Help- ppppplease

I can't get a simple frame action (_parent.play())
to execute properly. I have a MC that I am duplicating
that is embedded in another MC which is stopped. The duplicate MC's have buttons in each one that when pressed,
starts that particular Mc and leads it to a _parent.play()
command in an attempt to restart the mc in which it is
embedded.

Watching the debugger, I know that the duplicate MC is playing, and hits the frame which houses the action, but the
parent clip stays right where it is ??

Are there any tricks I need to know about actions in dup mcs??????????????????????????????????????

I am pretty well versed in AS , so don't hold back on you're explanation Mr. Guru.