 proudly we hail from New York City where the American stage begins here is another program with the cast of outstanding players public service time has been made available by this station for your army and your Air Force to bring you this story as proudly we hail the women's Army Corps is an old saying that one picture is worth 10,000 words this is the story of a picture worth a lot more than that a picture worth a million dollars and of a photographer a girl who thought up the picture and wanted to take it our story today is called portrait of a soldier and you'll find out about it in a moment about the girl photographer private Marian bless of the women's Army Corps but first have you noticed the new trim whack uniform worn by the young women who are serving in the women's Army Corps this new uniform not only stamps the wearer as being smartly dressed it also indicates that she is doing her part to keep America strong if you are a young woman between 18 and 34 and can qualify you are urged to do your part in making unity strength freedom a reality go to your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station and enlist in the women's Army Corps today and now your Army and your Air Force present the proudly we hail production portrait of a soldier recognize that sound it's the sound of picture makes being sent by wire to press services and newspaper offices all across the country this is the story of such a picture a picture worth a million dollars and of a girl who thought it up and wanted to take it she looked like a million bucks two in her whack uniform that was Don Ludlow top photographer for the New York Chronicle Ludlow was borrowed by the Army to serve as a civilian instructor at the photographic center at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey where he taught members of the women's Army Corps in the still photography and photo lab course one of the women there was private Marion Bliss a useful and ornamental member of Uncle Sam's Army when Marion entered my class she wasn't very useful to the photographic center because she just finished her basic training and didn't know her shutter from a Venetian blind but I guess you could call her ornamental that is if you happen to like lively brown eyes trim ankles and a kind of figgy you see on calendars you don't who doesn't but Marion had fiery red hair I know lots of well never mind what's wrong with that Marion had a fiery red temper to match I should have known I remember the day I found out it was about two weeks after Marion arrived at Monmouth she was determined to be a demon photographer and six easy lessons I was explained to my class the value of using your head to save your film now the shot seems to be of a bear in a zoo it was a polar bear in Central Park Zoo he was yawning Mr. Ludlow oh is that what it is that's a blurred I couldn't make it out private bliss why don't you take time to set up your tripod you've got a steady camera you can get a better shot Mr. Ludlow Marion didn't have time if it had been Mr. Ludlow the bear would have told him when he was going to yawn wasn't a shot like that worth a chance a poor picture is as bad as no picture at all private Anderson often worse because it may make you lose a chance to get a good picture just remember think before you shoot don't put ideas in my head now any more questions yes sir would you have taken a chance on getting that picture of the bear yawning even without a tripod well I classes dismissed private bliss like a word with you yes Mr. Ludlow you want to be a good for talk you've got to learn to take criticism honey don't call me honey I'd like to know what any of us have gotten from you since we've been here that's the only way to show you how to avoid making the same mistake twice private did it ever occur to you Mr. Ludlow that a little praise now and then might help to oh so that's it you want me to praise you I would be encouraging if I could think that at least one picture I've made isn't a total failure well I must admit you've made one very fine picture oh which one the picture you're making that uniform honey even I couldn't take a better one well of all the kids hey Macri and come back I'm sorry male I can't stand the sound of the word men are all a bunch of egomaniacs smug I'm feeding it easy girl different kind of male look at the big box that came for you open it up and give that's from your mother we've all been waiting here drooling helping it's another fruit cake okay come and get it oh I'd like to shove it down that guy's throat box and all I don't let that let look I get you going honey well he treats us as though we're a bunch of backward children I'd like to see some of the pictures Mr. Big takes take a look at this issue of photo news they've got a whole article on him oh let's see listen to this Don Ludlow one of America's outstanding news photographers added another prize to his growing collection with this shot which won him his third page won a war heaven say cut the cake before you read is the whole thing I'm starving to death and you read a magazine oh I'm sorry kid well here dig in everybody thanks Mary gee the army does pretty well by us doesn't it getting a big shot like Ludlow to teach us photography big shot he's big in the head I think he's cute he so it looks like Gregory Peck wow my sometimes I think your taste is all confined to your mouth attention Lieutenant Acosta this is an unofficial visit I was just over talking to Mr. Ludlow he told me how well you're all getting along well I'm proud of you and I wanted to tell you so he said some of you seemed a little discouraged but there was no reason for it oh fruitcake how nice my mother said it lieutenant won't you have some thank you privately by the way what are you here from Korea your brother about due for leave