davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-12-11
Busiest Movie Actor
Is Blind War Veteran
Paul Lees, With Only 10 Per Cent
Of His Siqht, Pounds a Career
By Harold Heffernon

THAT wasn't a good thing for
a young fellow to do. Then two
things happened that were good
for me. I met Betty and got
this acting job. A man with one
of the broadcasting companies
had sent me to Joe Egli. then
Paramount casting director. I
realized later that it was some
kind of gag they were playing on
Joe, sending him a blind man,
but fortunately he didn't look on
it that way and the studio signed
me. knew this was my big
chance, so I really leveled. I've
done everything I could to make
good"
The studio signed Lees with
some trepidation. After all, 80
per cent blinded man cannot read
his script, cannot easily identify
people or locations on stage.
But Lees surprised them all. His
loss of sight had brought with it
compensatory Photographic
memory. Lees can remember a
four or five page script after it is
read to him only twice. Usually
his wife reads his lines to him at
night, and he knows them letter
perfect the next day.
For the most part, Paul Lees
lives a normal life. He depends
on the radio for news. He drives
car under q special license
which must be renewed every four
months instead of the usual four
years in California. He is color
conscious and can identify traffic
lights, and he drives slowly and
carefully. He can perceive the
outline Of pedestrians and other
cars, but cannot bring anything
into focus.
Set Workers Help.
OF course, at first, there was
occasionally the embarrassing mo-
ment. A director would motion
Lees to move one way or another.
and the ex-Marine wouldn't catch
the visual direction. But he says
cameramen and other set workers
are a grand bunch Of guys. They
tip him off to such technical mat
ters as key lights. and they use
small pieces of board as markers
on the floor instead Of the usual
black tape. Lees can feel the
boards with his toes, and thus
knows his position.
Since joining Paramount four
years ago, Lees has made more
movies than almost any player
in town. His versatility is sur
prising. He can play gangster
one day and a preacher the next.
| A natural born actor, he f1uffs his
lines less frequently than normally
sighted stars.
Lees is the only virtually blind
actor on the current Hollywood
scene. He's entitled to SEEING
eye dog, but refused to accept one
and suggested it be turned over to
a totally sightless vet. He did
accept a typewriter, and takes
care of his own correspondence.
Paul now is putting finishing
touches to q book about his ad-
ventures in the Marines with the
famous dog, Suchew. He hopes
some studio will buy IT. f
(Released By North American Newspaper
(Alliance.)
Evening star., 1949-12-11
HOLLYWOOD.

| HOLLYWOOD.
The busiest actor in Hollywood
these days isn't Clark Gable o.
Bing Crosby or Vic Mature. but
quiet spoken, much decorated
veteran of the Marines nance
Paul Lees. One recent day hi
bicycled between three soune
stages at Paramount for bit role!
In three films.
A few weeks ago he faced the
cameras with Ray Milland fol
scenes as a cowboy in Copper
Canyon" before lunch, and afte1
eating he shaved of his scraggly
beard and went to work with Alar
Iadd in scenes for United State.
Mail"
Mr.. Lees Is nearly blind.
He lost 80 per cent Of his sight
while a Japanese prisoner. Il
can never be restored. But blind.
ness hasn't stopped Paul, for.
mer middleweight boxing cham
pion Of the Orient, from making
a success in movies. His story Il
one Of the most inspiring in Holly.
wood.
Lees father died when he was
8 and his widowed mother had tc
busy herself earning a living
Paul ran away from home in Pratt
Kans., several times, and finally
wound up in a boys correction
school in Santa Fe. He fed from
there. too, lived in alleys. and
was constantly in trouble.
A Jap Prisoner.
"You might say I was q real bad
boy" he admits.
Following q spell Of singing ir
small time night clubs and earn.
ing . few dollars in the prize
ring, Lees joined the Marines. He
donned his uniform in 1888 ano
was sent to Shanghai just after
his 18th birthday. He saw duty
throughout the Orient and was
shipped to the Philippines in 1941
When the Japs took Corregidol
they also took Lees and he re-
manned in enemy hands more
than three years. During much
of that time he subsisted by eat
ing dog meat and insects.
Picric acid from the discharge
of shells had burned his eyes
Normally they would have healed
but malnutrition ruined his
chances for good vision. His optic
nerves became atrophied, dead
On being liberated he weighed 81
| pounds.
| Brought back to the States, Pau
spent more than a year in nava
hospitals. Finally. on direct or.
ders of President Truman, he wa!
put under the care of Beverly
Hills eye specialist. The doctor:
nurse was lookable lass with {
kindly touch and, though Pau
could barely see the outline O.
her face, he fell in love with her
A short time later, on Januar.
20, 1916, they were married ane
the former Betty Jordon Nortor
has been his helpmate ever since
He credits her with setting him or
the right road to rehabilitation.
i Then He Met Betty.
II met Betty just in time sale
Lees. What with money I'd
saved and with $4,000 or $4,000
in back pay, I had $4,000 wher
the Government sent me on 8
bond selling tour. I had a lovely
time. OF course p when I got
through, I had gotten rid Of my
| 10 grand
Evening star., 1949-12-11
NEW YORK.

