Utah Deaf Films
Utah School for the Deaf Video, 1940-1965:
Filmed & Produced by Kenneth C. Burdett
Filmed & Produced by Kenneth C. Burdett
Kenneth C. Burdett
In 1989, a 16 mm film called “A History of the Utah School for the Deaf: 1940-1965” was displayed at the 33rd Biennial Convention of the Utah Association for the Deaf (UAD). While employed at the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) as a teacher, Kenneth C. Burdett, 1929 alumnus, filmed Deaf students on the school campus over the decades and produced a movie showing class trips, graduations, and memorable campus activities.
David Mortensen, UAD President and 1949 alumnus commented, “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, dramatics, dance, public speaking, sports, entertainment, etc., you name it, it was there. Those were very, very happy times.” President Mortensen however said, “Times have changed.” and he questioned, “Have they changed for the better or worse?” “Is mainstreaming the answer?” He again responded, “No, I would say not. Some say it is a trend, that this is a modern age. Shucks, I say, however, you be the judge. You talk to any one of those who spent at school away from home and see if any feel it was a mistake” (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, June 1990, p. 1). David's response is a good example as to why Utah School for the Deaf is encouraged to consult with the alumni for input concerning school placement before meeting with the accreditation team for evaluation. For more information about "Accreditation Visiting Team Report of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind," go to the "The Utah School for the Deaf Archive" webpage.
Soon thereafter, UAD compiled Kenneth’s old films and transferred them to video. The association felt these videos were important part of USD history (UAD Bulletin, June 1990, Sanderson; UAD Bulletin, September 1996).
In the end, we hope the Kenneth's films below will give you a better idea of what student life was like at the school campus. It's not as bad as you may have thought.
We are in the process of downloading the full version of Kenneth's film to this website. In the meantime, enjoy viewing the shorter version of the videos.
David Mortensen, UAD President and 1949 alumnus commented, “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, dramatics, dance, public speaking, sports, entertainment, etc., you name it, it was there. Those were very, very happy times.” President Mortensen however said, “Times have changed.” and he questioned, “Have they changed for the better or worse?” “Is mainstreaming the answer?” He again responded, “No, I would say not. Some say it is a trend, that this is a modern age. Shucks, I say, however, you be the judge. You talk to any one of those who spent at school away from home and see if any feel it was a mistake” (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, June 1990, p. 1). David's response is a good example as to why Utah School for the Deaf is encouraged to consult with the alumni for input concerning school placement before meeting with the accreditation team for evaluation. For more information about "Accreditation Visiting Team Report of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind," go to the "The Utah School for the Deaf Archive" webpage.
Soon thereafter, UAD compiled Kenneth’s old films and transferred them to video. The association felt these videos were important part of USD history (UAD Bulletin, June 1990, Sanderson; UAD Bulletin, September 1996).
In the end, we hope the Kenneth's films below will give you a better idea of what student life was like at the school campus. It's not as bad as you may have thought.
We are in the process of downloading the full version of Kenneth's film to this website. In the meantime, enjoy viewing the shorter version of the videos.
"The Ring" Film By Keith E. Stewart, 1969
Keith E. Stewart with his award, 1969
In the 1960s, Keith E. Stewart, Utah School for the Deaf alumnus of 1958 purchased a Bolex super 8mm camera. After learning how to use it, he filmed and produced his first movie called “The Ring” in the basement of his home. The actors and actresses were: Georgie Stewart (mother), Wayne Stewart (father), Sheelan Stewart (daughter), Lloyd DeGraw, (friend) and Diane Quinn Williams (former wife).
Before Keith filmed “The Ring” movie, he participated in a play for the Night Drama of the Utah Association for the Deaf (UAD). In October 1969, he decided to do something different by showing a sign language film at the UAD Night Drama. At the event, he was one of ten groups that participated in the competition and he was the only one who displayed a sign language film. As a result, he won first place!
In this film, you will find the actors and actresses signed in “English” while acting. It was before American Sign Language became a big part of the Deaf community in the late 1970s.