he's on his way home now isn't that wonderful yes that is wonderful well I have to dash now I'm doing a staff meeting in eight minutes by the way the general's having some special guests at inspection tomorrow I know you'll do me proud ah gee nice girl that lieutenant imagine her remembering about my brother wasn't it nice of her to tell us what Ludlow said she must have come right over maybe he's not so bad after all maybe not and you know you might be right Alma he does look a little like Gregory Peck especially in the picture they used of him in the magazine and I think if you'd use your range find a control instead of guessing Betty you'd find it would pay yes sir oh Alma for the love of Mike you forgot to pull out the slide on that shot good heavens I guess I'll never learn I never seem to remember to do all the things I always forget well it has to become automatic let's see how your camera set now Alma ah good girl that should be perfect professor I don't want to bother you but would you do me a favor that's of course Marion what well would you take a picture of me to send to my mother sure I'd be glad to you ready hold it got it professor I think you'd better take that one again if you want it to come out you hadn't used your camera yet today and your lens was still capped okay tell Alma I guess I was too interested in what I had in the viewer why you and that's the way it went for the full 12 weeks course then Don left Monmouth for his old job in the New York Chronicle and a week later Marion graduated and was assigned to the public information office in Fort Jay on Governor's Island New York her boss Captain Adams thinks she's a whiz said she took the best picture of President Eisenhower he'd seen Don had seemingly passed out of her life and vice versa until one day the chief called him into his office I got an assignment for you Penn Station a trainload of movie stars are doing to kick off a big defense bond drive this week and not taste sent the shoot cheesecake honestly chief you just don't appreciate my talent what's wrong with cheesecake when it's Rita Hayworth huh nothing in the world she take it all back not a thing hey you know I'm a sucker for red hair so maybe you'll be eager enough to get some pictures back here in time for the first edition for a chain I always do oh sure sure on my honor as a boy scout I'll be back in a flash with the flashes you're better every man for himself lady just one more time of course thanks Rita sorry that great man in person yeah what are you doing here I was trying to get a picture until you shoved me out of the way well you got to learn to shove back kid here I'll show you okay out of the way but move over give the little lady a chance I can get a clear shot oh got it oh and thanks hey you station around here for Jane we can't talk here how about dinner well I'd like that all right I'll meet you at 7 30 pick you up give me your address the chief is probably getting a horse yelling it's wonderful town when you're with the right person there are more things you can do you like the musical oh it was wonderful done it was a good show hmm whoever thought there would be a place like this in the middle of New York on top of a hotel where you can dance outdoors under the stars I can hardly believe I'm here I can hardly believe you are either I'm not pressing my luck I'll just accept it but you're not all here at that what's the matter well I'm having a wonderful time but I am I keep thinking about those pictures for the bond drive I've got the glimmering of an idea here we go again you know Marin you look like Miss America but you've got a speed graphic built into your mind if I should tell you your eyes are beautiful you tell me they were compensated viewers and automatic range finders look you're out with a guy I'm trying to tell you silly but it's your fault you taught me how important range finders viewers light meters shutter speeds and openings okay baby I know when I'm licked for a minute anyway now what's the idea that's hammering at your mind and hampering my plans I am I was trying to think of a picture that would be dramatic and at the same time show people just what their money goes for the money they put into defense bonds you've thought of one or you wouldn't be talking maybe it's been done it's so simple but I think it would be effective well get out of that honey well why not take a group of soldiers like the garrison at Fort Jay for instance line them all up and spell out by US defense bonds it's not bad no you don't like it I was thinking about it I do it's good simple gets its message across easily what are you gonna do with it I don't know that's what I was asking you I'm not sure what I think except that right now I can't think of anything except that PFC Marion bliss is smiling I didn't think you noticed what oh your promotion now congratulations but I'm not surprised Marion with your ability I expect to see you go right up I can see you I'll take pictures of it PFC bliss corporal bliss sergeant bliss lieutenant bliss wait a minute you skipped a couple of grades in an awful hurry and I got tired of waiting so did you know I wish it were that fast though I'm quite happy at the moment being a PFC I dub even happier if you could find some way to use that picture idea look honey I want to keep you happy but couldn't we just forget about this screwball picture idea just for tonight I told you I'd see the chief you haven't changed a bit screwball picture idea just because you didn't think of it you're the same egotistical self-esteem genius that I first honey hold on trying to hold on trying to hold on to my temper I'm getting out of here before I lose before you lose marry honey come back marry and I'm sorry you are listening to the proudly we hail production portrait of a soldier