We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
UIHHT
SmiTH Bhlleuu
EnDURED FOR Ldue
IT was spring and we couldn't wait any longer." Smith Ballew never graduated from the University of Texas. Nor did Justine Vera. Both felt that a marriage certificate was more important than a diploma. So they went and did it, just two happy, carefree kids. That was over ten years ago. April 3, 1926, to be exact.
Ten years of struggle, hard knocks, lucky breaks, poverty and despair, topped by an amazing success beyond their wildest dreams. All summer Smith has been master of ceremonies on the hour long Shell Chateau program over NBC.
Perhaps that's why they still seem so much in love The wealth and fame which have come at last have been richly earned. They were won by faith and sacrifice.
The girl who risked her family's ire to marry a handsome, banjo pickin' youth with no prospects, has proven the wisdom of her choice. Yet few couples have had so many set-backs or bitter disappointments.
BY HARRY BLAIR
There were lots of times when it seemed to Justine that she had made a mistake. Days when there was nothing to eat. When she and Smith tramped New York's ice and snow with worn out soles, rather than spend carfare.
Yet, always there burned within her a white hot flame of confidence in her man. A feeling that in the end he would come through with flying colors.
With typical frankness, Justine and "Sykes" (his nick-name) told me the entire story.
"Her folks made me promise to give up music before they'd let me marry her. I had a cheap old banjo which I played in a small dance band I had organized. Rhythm came natural to me. My dad played the violin and mother is still a first rate piano player.
"But even they did not approve of music as a career for a man. Things were different then." Smith paused to shift his six feet five inches of bulk as he sprawled on a comfortable sofa. "Musicians were considered . . . well, ,no-account," he continued. "That's before so many college boys started to take up instruments.
"So I got (Continued on page 107)
Paramount
AS TENDER A STORy AS WAS EVER TOLD
IS THIS ONE OF A ROMANCE THAT GREW
STRONGER WHEN HARDSHIPS MENACED IT
Hollywood luxury hasn't changed the love between Smith and Justine Ballew, shown at the left with their little daughter. Above, one of Smith's recent portraits.
Smith is master of ceremonies on Shell Chateau — turn to page 53.
47