Clues to Adventure

Clues to Adventure (1949)

*** (out of 4)

Entry in John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series shows us three different stories that all link to the Bill of Rights. First off we hear how a popular nursery rhyme for children helped get King James II out of England. Next up we learn that a small newspaper helped establish freedom of the press. Finally, the story of the man in the iron mask shows why cruel and unusual punishment is not allowed. Nesbitt's Passing Parade is one of the most entertaining series that pop up on Turner Classic Movies ever few weeks. The films don't have the greatest production values as a lot of them lift scenes from other movies but what works so well are the actual stories. As usual, I wasn't aware of any of the three stories being told here so my thrill of learning something new goes well with this series. The way we get told these forgotten stories are a lot of fun and they manage to stay entertaining throughout the 9-minute running times.

John Nesbit considers a Mother Goose rhyme, a newspaper article from the 18th Century, and a rusty piece of iron in this entry in THE PASSING PARADE.

Although some of the entries are weak in their assumptions, the middle one is about John Peter Zenger, and all three are linked by being the sources of the Bill of Rights - the first ten amendments to the United States constitution, enshrining the rights to freedom of speech, freedom of the press and the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

In these difficult times - and all times are difficult for the people who live in them - it is good to reflect on these rights, which must be fought for continually; the Supreme Court of the United States spends most of its labor making that point again and again. These rights must not only be celebrated; they must be exercised continually, lest we get out of the habit.