will return in just a moment for the second act here's an opportunity for you young women of America an opportunity to get in step with the smartest today the rapidly expanding women's Army Corps proud newcomer on the team of defense needs qualified young women between the ages of 18 and 34 this is your chance to do an important job the pay is good with excellent prospect of rapid advancement why not check with your local United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station today you'll find that it's easy to get in step with these proud American women who are serving their country in the women's Army Corps you are listening to proudly we hail and now we present the second act of portrait of a soldier it didn't look as though Don and Marion would ever get together for her picture idea or anything else and then Don had an idea he went to his boss well how about a chief we get the okay we got it down they'll have all the men stationed at Fort Jay up in the parade ground tomorrow afternoon as soon as your helicopter comes in sight they'll fall into formation and spell out by US bonds and you'll get the picture good that's a picture that should get in the papers all over the country or to sell a million bonds oh hold on now just one thing just one thing how did you ever get an idea for a picture to sell defense bonds well I'll tell you I had a dream in a nightclub one night remember that when you get an expense account voucher for two how far do you think you can stretch my patriotism oh a captain Adams at Fort Jay he's your contact said the army will give us full cooperation now out to that airport before that pilot starts charging us overtime have it bliss what do you think of the idea well I think it's fine captain good good you're the girl for it I'm counting on you to see the newspaper gets whatever help it needs to get the picture every soldier in the garrison who can be spared will be on that parade ground waiting for the helicopter to fly over the army was very pleased with the idea consider it an important job now withers will take the army pictures you'll be the army's liaison with a press photographer you're gonna give them every assistance oh don't worry I will now they're sending Don Ludlow he's one of the best men in New York I hear oh it's a matter don't you like him I thought you knew him that's why he was my instructor at Monmouth well good you two should have plenty to talk about plenty now the formation is called for three o'clock you shouldn't have any trouble getting fine thing you know much time I'm wasting waiting for that character to show up gee I'm sorry I don't know what could have happened to Mr. Ludlow I called his office they said he left a long time not that I'm minding too much it isn't often I get to wait with a girl it's pretty as you you know that uniform looks good on him it looks good on every girl that a girl stick up your unit but that photographer he's crazy to keep a girl like you waiting of course if he wasn't crazy he wouldn't be a photographer I'd say I can assure you all photographers aren't crazy only this one okay sister don't get sore I'm not sore at you but this is ridiculous those troops are ready and waiting the aerial camera is ready and waiting you and your helicopter ready and waiting everybody's waiting for the great man Don Ludlow I wonder if he doesn't overestimate the power of the press or of his name never knew Ludlow to be this late oh you've flown in before yeah nice fella nice oh he's impossible he could have walked here in the time he's taken if his office was right about when he left maybe he ran out of gas or something not unless he's driving some babed on a country road oh so that's the kind of guy he is I wouldn't be surprised at that you must like this guy you hate himself I wouldn't do him the honor well it's all very interesting but I was set to take off at 2 30 sister if he's not here by 3 30 I'm leaving ready or not but you can't the pictures if Ludlow isn't here that's his funeral I've got other jobs you think that newspaper photographer is Captain Adams I can't say sir I've called his office what time is it now almost 3 30 this is too much I can't keep these men out here in the hot sun all afternoon oh sir I mean to dismiss them sir I hate to keep these men waiting this way captain but I would like to get that picture I know just how you feel sir and I'd like to get my hands on that photographer captain I'd like to help you if you do I'll wait a second it's just another plane going somewhere Ludlow had motor possibly but he could have fallen to something we'll wait 10 more minutes captain if he hasn't shown up by then dismiss the man yes sir I didn't think that would be a good picture wait oh there it is I had last well trained captain thanks remarkable things those helicopters look at the way it hovers there didn't take them long once they got here they must be all through they're going away is it so was someone at the airport glad you made it this time I didn't those pictures better be good huh I didn't get there you didn't get there so what are you talking about I couldn't make it there was a fire couldn't make it first Army promised this cooperation they'll cork marshal you and me too I wouldn't blame it you you mean no pictures no pictures I didn't get there where in the world were you stopped off in some nice cool bar I suppose and forgot what time it was nope where I was it was hot where I'd like to send you it'll be hotter the kind of people they give me to run a newspaper well what's the story this time well I was in the Queen's tunnel going out to the airport from here traffic jammed up I thought it was a traffic jam longest traffic jam I ever heard of the truck going through the tunnel called fire stopped all the traffic couldn't go forward couldn't get