WHRO Time Machine Video
It Happened In Norfolk
Special | 19m 52sVideo has Closed Captions
A groundbreaking film with sound, shot in Norfolk, blending drama, mystery, and school intrigue.
This historic show presents the first-ever sound film shot in and around Norfolk, VA. It weaves a captivating story of school rivalries, secrets, and personal struggles. With poetic narration and dramatic dialogue, it explores themes of ambition, betrayal, and resilience. The film offers a rare glimpse into early cinematic storytelling, blending mystery with rich atmospheric detail.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
WHRO Time Machine Video is a local public television program presented by WHRO Public Media
WHRO Time Machine Video
It Happened In Norfolk
Special | 19m 52sVideo has Closed Captions
This historic show presents the first-ever sound film shot in and around Norfolk, VA. It weaves a captivating story of school rivalries, secrets, and personal struggles. With poetic narration and dramatic dialogue, it explores themes of ambition, betrayal, and resilience. The film offers a rare glimpse into early cinematic storytelling, blending mystery with rich atmospheric detail.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch WHRO Time Machine Video
WHRO Time Machine Video is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
- Oh song by the fire pass.
The pipes passed the boat flow on by the fire.
Wind.
The wind, the snow flow on by the fire.
The fire the for the wind is waiting at the doorway and the snow drift deep along the road and the ice known to march from the Norway and the white here by the fire 85 cross zone for how we are warm and we have a harsh design for we alls and the Beachwood and the valleys and the compass after them.
Then the fellowship.
- Did you hear about dance last night?
- Dance I'm mood for Bob Ham.
Me.
He wrote some comedy for what I can understand he better be worrying about pay from his exams, half his exams.
I wished I could get his grades.
You mean the grades He used to get a guy that hangs around bins nights can't keep up his day.
Pardon me, but can you tell me where you get all your information right now?
Frank Buckley knows enough about that guy to have him kicked out school for good.
I wonder what Frank has against Bob anyway.
Well I wonder Bob Haley won the senior class election over Frank with three times Frank's vote.
Oh he, oh, oh come on.
What'd she say?
Bob - Said the tests weren't corrected yet.
- Bob, what's been eating you lately?
It isn't like you to flunk.
You haven't been your old self.
Is anything wrong?
Who folks say I just overheard your pal Frank talking about some big bump you got until last night fight.
- Oh, they expect me at the high y.
See you later.
- But what fight were you referring to Helen?
I know as much as you do.
- Well.
Well as our fighting hero sweetheart.
- The Gabby Gazette is in again.
He'll be able to tell you all about the big fight Jane.
He knows everything.
- Oh, dry out small fry.
- Oh, but that's beside the point.
Jane's waiting to hear about Bob's big fight last night.
Oh, - Tell me you didn't hear about the big brawling.
DOL is last night.
- Bobby Delvy don't make me laugh.
Well, you are pretty good at stories Frank.
He would at least pick the worst join in town.
- Oh yeah.
Well just wait till principal Dexter gets win the vote.
You'll see.
It's a good story.
Well, I'll be seeing you ya - So long dribble pu bob at Vis you don't think that.
I don't know what to think.
Helen.
Bob's been acting so strange lately.
- So the play winner is at it again.
Well, hello Jack.
Bet you all keyed up about now from other play winners tomorrow.
In no way.
Say what have you been doing yourself?
Nice.
Don't see you around here anymore.
Those are contests - And studies.
- Keep me pretty busy.
Well, I hope you win.
Say the initiation is on.
Come on.
Let's watch a fun.
- Okay, - Are you absolutely sure of all this?
Yes sir.
I hope you don't think I'm tithing Mr. Dexter.
As I said before, my sole purpose in telling you this is to see the right thing done.
Imagine if anyone should have seen our class present in that place.
Oh, - Pardon me, Mr. Dexter.
Ms. Lord is on the phone.
She would like to speak with you.
Thank you.
- Excuse me a moment.
Mr. Dexter speaking.
Oh yes, Ms. Lord.
What's that boy?
I can't understand it.
What was his grade?
I see I must get in touch with him immediately.
Yes.
Yes.
Thank you.
Bob was across the street at the high White House now, isn't he?
- I believe he is.
Mr. Dexter, - Ms. Hall, connect me with a high white House, please.
Yes.
Thank you.
- Okay, follows.
Let's get going.
Okey do Harry.
Well, what am I supposed to do now?
Yeah, you ought to measure the territory I specified on this paper using that fish as a ruler report back to me and tell me how many times a fish has been left.
Also bring back that fish.
You mean I got to do that and it's the streets, the street there.
Exactly.
But but but you don't go on.
Okay, you fellas step forward Now answer these questions.
What is your name?
- Because - Oh, keep in secret.
