Utah Deaf Films
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Published in 2013
Updated in 2024
Published in 2013
Updated in 2024
Utah School for the Deaf Video, 1940-1965:
Filmed & Produced by Kenneth C. Burdett
Filmed & Produced by Kenneth C. Burdett
The Utah Association for the Deaf held its 33rd Biennial Convention in 1989, where a 16 mm film titled "A History of the Utah School for the Deaf: 1940-1965" was shown. As a teacher at the Utah School for the Deaf, Kenneth C. Burdett, a 1929 alumni, videotaped Deaf students on the school's campus over decades and made a video documenting class trips, graduations, and other noteworthy campus events.
W. David Mortensen, the President of UAD and an alumnus from 1949, fondly remembers the unique benefits of the school experience. He said, "It [the film] shows that it [the school experience] never harmed a deaf boy or girl to be sent away from home to a school that exclusively served their needs. Education, socialization, leadership training, discipline, drama, dance, public speaking, sports, entertainment, etc.—you name it, it was there. Those were very, very happy times. However, President Mortensen acknowledged that times have changed and questioned whether they have changed for the better or worse. He also asked if mainstreaming was the answer and responded that it was not. Some might consider mainstreaming a trend in this modern age, but he disagreed. He suggested that one could talk to people who had spent time at school away from home and ask if they felt it was a mistake, as quoted, "Times have changed," and he questioned, "Have they changed for the better or worse?" "Is mainstreaming the answer?" "No, I would say not. Some say it is a trend and that this is a modern age. Shucks, I say, but you be the judge. You can talk to any one of those who spent time at school away from home and see if they feel it was a mistake" (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, June 1990, p. 1). David's reaction exemplifies why the Utah School for the Deaf is encouraged to speak with alums for school placement advice before meeting with the accreditation team for review. You can visit the "Utah School for the Deaf Archive" webpage for additional information on the "Accreditation Visiting Team Report of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind."
After the 1976 reunion of the Utah School for the Deaf, the Utah Association of Deaf retrieved Kenneth's old films and converted them to video. UAD believes his films represent an essential part of USD's history, as stated in UAD Bulletin, June 1990, Sanderson; UAD Bulletin, September 1996.
We hope Kenneth's films will help you better understand campus life, which is not as terrible as you may think. You can download Kenneth's film in full from our website.
We hope Kenneth's films will help you better understand campus life, which is not as terrible as you may think. You can download Kenneth's film in full from our website.
"The Ring" Film By Keith E. Stewart, 1969
Keith E. Stewart, an alumnus of the Utah School for the Deaf from 1958, purchased a Bolex super 8mm camera in the 1960s. He learned how to use it and produced his first film called "The Ring" in the basement of his home. The movie featured Georgie Stewart (mother), Wayne Stewart (father), Sheelan Stewart (daughter), Lloyd DeGraw (friend), and Diane Quinn Williams as performers and actresses (former wife).
Keith took part in a play for the Utah Association for the Deaf's Night Drama before he made "The Ring" movie. He decided to showcase a sign language film at the UAD Night Drama in October 1969, as he wanted to try something new. Out of ten teams that participated, he was the only one who showed a sign language film and won first place.
The actors and actresses in the film used "English" sign language as it was before the late 1970s when American Sign Language became a significant component of the Deaf community.
Keith took part in a play for the Utah Association for the Deaf's Night Drama before he made "The Ring" movie. He decided to showcase a sign language film at the UAD Night Drama in October 1969, as he wanted to try something new. Out of ten teams that participated, he was the only one who showed a sign language film and won first place.
The actors and actresses in the film used "English" sign language as it was before the late 1970s when American Sign Language became a significant component of the Deaf community.
The following is a summary of the movie "The Ring" filmed by Keith Stewart, who is deaf. It is worth noting that Keith's parents, Wayne and Georgie Stewart, are also deaf. Wayne attended the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in 1930, while Georgie Mae enrolled at the age of 13 and remained there until she turned 18. She then left school to marry Wayne. Keith's younger sister, Darlene Cochran, the wife of C. Roy Cochran, is also deaf and graduated from USD in 1962. Gene, Keith's brother, is the only hearing child in the family. He previously served as the director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf and worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the deaf. Keith's daughter, Sari, is also deaf and graduated from USD in 1984. She is one of six children. Please note that Keith's "The Ring Film" summary has no captions. We hope you find it enjoyable.
Rodney Wilson Walker's Life, 2006:
Filmed and Produced by Bobby Giles
Filmed and Produced by Bobby Giles
Bobby Giles, an alumnus of the Utah School for the Deaf from 1983, created a film in 2006 about Rodney Wilson Walker, a well-known member of the Deaf community in Utah who had also published a book titled "My Life Story" that same year.
Rodney was an active member of the Utah Deaf community for several years. He held various positions, including president of the Utah Association of the Deaf, delegate to the National Association of the Deaf, president of the Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf, president of the Northwest Athletic Association of the Deaf, and national chairman of the American Athletic Association of the Deaf basketball tournament in Salt Lake City. He was also a member of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf's Salt Lake City Division No. 56, the United Utah Organizations of the Deaf, and the Beehive Chapter of the Gallaudet University Alumni Association.
Rodney was an active member of the Utah Deaf community for several years. He held various positions, including president of the Utah Association of the Deaf, delegate to the National Association of the Deaf, president of the Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf, president of the Northwest Athletic Association of the Deaf, and national chairman of the American Athletic Association of the Deaf basketball tournament in Salt Lake City. He was also a member of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf's Salt Lake City Division No. 56, the United Utah Organizations of the Deaf, and the Beehive Chapter of the Gallaudet University Alumni Association.
Rodney W. Walker was an 84-year-old descendant of Utah pioneers. He was named the first Deaf temple sealer in 1998 and served as a bishop for the Salt Lake Valley Ward in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rodney lived a long and prosperous life, passing away at the age of 93 in 2007. In a video honoring him, childhood photographs of Rodney were shown, and Sandra Link, Bobby Giles' assistant, interviewed him. During a ceremony, C. Roy Cochran and Ronald C. Burdett shared stories about Rodney's accomplishments.