&NIV w 1oAOAAs
You never can tell what frus-
tration will lead to.
In the case of Sylvia Siegler and
her husband, Lou Cooper, it led
to the Show of the Month Club,
which enables a lot of heretofore
frustrated playgoers to buy tickets
to Broadway hits without scuffle,
scalpers, swearing or standing IN
line. The club has just passed its
first anniversary.
Its members pay a yearly fee
which enables them to buy one
pair of tickets each month at box
Office prices and another pair at a
discount Of S to 20 per cent-with-
out stirring from their armchairs
The club does the leg work. It
selects the shows, notifies members
that it has taken seats for certain
dates, and gives them vital sta
tistics about production, play
wright, producer and actors. Its
offerings include such hits as
South Pacific" Miss Me, Kate, y
Death of Salesman" and Lost
In the Stars"
This is a club for busy people,
says Miss Siegler. "We want to
make it possible for them to see
the shows they want to see with
out a struggle"
Wanted to Act.
Miss Siegler and Cooper started
the business after they failed tc
get what they longed for in youth
Miss Siegler wanted to act, but
never made it. Now she is club
president and its business brains
Cooper. a quiet, gentleman
nered. gray-eyed young man
wants to compose the music fol
Broadway's biggest hits. He wrote
the scores for the Broadway show
Evening star., 1949-12-11
Coming Attractions

AMBASSADOR-"AF Farewell
to Arms" with Helen
Hayes, starting Thursday. .
CAPITOL-B order Incl
dent" with Ricardo Mon
talban, starting Saturday.
DUPONT - Germany Year
Zero"
KEITH's "They Live by
Night" with Farley
Granger, starting Wednes-
day.
LITTLE-"The Red Shoes"
with Mora Shearer.
METROPOLITAN - Quad
alcanal Diary" with Dana
Andrews. starting Thurs
day.
NATIONAL-"David Harum."
with Will Rogers. starting
Tuesday.
PAI.ACE-"Prince Of Foxes"
with Tyrone Power.
PX-"Caesar and Cleopatra"
with Vivian Leigh, starting
Tuesday.
TRANS-LUX - "The Third
Man." with Joseph Gotten.
WARNER-"A Farewell to
Arms" with Helen Hayes,
starting Thursday.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
I WANT ADS
  rnR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE
FOR SALE

ARB 5-Packer at Small Boat Har- bor priced for immediate sale. 2-BEDROOM home, hardwood floors, fireplace, view, yard, near school, churches and business district; partially furnished, base ment, garage, view.
 BEDROOM home Douglas High way, partially furnished, base ment, garage, view.
 DOUGLAS apartment and business property center of town, partial ly furnished; view, garage, cleo tric kitchen.
 SIXTH ST, 3bedrooms, dining room, garage, electric dishwash- CT, large basement, furnace, par tially furnished, wall-towa:l carpeting, G. I. loan. SIXTH ST, View Home beautifully furnished, very large rooms, beau- tiful terraced yard, electric kitch- en, immediate occupancy. G. I. loan.
 S420O takes home Mob Hill Doug las, 3 bdr., electric kitchen, base ment, garage, furnace, etc. Terms. NEW 2-bdr. nome. FILA. Douglas. INCOME PROPERTY. Ninth Street. 5 cabins, two small houses, one large house. Territorial Vets loan.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
ARRANGE BRINGS B; TOUR GO TO SEWARD

