A blind factory worker out-produces sighted men? 1943 propaganda that actually slaps.
This serious Pete Smith Specialty series entry encourages industry to hire people with disabilities to help with the war effort. As a boy, Ben Helwig was blinded in an accident while playing baseball. He eventually acquired a guide dog and now works in a defense plant.
Direction
Von Fritsch makes riveting machinery oddly hypnotic.
Production
Real defense plant access—no faking that wartime authenticity.
Director
Gunther von Fritsch
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Pete Smith Specialty series ran 1935-1955, making it one of MGM's longest-running short film franchises—this was literally appointment viewing before features.
Russell Gleason, who plays adult Ben, was the son of actor James Gleason and tragically died in 1945 after falling from a hotel window while awaiting deployment.
US
