Tells the story of Ben Helwig and his important contribution to the American war effort. Ben’s story starts in the Great Depression when he, a young teen, is separated from his parents leaving him for a better life at an institution as they search for work. A freak baseball accident at the home leads to Benny losing sight permanently in one eye, followed by losing sight permanently in the other eye. As Ben is despondent over his new life situation, his mother realizes that she has to do something to make him feel productive again, she turning to one of his old favorite pastimes of building model planes, with his hands, sensitive to his new situation, taking over as his eyes in they being able to “see” things through touch.
Director: Gunther von Fritsch.
Writer: Joe Ansen.
Stars: Pete Smith (narrator) (uncredited), Barbara Bedford (uncredited), William Bishop (uncredited), Robert Frazer (uncredited), Russell Gleason (uncredited), George ‘Spanky’ McFarland (uncredited).
Cinematographer: Lester White.
Composer: Max Terr (uncredited).
1944 Academy Awards – Nominated for an Oscar for Best Short Subject, One-Reel.
Oscar nominated short! Woo hoo!