The Baranof of Alaska Steamship Company arrived this morning bringing 24 passengers from Seattle and nine from Ketchikan to Ju- neau. She was due to leave this afternoon, carrying four passengers from Juneau to Seward. Passeng- CTS arriving were:
 From seattle: Dr. William E Baird, Edwin Book, Richard Book Mrs. A. Book, Miss c. Bock MT and Mrs. William Geddes, William Gedes Jr., and child, Russell Hum mel, Joseph w. Kadas, MT. and Mrs Frank V. Loewe, Bobby Loewe, Gloria Loewe, MT and Mrs. s. H. Lorain, MT. J. I. Noble, Robert Bayfield,, Gust Sojquist, MT. and Mrs. w. S. Wagner, MT. and Mrs. Jim Watson.
 From Ketchikan Arthur Adams, Pat J. Gilmore, Jr., MT. and Mrs. William Krasilovsky, Bernarr Me- Coy, Barry Mccoy, Rose McCullen, M. E. Monagle.
 To Seward: J. B. Cook, M. D. Jones, T. R. Curtis, Ray Cavan- augh.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
5WEETHEART5 OF
 SPORTS MARRIED

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 18.-tR- The sweethearts of sports were mar ried Sunday.
 Diving Champion Zoe Ann Olsen pretty and IS, and big, blond Jackie Jensen, 22, former football star for the University of California and now a baseball bonus player, were wed in Oakland's first Presbyterian Church
 Some 1000 guests and spectators overflowed the small church, which was brightly lighted for newsreel and television cameras. Jensen's former football teammates were ushers. His coach-benign, Lynn lPappy) Waldorf-was among sports celebrities in attendance.
 Zoe Ann, formerly of La Porte City, Iowa, is the National Womens AAU diving champion. She has won IA national diving honors. Jackie S75,00O bonus player for Oakland Tn the Pacific Coast Baseball Lea que, was sold last week to the New York Yankees.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
JW( MEETS, GOVERNORS HOUSE, WEDNESDAY, p. M.

The Juneau Woman's Club will hold the October Social-program meeting tomorrow Wednesday, af- ternoon at 2 o'clock at the Cover nor'S House.
 Following the dessert luncheon which will be served first, accord ing to action taken at the monthly business meeting, Mrs. Gruening, Chairman of the Department Of International Relations, will pre- sent the Langdon Trio in a musical program and Mrs w. w. Reedy will sing. Mrs. L. V. Avritt will give a talk on the United Nations Inter- national Trade Organization and a LIN film, "U,SA. World Trade in Round Trip" will be shown.
 Women of the community who are interested are invited to at tend the meeting. Hostesses for the day are Mrs. J. V. Cole, Mrs. John Brilliant, Mrs. c. E. Albrecht, Mrs. Donald Burrus and Miss Ann Cole man. Mrs. E. P. Chester is Acting President until the return of Mrs. William Paul, Sr., from the head quarters of the National Tuhercu- losis Association in New York early next month.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
CALL FOR BIDS

Notice is hereby given that the CITY OF JUNEAU, Juneau, Alaska will receive sealed bids up to l0:OO A. M. Oct. 2l, 1949 at the office of the City Clerk, Juneau, Alaska, at which time all bids will be opened and publicly read aloud for:
 Furnishing labor and materials and performing the work in the con- struction of retaining wall on
 Each bid shall be in accordance with the plans, specifications, and other. contract documents now on file with the City Engineer, City Hall, Juneau, Alaska, where copies may be obtained.
 Bid forms may be obtained from the City Clerk, Juneau, Alaska.
 The City of Juneau reserves the right to reject any or all bids anc to waive all informalit:es in the bid ding.
 Dated this 17th day of October 1949.
 Signed O. L. POPEJOY, City Clerk First publication. Oct. IT. 1949. Last publication, Oct. l8, l949.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
AGREEMENT ON FA R M
 PRICE BILL
Senate House Conference Compromises on 90 Per
 Cent Parity Support

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18.-R-A Senate-House conference committee today reached complete agree ment" on a farm price support bill
 Chairman Elmer Thomas CD- Okla) of the Senate conferees, an nounced the compromise and said it calls for 90 percent of parity sup ports next year for cotton, corn, wheat, rice and peanuts.
 Tobacco previously had been as sured supports at this level because 10th the Senate and House passed bills providing it.
 Thomas said that all of the con- ferees, except Senator Thye R- Minn who was away, had prom ised ito sign the conference re- port"
 The agreement still is subject to approval by both the Senate and House but the compromise-which had threatened to delay adjourn ment-is expected to be accepted.
 The main issue was whether to go along with the House bill to main- tain wartime support levels for an- other year, or take a long-term sliding scale of supports voted by the Senate. This scale could have dropped to as low as 75 percent of parity
 Conferees reported that under the compromise, the supports in 1851 may not drop below 80 percent al though in 1852 and 1853 they could fall to 75 percent.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
VFW POST, AUXILIARY
 HOLDS INFORMAL PARTY

