passing Parade

Cast

Vince Barnett	...	Alexander Hartley, the Second Husband (uncredited)
Edward Hearn	...	Policeman (uncredited)
Claire McDowell	...	Old Lady with Memories (uncredited)
John Nesbitt	...	Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Pat O'Malley	...	Policeman (uncredited)
Grant Withers	...	Train Detective (uncredited)

Also Known As:

Passing Parade No. 25: Your Last Act (USA) (series title)

Runtime:

11 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Movie Connections:

Follows Unseen Guardians (1939)

Soundtrack:

Symphony No.5 in E Minor, Op.64

Dead Men Tell Tales

This time, producer/narrator John Nesbitt's "Passing Parade" takes a short look at "Your Last Act" - herein, meaning your "Last Will and Testament". Foolish, wise, spiteful, and sentimental wills are read. A goldfish is clothed, and a dog kept well fed. A little girl receives the gift of vision (a cornea transplant), from a remorseful death-row criminal. The centerpiece is Mr. Nesbitt's reading of a relatively long will, written by one "Charles Lounsberry", a Christian man with nothing material to give (his "will" was later found to be a work of fiction). It's nicely directed by up-and-coming Fred Zinnemann, and offers a welcome look at some stars hearkening back to the days of "silent" films.

**** Passing Parade: Your Last Act (1941) Fred Zinnemann ~ John Nesbitt, Vince Barnett, Claire McDowell