This film is not captioned. Keith provides a summary of "The Ring" film in the following attachment: "Summary of The Ring Film." Enjoy!
Note: Keith Stewart is a Deaf son of Deaf parents, Wayne and Georgie Stewart. Wayne graduated from Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in 1930. Georgie Mae, at the age of 13 enrolled at USD and remained there until the age of 18. She left school to marry Wayne. Keith's younger sister, Darlene Cochran (wife of C. Roy Cochran) is also Deaf and she graduated from USD in 1962. His brother, Gene is the only hearing child in the family. He is a former vocational rehabilitation counselor for the deaf and director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf. Out of six children, Keith's daughter, Sari is Deaf and graduated from USD in 1984.
Before Keith filmed “The Ring” movie, he participated in a play for the Night Drama of the Utah Association for the Deaf (UAD). In October 1969, he decided to do something different by showing a sign language film at the UAD Night Drama. At the event, he was one of ten groups that participated in the competition and he was the only one who displayed a sign language film. As a result, he won first place!
In this film, you will find the actors and actresses signed in “English” while acting. It was before American Sign Language became a big part of the Deaf community in the late 1970s.
This film is not captioned. Keith provides a summary of "The Ring" film in the following attachment: "Summary of The Ring Film." Enjoy!
Note: Keith Stewart is a Deaf son of Deaf parents, Wayne and Georgie Stewart. Wayne graduated from Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in 1930. Georgie Mae, at the age of 13 enrolled at USD and remained there until the age of 18. She left school to marry Wayne. Keith's younger sister, Darlene Cochran (wife of C. Roy Cochran) is also Deaf and she graduated from USD in 1962. His brother, Gene is the only hearing child in the family. He is a former vocational rehabilitation counselor for the deaf and director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf. Out of six children, Keith's daughter, Sari is Deaf and graduated from USD in 1984.
Rodney Wilson Walker's Life, 2006:
Filmed and Produced by Bobby Giles
Filmed and Produced by Bobby Giles
Rodney Wilson Walker
In 2006, a film of Rodney Wilson Walker was shot and produced by Bobby Giles, 1983 alumnus of the Utah School for the Deaf. Rodney was a well-known Deaf individual in the Utah Deaf community. Rodney also authored a book entitled, “My Life Story” in 2006.
Over the years, Rodney had long been actively making contributions in the Utah Deaf community. He served as president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, delegate to the National Association of the Deaf, the National Fraternal Society 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. In addition, he joined the Salt Lake City Division No. 56 of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, United Utah Organizations of the Deaf, and Beehive Chapter of Gallaudet University Alumni Association.
In 1998, Rodney W. Walker, then 84, a descendant of Utah pioneers, was called as the first Deaf temple sealer. He also served as a bishop of the Salt Lake Valley Ward in Salt Lake City, Utah. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 93. He had lived a long and productive life.
In the film, Rodney’s childhood pictures are displayed and the interview with him is conducted by Sandra Link, an assistant of Bobby Giles. An honoring ceremony is held for Rodney where C. Roy Cochran and Ronald C. Burdett delivered a story of his life as well as his accomplishments.
Over the years, Rodney had long been actively making contributions in the Utah Deaf community. He served as president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, delegate to the National Association of the Deaf, the National Fraternal Society 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. In addition, he joined the Salt Lake City Division No. 56 of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, United Utah Organizations of the Deaf, and Beehive Chapter of Gallaudet University Alumni Association.
In 1998, Rodney W. Walker, then 84, a descendant of Utah pioneers, was called as the first Deaf temple sealer. He also served as a bishop of the Salt Lake Valley Ward in Salt Lake City, Utah. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 93. He had lived a long and productive life.
In the film, Rodney’s childhood pictures are displayed and the interview with him is conducted by Sandra Link, an assistant of Bobby Giles. An honoring ceremony is held for Rodney where C. Roy Cochran and Ronald C. Burdett delivered a story of his life as well as his accomplishments.