Members of VFW Post No. 5559 and of the Ladies Auxiliary, with a few invited guests, had a pleasant, informal get-together late Sunday afternoon in the Jeep Club. Danc- ing to the music by a three-piece orchestra was a special feature.
 Post Commander Harold Fennel and other officers welcomed guests and extended the hospitality of the Posts's attractive clubrooms.
 Long before the party started at 4 o'clock, ''yummy' refreshments were in preparation, with Mrs. John Betty Mccormick in charge ot turkey sandwiches and such. Dr. w. c. Jackson, Post surgeon and club steward, did yeoman service in his department.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
BETA SIGMA pill
 MEETING TONIGHT

Mrs. Ilah Parmenter will be the chief speaker at the regular meet ing of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority which will be held in the Gold Room of the Baranof Hotel at 7:30 o'clock this evening.
 Mrs. Parmenter, the owner of the Baranof Beauty Shop, will speak on the subject, Her Browning Glory" The subject will include the history of hair styles from early ancient times to the present day. Following the main talk the mem bers of the group will be encouraged to ask questions from the floor.
 Since Mrs. Parmenter has anoth- CT appointment, contrary to custom, the cultural program will precede the business meeting
 The President, Ruth Bader, an- nounced that the main business to be discussed at the business meet ing will be the formulation of plans for the preferential tea to be held next Sunday, october 23.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
ATLANTIC STORM LASHES OCEAN
 SHIPPING LANES

NEW YORK, Oct. 18.-lR-An Atlantic storm lashed the ocean shipping lanes today.
 At least one ship was in distress. Other huge liners such as the Queen Elizabeth were delayed by mountainous seas.
 About 180 miles off Cape May, N. J., the 7,176-ton French freigh- ter Caen widowed helplessly in heavy seas while the tug Marian Moran struggled to go to her rescue.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18

 passes Away

SHENANDOAH, la, Oct. 18-lR Henry Field, TT, founder and pre- sident of the nationally known seed and nursery firm bearing his name and a pioneer in radio broadcasting, died Monday of cancer.
 The Henry Field Seed and Nurs- cry Company which Field started in 1899 was the countrys largest retail mail order seed and nurs- cry company. He issued his first mail order catalogue in 1899, writing it, setting it in type and printing it. The company now does S3,000,- 900 business annually
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
Noiorist Sadisi Serves 4 Years;;
 Given Release

The notorious German, Ilse Koch, of Buchenwald Concentration Camp has completed the four-year sen- tence imposed by an Allied Mili- tary Court. This morning the American authorities turned her over to the Germans. and she will face war crimes charges in Ger man court.
 Military officials took extreme precautions to prevent trouble when they released Ilse Koch to the Ger mans. There were many Displaced Persons in camps near the prison where the woman served her four year sentence. Many of these D. P's had relatives in Buchenwald during the days the sadist was holding court in the camp, and a demonstration was feared.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
TROOP } BROWNIES TO
 MAKE HOLIDAY MASKS

Project for the girls of Brownie Troop Number 3 Saturday morning will te the making of sack masks for their Halloween party the fol- lowing Saturday, it was announced today.
 The troop will meet at 10 am. in the Elks Hall.
 The troops meeting last Satur- day was highlighted by a visit to the Territorial Museum, where Cur ator E. L. Keithahn read story for the troop from a totem pole.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18

Notice is hereby given that the Collector of Customs for this Dis trict has issued an order dated October IT, 1949, authorizing the name of the gas screw VANITY, official number 256251, owned by Theodore R. Samples, of which Ju- neau, Alaska, is the home port, to be changed to DIVER.
 JAMES J. CONNORS, Collector
 Juneau, Alaska First publication, Oct. IS, I949. Last publication, Oct. 21, 1949.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned was on the 14th day of October, 1949, duly ap- pointed Administrator of the Estate of MRS. LLOYD c. EDMUNSON, Deceased.
 All persons having claims against the Estate of deceased will present them, with proper vouchers ana duly verified, to the undersigned at Juneau, Alaska, within six (6) months from the date of this No- tice.
 DATED at Juneau, Alaska, Octo- Der Is, l949
 R. BOOCHEVER,
 Administrator. First publication, Oct. IS, 1949. Last publication, Nov. 8, l949.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
FOR SALE
20 HOUSES

