Utah Deaf Films
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Published in 2013
Updated in 2024
Published in 2013
Updated in 2024
25 Years of the Utah School for the Deaf: 1940-1965
Filmed & Produced by Kenneth C. Burdett
Filmed & Produced by Kenneth C. Burdett
The 33rd Biennial Convention of the Utah Association for the Deaf in 1989 was a pivotal event in the history of the association. A highlight of the convention was the screening of a 16mm film titled "25 Years of the Utah School for the Deaf: 1940-1965." This treasured historical work, created by Kenneth C. Burdett, a 1929 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf and a teacher there, vividly depicts the experiences of Deaf students on the residential campus in Ogden over several decades, showcasing class trips, graduations, and other important campus events. It marked a significant moment in the history of the Utah Association for the Deaf.
Kenneth's film is more than just a historical record; it is a living testament to the shared history of the Utah Deaf community. The film vividly brings to life the unique and rich heritage of the community, fostering a deep sense of connection, pride, and appreciation in the audience.
Kenneth's film is more than just a historical record; it is a living testament to the shared history of the Utah Deaf community. The film vividly brings to life the unique and rich heritage of the community, fostering a deep sense of connection, pride, and appreciation in the audience.
In 1990, W. David Mortensen, also known as Dave, then President of the Utah Association for the Deaf and a 1949 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf, shared his article in the UAD Bulletin of June 1990. He shared his fond memories and benefits of attending a school that inclusively served the needs of Deaf students. He believed that sending a Deaf child to such a school never harmed them and provided them with education, socialization, leadership training, discipline, drama, dance, public speaking, sports, entertainment, and more. Those were very, very happy times, he said. Dave acknowledged that times have changed and questioned if they have changed for the better or worse. He disagreed that mainstreaming was the answer despite it being considered a trend in modern times. He suggested that people speak to those who have spent time away from home at a deaf school and ask if they felt it was a mistake. Dave asked, "Have times changed for the better or worse?" and "Is mainstreaming the answer?" He answered that he believed it was not the solution. He emphasized the crucial importance of consulting with Deaf residential school alums before making the school placement decision (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, June 1990, p. 1). The sentiments expressed by the attendees were diverse, reflecting a range of perspectives on the past, present, and future of deaf education.
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. The Utah Association for the Deaf believes his film represents an essential part of the Utah School for the Deaf's history, as stated in UAD Bulletin, June 1990, Sanderson; UAD Bulletin, September 1996.
As the author of this website, I trust that Kenneth C. Burdett's film will provide you with a deeper understanding of life on their campus. I assure you that it wasn't as terrible as you might have imagined.
As the author of this website, I trust that Kenneth C. Burdett's film will provide you with a deeper understanding of life on their campus. I assure you that it wasn't as terrible as you might have imagined.
"The Ring" Film By Keith E. Stewart, 1969
Keith E. Stewart, a 1956 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf, started a unique journey in the 1960s. He bought a Bolex Super 8mm camera and taught himself how to use it. Eventually, he made his first film, 'The Ring,' in the basement of his home. This movie provided a rare look into the Deaf community, featuring Georgie Stewart (mother), Wayne Stewart (father), Sheelan Stewart (daughter), Lloyd DeGraw (friend), and Diane Quinn Williams (former wife) as performers and actresses.
Before making his film, Keith had participated in a play for the Utah Association for the Deaf's Night Drama. However, he decided to showcase a sign language film at the UAD Night Drama in October 1969, which set him apart. Among ten teams, he was the sole presenter of a sign language film, a bold and innovative move that earned him first place.
The actors and actresses in the film used "English" sign language, a significant detail that places the film in a historical context before the late 1970s when American Sign Language became a prominent component of the Deaf community.
Before making his film, Keith had participated in a play for the Utah Association for the Deaf's Night Drama. However, he decided to showcase a sign language film at the UAD Night Drama in October 1969, which set him apart. Among ten teams, he was the sole presenter of a sign language film, a bold and innovative move that earned him first place.
