Seeing Hands

Pete Smith did a series of shorts that were primarily comic in nature and rarely were they ever too serious in nature. This excellent short, nominated for an Academy Award, is a rare exception. The subject is Ben Helwig, a man blinded by accident as a child who learned to work with lathes and other equipment by touch and was ultimately hired for work in a defense plant in WWII. This short was made to encourage the hiring of the disabled as an answer to wartime labor shortages. You see Helwig actually at work with machinery of various types. Quite fascinating. Turner Classic Movies runs this between films and generally runs it during March as part of its "31 Days of Oscar" event. Most highly recommended.

WE DON'T KNOW about you, but when one mentions a PETE SMITYH SPECIALTY, we automatically begin to smile and prepare for the deluge of belly laughs that follow. Oh sure, we know there have been many done in a serious tone; often in a highly informative and educational about some here to for little known subject matter.

WELL WHEN THIS short came on between feature films over Turner Classic Movies the other day, we were, to say the least, flabbergasted! Not only was it not a farce replete with Pete Smith's droll narration giving power and direction to Stuntman/Actor Dave O'Brien's hapless behavior in trying just about any everyday activity. but it was an overwhelmingly success at bringing on the tears.

AS AN OLD adage states, "Truth is Stranger than Fiction." This is perhaps the finest example of the veracity of this platitude. What was dramatized and then featuring the actual, live, flesh and blood man whose story was being told.

IN THE OLD, proverbial; nutshell, the young boy is placed in an orphanage, following the death of the father; which further complicated the severe economic strife the family was suffering. The boy gets blinded for life in a baseball accident.

BOLDLY THE BOY continues at his hobby of model plane building; which leads to his becoming a most valued technician in making sensitive aeronautical instruments. Being 1943, his talents and carefully skills are most needed and appreciated.

IN THE END, MGM and "a Smith named Pete" are reminding just that we are all valued in the international effort to defeat Fascism be it in Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan.

SO LET US say; "Thank you, Mr. Pete Smith & Company!"

I usually hate the 'Pete Smith Specialty' films--mostly because the humor seems very forced. However, this one is great--mostly because it's NOT a comedy!! The film is an interesting story about Ben Helwig. Of course he's not a household name but his story is very inspiring and interesting. It seems that Ben received a tragic head injury when he was a kid and soon went blind. This is not the end of the story, naturally, and what happens next is very inspiring and worth your time. I won't say more--just see this one. Very intelligently written and directed.

By the way, a couple things to note. First, Spanky Mac Farland took a break from the Our Gang films in the 40s and tried his hand in a few other films--including this one. Sadly, the narrator referred to him as 'Fatty'...nice, huh? Also, I have no idea why, but the adult Helwig was NOT played by Helwig and I'd sure love to know why.

Unusual Pete Smith Specialty from MGM tells the story of a boy's childhood accident, getting hit by a baseball bat, that eventually took his sight in both eyes. With the aid of a caring mother and other authority figures, he acquires a dog for the blind and continues to make his toy airplanes and works skillfully with his hands in crafting other hand-made objects.When his rare abilities are noted by two men who happen upon seeing him work in his garage, they offer him a spot at their factory.

Thus begins his true rehabilitation. RUSSELL GLEASON does a nice job as the man who works with his hands despite his disability.

This short was produced in 1943 during the war effort which needed every pair of able hands to work in America's factories and offices. Well worth watching and based on a true story.

Seeing Hands (1943)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Oscar-nominated Pete Smith short is very serious in tone, which was a rarity with his films. The movie tells the true story of Bel Helwig (Russell Gleason) who as a boy was blinded after being hit in the head. As an adult he wants to help when WW2 breaks out but most won't hire him for anything until a couple men discover that he can pretty much see with his hands. I had never heard of this guy before but that's a reason why these shorts showing up on Turner Classic Movies are so great because they can teach you about things and people who might not have learned about otherwise. I was really effected by how great this guy appeared to be and how strong he had to become just to get over his blindness. Smith does a very tender job in telling his story and handles everything just fine. I also enjoyed the performance by Gleason and if you look fast you can see George "Spanky" McFarland in one of his final roles. I think the film also gives a good lesson on why disabled people should be allowed to work and how many could become great if given an opportunity.