'' Stairway to Light '' is a 1945 American short drama film directed by Sammy Lee . It 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 . In 1946 , it won an Oscar for Best Short Subject ( One-Reel ) at the 18th Academy Awards
18th Academy Awards
18th Academy Awards
Stairway to Light