NOW NEAR completion. Ready for occupancy around Nov. l. Two bedrooms with allowance for third. All with full concrete base ments and garage. Automatic oil heat, electric ranges. Financed by FILA with liberal terms. Spec ial loan covering down payment available for veterans. 3 APARTMENT unit. One apart ment with 3 bedrooms. A well maintained, completely furnished and equipped building in an ex- cellent location. Owner will fi- nance
 3 BEDROOMS; built two years ago by Jimmie Larson. Full concrete basement, large view windows, tile kitchen; Finance by FILA. Doug las.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
AMBULANCE FUND

Special showing of the film Fish ing In Alaska" 8 D. m., Method ist Church, Tuesday evening. Pub lie invited. 26 2t
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18

No dancing classes on Wednes- days. Regular classes will be held Saturdays at CIO Hall on Gastin- eau Avenue. 26 lt
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
MISCELLANEOUS
N Q T I c E

NOTI E
 After this date I will not be re- sponsible for any bills contracted by any one ether than myself.- BENNIE J. MELVIN. 26 St
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
DENTAL SOCIETY FOR ALA5kA E
 GIVEN APPROVAL

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 18.-tR-- The House of Delegates of the Am erican Dental Association has un- animcusly approved charter for a new constituent tstate) dental so- ciety for the Territory ot Alaska.
 Thirty Alaskan dentists were list ed as charter members.
 Approval of the charter brings the constituent units to 54.
 Dr. T. J. Pyle of Juneau is one of the delegates from Alaska to the Association meeting.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18

CROSBY Radio combination, Holly.
 wood chair and couch, other household items. Ph. Red 765. 3tf
The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-10-18
FOR SALE

scHWIMM bike. See at 406 w 9th e. 26 If
Arizona sun., 1949-11-25
Teenage Highligghts
By DONALD BENTON
Hello Everyone:

Hello Everyone:
In the last few weeks everything
seems to. have happened at once.
For example, the Carver Monarchs
battled the Nogales Apaches to a
startling 1912 tie. The Hornets
"stung" the Monarchs for their only
loss during their football season
party was given by the Good
Brothers" in honor of Crawford
Bonner, who is on the sick list.
Many of the kids say the lighting
system was "real crazy" The
lights were so low that Willie Kemp
and Roy Dunbar, were accidently
holding hands Grace Whitfield,
has done it again, this time its Don
aid Cole. But Doris Smith says
Grace had better stick to Arthur
Brown because Donald has eyes
only for her !. Joan Thomas isn't
the only one that's crazy about
BURNS Brooks. Now that her
friend" Marie Callahan is trying
to squeeze in. If Marie succeeds,
where will this put Douglas En-
gram? Charming Jewel White
had better keep an eye on Fred
Barnes, for a certain girl said that
if she can't get Donald Cole, Fred
is her next prospect Chuck
Young is interested in one of Car
yer, seniors. Chuck is now known
as the "Whistling Lover" Hot-
rod" is still trying to enalrge his
vocabulary. He says that in few
weeks in order to hold conversa-
ton with him, you will need die
tionary in one hand an an ency-
clopedia in the other. He also said
that he would like to be addressed
as "Mr. Webster" instead of "Hot-
rod" Mildred Eppinger is so
in love with c. L. Robinson that
she writes his name on everything
she comes to. 1 think they make a
cute couple, don't you? :. Wanda
Patton, the girl with the dreamy
eyes, is not looking so happy as she
was a week ago, I wonder why?
Although June Warren was
with one girl, he was looking for
Ernestine Hail. Cora Russell says
that June Warren is her one and
only, but I think Charles "Sugar"
Arizona sun., 1949-11-25

Hill, could get her back if he tried
Just a little bit /. AlonZo Brewer
is lost in the dust made by Calvin
Delaney and Louisa Willis. Brew
er is crazy about both Louisa and
Ernestine, but someone is always
in the way Our lame group for
this week is the st. Marys group
of girls. Betty Redeau is the '1am-
est" of all with the Crumps follow
ing behind. I had someone else in
mind for this week, but the st.
Mary's chicks seemed to be the
1amest" of all. I'm sure no one
will disagree with me. Until next
week Keep Cool.