Radio-TV mirror (Jan-June 1954)

The Best Things in Life Are Fun (Continued from page 33) All these talents are wrapped up in one lovely package that Paul affectionately calls "little Windy Wandy." But Wanda, the wife of another television star and the mother of two very young daughters, can only be viewed at home after working hours. Little Diane prefers to see her there. Wanda, her husband Al, little Diane and baby Sharon Ann make up the family unit, along with grandmother. "Granny," as everyone calls her, takes care of the Lewis children and runs the home while Wandy and Al are at work at WCPO-TV. Faith in Granny and Granny's love for little Diane and the baby gives Wanda the mental assurance she has to have to put her entire effort into her work at the studio. If anyone else took charge of the children, Wanda feels that worry would keep her from doing her best. With Granny's help, Wanda Lewis has managed to mold her life as a television personality and that of mother and wife into one perfect combination. Apparently she's done a good job at both. The children are healthy and happy, and Wanda has been an integral part of The Paul Dixon Show every weekday afternoon for more than four years. Though Granny takes charge of the children while Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are at work, Wanda generally gets home in time to cook supper for the family and prepare Sharon Ann's formula. Al, in the meantime, either works on a painting or plays with daughter Diane until supper is ready. Al, by the way, is now considered to be the top personality for children's shows in local TV. Every child in the Cincinnati area knows "Uncle Al." With supper over and the dishes washed, Wanda generally joins her husband at their hobby — which is the same as their careers. Their entire house, overlooking the Ohio River Valley, is decorated with arUwork done by the young couple. Designs on many of the walls, the entire rathskeller — which is a combination playroom and workroom — the excellent framed paintings, have all been done by Wanda and Al. Quite often, in the evenings, Paul Dixon and his wife Marge will drop over for a chat or to discuss the next day's show. Many times, Sis Camp — the other lovely female pantomimist on the show — will visit Wanda at home. Since they've been working together on television, they have developed into the closest of friends. Several times a week, they go shopping together or to lunch or simply visit at each other's home. Each has the same thing to say about the other: Neither ever had a sister, and both remark that the other is "the kind of sister I always wished I had." The art portion of her life began long before housewife Wanda arrived in the picture. Born Wanda Lou Kesler in 1926, in Struthers, Ohio, near Youngstown, the dark-haired beauty has always loved to draw. From the time she was able to hold a pencil in her hands, her aim has been to become an artist. Little did she know what kind of art she would end up doing and where she would be doing it, with countless thousands of spectators admiring her work! Wanda could hardly wait for graduation from Struthers High School so that she could enter the Cleveland Institute of Art. It was while she was taking this four-year course that she and Al Lewis met. Miss Wanda Lou Kesler spent many class hours at the school seated next to a good-looking man who also wanted to be an artist. To support his own way through the course, the Cleveland boy worked at night in the art department of television Station WEWS. Al and Wanda started dating almost as soon as they met, but it stayed strictly on that level until their senior year. On February 2, Wanda's birthday, Al decided to give her the present she had been waiting for throughout art school. The ring fit perfectly. In June, 1949, they both were graduated and, on July 9 of that same year, were married. Al was offered a position as art director at WCPO-TV, the sister television station of Cleveland's WEWS. He and Wanda moved to Cincinnati when he began working with WCPO-TV. The newlyweds figured they would settle down to a peaceful home life in their modest little three-room furnished apartment. But the peacefulness didn't last very long. Three weeks after they arrived in Cincinnati, Mrs. Wanda Lewis got her big break. One day, Wanda happened to be waiting at the station for Al to get through with work. She was in the studio, watching The Paul Dixon Show, when Paul noticed her standing on the sidelines. He knew that "the art director's wife" was also an artist and invited her to do a drawing while a record was being played between pantomime numbers. It was more or less a dare, but Wanda took him up on it. The result was a flow of letters from viewers requesting more of the little threeminute drawings. Paul was flabbergasted at the response. Mort Watters, general manager of the WCPO stations, signed Wanda and she's been with The Paul Dixon Show ever since. The first time Wanda drew professionally on television, a near-riot ensued. At the time she was hired, Wanda was told that only her hands would be seen on television. It was felt that the result of just a hand being shown would be more intriguing to the viewers. The only way Wanda could accomplish this trick was to kneel while drawing. The first time she did this, the sketch went fine, though her knees were sore afterward and her arms grew tired. However, as she started to rise after the drawing, her foot caught on the long skirt she was wearing and ripped it off almost completely. Paul and the other people in the studio thought it was the funniest event that had ever taken place on the show. Wanda, though, was embarrassed and insisted that the system be changed. It was, and Wanda has been standing at the drawing board ever since. Originally, Wanda Lewis was a very shy and introverted young lady. "It was difficult," insists Paul, "to get her to join in the conversation or the comedy." No one can claim that of her now. After four years on television, with hundreds of thousands of people knowing Wanda as well as they know members of their own family, the aloofness and awkwardness are gone. Though still a modest individual, often considered unassuming, Wanda is an important part of The Paul Dixon Show, for reasons beyond her art work. "Wanda," claims Len Goorian, the producer of the show, "is one of the best pantomimists I've ever seen. She's a top comic, too, always coming in with just the right line to make us all laugh. She's a wonderful person to work with, and everybody loves her." From the mail received, it appears that the viewers feel the same way. A large portion of the fan letters The Paul Dixon Show acquires daily are addressed to "Windy Wandy" and "Wandy the Artist," as well as to simply Wanda Lewis. (Continued on page 106) When OVERSMOKING or "something you ate" causes ACID INDIGESTION orHEARTBORN... remember millions get fast relief with GUARANTEED TO CONTAIN NO SODA ggEBEHZBZa Fascinating: vocation learned at home by those with aptitude. Thrillintf pastime. National method brings ont life-like colors. Free booklet. NATIONAL PHOTO COLORING SCHOOL 835Dlversey Pkwy., Depl. 1382, Chicago 14, III. What's Causing Your CONSTIPATION? ... And What Can It Lead To? If your constipation is more than temporary you should read the authoritative FREE book on this subject, prepared under the supervision of one of America's leading hospitals. The part constipation plays in ulcers, colitis, liver, nervousness, etc.; its "warnings" and its after effects are explained. Write for your copy today. Address McCleaxy Hospital, 223 Elms Blvd., Excelsior Springs, Mo. "DARK-EYES" Depl. P-24 3319 Carroll Ave., Chicago 24, III. I enclose 26c (coin or stamps— tax included) for. TRIAL PACKAGE of '-Dark-Eyes" with directions. Check Shade: D Black Q Brown Address Town R M 105