This entry of John Nesbitt's Passing Parade deals with a young boy (Dean Stockwell with an awesome head of hair) having to write an essay on "a really important person." Who he eventually decides to write about is telegraphed immediately in the opening narration. My favorite scene was an early one with Dean in the library. He's trying his hardest to make an essay on John Paul Jones work but he just can't. Slowly the camera pulls back to reveal a bald old man (Chick York) sitting next to him. The old man says "What's the matter? Don't you like great men of the 18th century?" I have to admit I burst out laughing at this odd scene. It goes on and the old man convinces Dean to look closer to home for important people. This is a charming old short with some moments that are funnier now than they were intended at the time. Stockwell was an excellent child actor. One of the best. It's also nice to see the great Connie Gilchrist as his mother. Oh, and the old man appears again at the essay reading. He smiles and nods happily as he hears the words he told the boy read aloud. Yes, again I laughed. Overall, it's a pleasant ten minutes so check it out if you get the chance.