out until they got the fire out until the truck out that'll be a good story you got pictures of course of course that's something well you God's what like tell first Army I get the whole army to do something for a picture and you know hold on you get out of that helicopter right away get those pictures I'll call the general have him hold his mental you get there it's too late now chief lights no good son will be down by the light of a match but get those pictures man will have been dismissed a long time ago you're fine and I'll listen chief there was a fire can't you understand I can understand is that I want a photographer comes back with a picture when he goes out to get one well maybe we can use the army picture call them up and see if they'll let us have a copy but that doesn't excuse you I'll be on the extension I captain this is done I warned you about the pictures today look I got caught in the tunnel truck caught fire out in front of me it was a good idea all right we'd be glad to if we have any seems to be a crisis here the chief will call you back later I tried he just wouldn't understand nobody seems to understand you I hope you're new boss if you ever get another job which I doubt you will well the long it's been real nice come back here you idiot but you mean I'm still with no no I mean leave the pictures of that tunnel fire all it downstairs being developed as a final favor chief I'll get down and see if they're ready yet I'll notify accounting you can pick up your check tomorrow I haven't mailed to you they told me I find Mr. Ludlow here not anymore you won't oh he doesn't work here not for the last 10 minutes I'd say I just fired it oh you're I was I feel like a free man now what can I do for you I'm private bliss of the public information office at court Jay if you come about those pictures he didn't take any but blithering idiot can't even find his way across the East River I came to bring you the captain Adam said withers was called off and let those as he didn't get there he didn't I didn't you're beginning to look as though you came from heaven I'm not from that high only a helicopter how come you got the pictures when Ludlow didn't well when your pilot and I realized Mr. Ludlow wasn't going to arrive we just flew over and got the shots anyway this I've got to tell Ludlow he can't even get to the airport and a slip of a girl goes up and takes the picture that isn't anything sir every whack gets photographic training and aerial photography those fire pictures of it oh oh Mary Ludlow this young lady got the bond pictures and saved our necks I want you to meet a photographer who can use her head as well as a camera we've met yes a chief this is the dream I told you I had at the nightclub nice dreaming boy your taste improving this was her idea that bond picture confession is supposed to be good for the soul mr. Ludlow your idea your pictures if you ever leave the service I want you to work for me I can always use a good photographer and what are you doing well only captain Adams seeing credit is given what credit is due hi captain this is Don Ludlow again crisis is over I was trying to tell you I never get out to the airport but private bliss used her head took my pilot and helicopter when I didn't show up she took the pictures that's what I'm trying to tell you it wasn't me was private bliss using her head over and beyond the call of duty or something I will so my be seeing you don't I and I thought you were the most conceited man he is a nice girl like you shouldn't have anything to do with him oh that's what I keep telling myself yeah yeah I know it's like the way I fire him and he gets a lucky break and comes in with a spot picture while someone else covers the picture he should have had a where are those fire pictures Ludlow still downstairs I decided if I was fired you could run your own errands I was telephoning you mean you made a phone call not from this office can't believe it I was calling Bannon at the globe what he said I ought to tell you he offered me a job and ten dollar raise over what I get here but I can't he wasn't in okay I know when I'm like you're back on the payroll now stop loitering Ludlow get downstairs and help Brownie get those bond pictures develop okay chief come on honey you were assigned to this job when I help me in Brownie how far can my duty take me Captain Adam says you don't have to go back to the island this afternoon and besides you were told to cooperate with the paper that's me in every way possible well I'm all the conceited really what you think of me no no I'm afraid I think you're pretty special get out of here I got a paper to get out come along honey you heard the boss yes sir and that's the story of portrait of a soldier the million dollar picture because one of the pictures PFC Marion bliss took was credited with selling a million dollars worth of defense bonds so proudly we hail PFC Marion bliss and the other hard-working devoted girls in the women's Army Corps young woman how about your future does it include an interesting and important job a job that will take you to the exciting places of the world places where tomorrow's history is being made today right now young women like yourself are urgently needed to serve their country in the women's Army Corps here's your opportunity to secure your future go to your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station and get all the facts today this has been another program on proudly we hail presented transcribed in cooperation with this station proudly we hail is produced by the recruiting publicity center for the United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting service this is Kenneth Banghardt speaking and inviting you to tune in the same station next week for another interesting story on proudly we hail