Hello Everyone!
In May 1955, Jack Kelly starred in an episode of Cavalcade of America, a TV series which dramatized inspiring historical incidents from the lives of real-life Americans.
JK was cast as "James E. West", an attorney and advocate for children. Born in Washington, D.C., in 1876, West spent most of his own childhood in an orphanage after his parents died.
While in the orphanage, West was diagnosed with a tubercular hip, which left him with one leg shorter than the other. He wore a leg brace until he was strong enough to use crutches.
Unable to do physically demanding work like the other boys, West was relegated to the orphanage's sewing room with the girls. But, he longed to attend school. He was eventually permitted to attend classes and later graduated with honors from high school.
West taught himself to ride and repair bicycles, and attended law school while working at various administrative jobs. He passed the bar in Washington, D.C., and in 1902 was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt to the Board of Pension Appeals in the Department of the Interior.
It's during this phase of West's life that the plot of "Sunrise on a Dirty Face", JK's episode of Cavalcade of America, begins.
"HAPPY HOMECOMING--Marion West (Lois Collier) welcomes her attorney husband, James (Jack Kelly) from his visit with Theodore Roosevelt in the White House in a scene from 'Sunrise on a Dirty Face' on Cavalcade of America on ABC-TV. "
One day, a youngster named Jeremy Haggott is caught stealing coal from a bin at West's home. West declines to press charges, but the boy is taken into custody:
"'BUT YOU PROMISED ME'...Jeremy Haggott (Peter Reynolds, right) voices his ire to James E. West (Jack Kelly) as he is taken into custody by a constable in 'Sunrise on a Dirty Face'. "
When Jeremy ends up in court, West serves as his attorney. He's appalled by how badly juvenile delinquents are treated by the court. West successfully lobbies to establish the juvenile court system in America.
In reality, a young man stole West's car and it was that incident which prompted the attorney to ensure that juvenile offenders would be treated fairly in court. West also pushed for reform in the child care system, working to dismantle the orphanage model and encouraging foster care. From 1911-1943, he served as Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. West died in 1948.
Cavalcade of America, sponsored by Du Pont, became Du Pont Cavalcade Theater the following season and focused on more contemporary events. However, "Sunrise on a Dirty Face" must have been rerun that season, because the second photo above is promoting Du Pont Cavalcade Theater and is dated May 1956.
West? East? Which direction will TDS go next? Please stay tuned and find out!
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