The actors and actresses in the film used "English" sign language, a significant detail that places the film in a historical context before the late 1970s when American Sign Language became a prominent component of the Deaf community.
Here is a summary of Deaf director Keith Stewart's film, 'The Ring'. The film offers a unique perspective on the Deaf community. Keith's parents, Wayne and Georgie Stewart, were also deaf. Wayne attended the Utah School for the Deaf in 1930, while Georgie Mae enrolled at the age of 13 and stayed until she turned 18. She then left school to marry Wayne. Keith's younger sister, Darlene Cochran, who was married to C. Roy Cochran, was also deaf and graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf in 1962. Keith's brother, Gene, is the only hearing child in the family. He was previously the director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf, as well as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the deaf. Keith's daughter, Sari, is also deaf and graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf in 1984. She is the only Deaf daughter of one of six siblings. It's important to note that Keith's film 'The Ring' does not include captions. We hope you enjoy the film.
Rodney Wilson Walker's Life, 2006:
Filmed and Produced by Bobby Giles
Filmed and Produced by Bobby Giles
Bobby Giles, a 1983 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf, and his team at Eye-Sign Media, LLC, which includes Julio Diaz Jr. and Jim Harper, produced a film in 2006 about Rodney Wilson Walker, a prominent leader of the Deaf community in Utah. The same year, Rodney Wilson Walker also published a book titled "My Life Story."
Rodney Wilson Walker was born on February 23, 1914. He enrolled at the Utah School for the Deaf at the age of six and graduated in 1933. At Gallaudet, Rodney was a member of the Kappa Gamma Fraternity, the football, basketball, and track teams, the Kappa Gamma Fraternity Dance, and the Football Homecoming Dance. He graduated from Gallaudet College in 1939.
After graduating from Gallaudet College, Rodney returned to Utah and became involved in the Utah Deaf community. He was a dependable spiritual, social, and sports leader. He was the president of the Utah Association of the Deaf, a 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 Salt Lake City Division No. 56, the United Utah Organizations of the Deaf, and the Gallaudet University Alumni Association's Beehive Chapter.
Rodney Wilson Walker was born on February 23, 1914. He enrolled at the Utah School for the Deaf at the age of six and graduated in 1933. At Gallaudet, Rodney was a member of the Kappa Gamma Fraternity, the football, basketball, and track teams, the Kappa Gamma Fraternity Dance, and the Football Homecoming Dance. He graduated from Gallaudet College in 1939.
After graduating from Gallaudet College, Rodney returned to Utah and became involved in the Utah Deaf community. He was a dependable spiritual, social, and sports leader. He was the president of the Utah Association of the Deaf, a 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 Salt Lake City Division No. 56, the United Utah Organizations of the Deaf, and the Gallaudet University Alumni Association's Beehive Chapter.
Rodney was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as bishop of the Salt Lake Valley Ward in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1998, at the age of 84, he became the first Deaf temple sealer. He was a descendant of Utah pioneers. Rodney lived a long and prosperous life, passing away at the age of 93 in 2007.
Rodney's childhood photographs were shown in a video honoring him. Sandra Link, Bobby Giles' assistant, interviewed him. During a ceremony, C. Roy Cochran and Ronald C. Burdett shared stories about Rodney's accomplishments. Rodney lived a long and prosperous life, passing away at the age of 93 on August 2, 2007. He was a man to admire and love, achieving much without complaint and continually working, giving, and serving.
Rodney's childhood photographs were shown in a video honoring him. Sandra Link, Bobby Giles' assistant, interviewed him. During a ceremony, C. Roy Cochran and Ronald C. Burdett shared stories about Rodney's accomplishments. Rodney lived a long and prosperous life, passing away at the age of 93 on August 2, 2007. He was a man to admire and love, achieving much without complaint and continually working, giving, and serving.