Radio and television mirror (July-Dec 1948)

Traveler of the Month (Continued jrom page 47) medleys of request numbers. Somewhere along the line, Bernard began forgetting about his own sickness as he thought about the other patients and tried to plan programs which would appeal to all tastes and backgrounds. Several good friends in St. Louis took to driving him around town to ball games and operas on his "days off." His mother came to the ward every Wednesday with homemade cookies — enough for all of the boys. Bernard was moving along. Still, however, he suffered from the uncertainty, the lack of self-confidence that marks most persons who have been sick for a long time. One night, there was to be a big show at the hospital auditorium, with Connee Boswell as the star. The program called for Bernard to go out on the stage and get the show rolling. "I was worried sick," he recalled. "It was one thing to sit before a house microphone, all by myself, and talk. It was something else again to go out in front of that whole audience in my wheel chair. I just couldn't do it. "Then Connee Boswell, waiting to go on, realized what was wrong. She talked to me, and reminded me that she, too, was a victim of polio. She calmed me down, and said there was nothing to be afraid of. Then, she made me wheel onstage with her — and I was all right after that." I think that Connee Boswell did a wonderful thing that night for an unknown young man named Bernard Estrin. Everyone in our Welcome Travelers audience joined me in feeling pride in such a grand trouper as Connee. A little later, Bernard acted what we call a "side character" into his disc jockey routine. It was Jose, a Mexican with a sad voice and a love for the rhumba, played by our Bernard Estrin. One day, a WAC who also was a patient came to see Bernard and demanded an introduction to Jose. Bernard introduced himself as Jose, and was flattered by the WAC's disbelief. If Jose was so real, then perhaps he wasn't such a complete amateur. Maybe he had a touch of talent for this radio business. That was a thought — but what a daring thought! It was something to think about during the long hours in bed. A hope for a new career. After all, disc jockeys didn't have to use their feet. What difference would it make if a disc jockey were in a wheel chair? Things move at a slow pace in a hospital. After months of such thoughts, Bernard brought himself to approach some St. Louis radio personalities. They gave him a voice test and were encouraging. He should keep at it, they said. His voice was good, his mike technique showed promise. For the first time now, the young man had a dream. Sure, the pain still came. Sure, the monotony was as bleak as ever. Sure, his old cocksure world was gone forever. But perhaps, out of the years of suffering, a new world was shaping. That was Bernard's frame of mind when, with a leave from the hospital, he visited his old home town, Chicago. I was nattered that he took time out from his busy round of seeing old friends and dining with relatives to visit with us at the College Inn of the Hotel Sherman. During the first moment of our interview, I was impressed by his dignity and sincerity. As he began telling of his work as the hospital disc jockey and admitted, under my questioning, that he hoped to go into radio, it struck me that our very conversation was Bernard Estrin's big-time radio debut. Of course, I'm using that word "debut" loosely. Bernard isn't yet a professional, and he wasn't appearing on our program as a professional. He was just another guest, just one of the thousands of ordinary persons who have stopped to chat with us. But as this young man's dramatic story unfolded all of us, I'm sure, were hoping that some day Bernard would have a radio show of his own. When Bernard is released from the hospital, I'm going to introduce him to lots and lots of radio people, and be as helpful as I can. It would be a real privilege to be of assistance to a fine young man like him. I think of that whenever I recall one particular statement of his. It went this way: "If I should ever make good in radio, I'll never forget the shut-ins, the sick people to whom' the radio is the whole outside world. I've been a shut-in so long myself that I'll do everything possible to make their lives happier and fuller." I hope Bernard gets that chance. Don't you? Do Dreams Come True? m Mli!Sm Find out how you can get your fondest wish. Fabulous gifts awarded daily. *,srav to HEART'S DESIRE Daytime — Monday through Friday on the Mutual Network Ben Alexander, granter of heart's desires. DRAMA HUMOR LOVE Do you want your dream to come true? Read the HEART'S DESIRE feature in this month's TRUE ROMANCE Magazine tyiftSHotirj SSA\ World's Smallest Hearing Aid Transmits 2 to 6 Times More Sound • Here's new hearing clarity — with far more sound, intensity than before! And wholly new hearing comfort — millions can now hear with power turned way down. No buzzing, no hollow sounds. Beltone — world's smallest — sets new standard of lifelike hearing. *■>■■■■ Get free booklet of amazing postplll N war facts on deafness. Plain wrap" ■»■■■■ per — no obligation. Mail coupon to Beltone — World's Hearing Headquartera.| Beitone Beltone Hearing Aid Co., Dept. MWG-12 1450 W. 19th Street, Chicago 8, Illinois Please send me without cost or obligation, J the new FBEE Booklet of facts about | DEAFNESS and How to Overcome It. Name.. I j Address | Town State.. 7// GIVEN AWAY Just Send Your Name and Address We will mall you this beautiful GLOWING CROSS. Also FREE CATALOG showing many VALUABLE GIFTS that are GIVEN with FULL INFORMATION on HOW TO RECEIVE THEM. Enclose stamp or coin for mailing GLOWING CROSS. THE RELIGIOUS HOUSE, Dept. MAC 7002 N. Clark St. Chicago 26, III. GENUINE COATS CAPES JACKETS, ETC .z FREE CATALOG Buy direct from one of the most reliable wholesale fur organizations. The latest styles, quality furs. Sizes 10 to 46, in a wide selection to choose from: Silver Foxes, Muskrats, Skunks, Persians, Kidskins, Marmots, Coneys. Plus Many Other Furs. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. Send for free catalog! . H. M. J. FUR CO. 150-H W. 28th St., New York 1, N. V. fiSTsuffJ due to NERVOUS TENSION MILES m If jittery nerves occasionally keep you awake, try Miles Nervine. Use only as directed. All drug stores — two forms — Liquid Nervine or effervescent tablets. 97