Say won't tell us your last name.
What's your name?
Philip James.
Like the buffalo.
Oh, getting the high hat.
Hey, first name isn't good enough.
Say, would you go out with a high wild brothers girl if she asked you to?
Sure would.
Oh, so you would cut in on a high wire brother.
Would you grow up with a high wire brothers girl?
I certainly would not.
Oh, so our girls aren't good enough for you, Mr. Dexter just phoned, said he wants you.
Come over, see him right away.
- Okay?
You, you wanted to see me?
Sir, you'll have to resign your office of presidency.
Bob resign my office.
But why Bob?
The president of the senior class is a boy who leads his classmates the better thing.
He sets an example for his followers.
He must be a fine clean, cut, upright young man.
Not one who frequents a place like Doughty.
But my reason for being at Delage, I would rather that we do away with any further discussion.
But Mr. Dex, I, that isn't the only thing.
Bob, I've just received news from Miss Lord that you failed to pass your chemistry exam for the second time with a mark of 44, 40 4% on a retake.
That's all I have to say.
But, but - Bob, I thought you went Why Bob?
What's the trouble?
- I'm quitting school.
Jane.
- Quitting school.
You mean you flunk the exam.
- It's not only that, it's - It's what?
Bob, Bob tell me, were you at Debby's last night?
Tell me the truth.
- Sure.
I'll tell you the truth.
Why shouldn't I, I was at Debby's last night and I did get into a fight, but it's not the way everybody seems to think.
Some drunk got fresh with a girl.
I was standing there and I socked him.
- But what in the world were you doing in that place?
- I, I worked there, - Worked there.
- I haven't told anyone because well naturally I'm not proud to be working the worst dive in town.
- What did Mr. Dexter have to say when he found out you worked there?
- He wouldn't even gimme a chance to explain.
- I'll bet my right arm.
He didn't find this out himself.
Somebody told him and I have a pretty good idea who did - Well, I've gotta get going.
See you tomorrow.
- Tomorrow.
What about our date tonight?
The high dance?
- We are not going, - Not going say you can't break a date on me that easy.
- I can't go to the dance tonight.
- You are calling for me at seven 30 that settles that.
And if you're not there by that time, I'll call for you at eight - But say you are okay, see you later.
- Jane.
Jane Helen.
Wasn't it Frank who first told you about Bob getting in that fight last night?
Say, is that still bothering you?
Anytime I'd let a guy like it was Frank, wasn't it?
Sure he is been advertising it all over school.
Wait here for me.
Well I'll be Mr. Dexter.
I came in to explain Bob's presence at Derby's last night.
- I've already settled that with Bob, - But he didn't explain.
He - The matter is closed.
Mr. Judd and I thank you to take up no more of my time, - But Mr. Dexter, - The matter is closed.
Don't you understand English?
- I understand English Mr. Dexter, but I thought that you might listen to reasons.
- How dare you speak to me in that matter.
Get of the opposite once.
- All I'm trying to say is if Bob works at Derby's, he had to work there.
I thought you should know that.
I'm sorry if I appeared fresh, I didn't mean to just as my eye.
That's squealing on a guy and you know it, you rat.
- I don't like she is.
- You are still a rat.
- The little girl knows all the answers - And so do I say, what's a big idea?
That's for squealing on my boyfriend.
You would be big shot you big I am you nothing but a cracked brain.
Lopsided, unimportant s with a superiority, complex Whoopee spirit.
Come on.
- I say I love and if I would miracle and - One of them made you do that, he'll kick you out of school.
- Oh, I don't care.
I at least had the satisfaction of explaining to him.
And besides when he's had time to think it over, he'll - Say, you are okay.
- You keep telling me that and someday I'll believe you.
- Well, where's that fish here now what's the total sixty thousand six hundred and fifty thousand six hundred.
And in your market down down.
I I I knew it a minute ago.
50,000 was 600.
Yeah.
Do it over again.
Since the judges of the annual - Prize play contest have come to a decision, I have been requested - To announce that the winner is none other than our own class president Bob Handling.
- Oh Bob, you won the prize play contest.
What?
Come on.
They're waiting for you in the ballroom.
They just announced it.
Oh God.
Well Dexter, when he hears about this, - Well, Bob, how does it feel to be the winning playwright of 1936?
Well, I, I, well folks, I guess we took him by surprise.
Nice going Bob, and let me be the first to congratulate you.
- Oh Bob, I can hardly believe it.
Congratulations Bob.
I think it's fair.
It's perfect.
Take his Dexter's in the lobby.
You want to see you both right away.
- He wanted to see us.
- Yeah, and believe it or not, he's in a good humor.
Come on Bob.
Oh boy.
Could I go for him?
In a big way.
- My congratulations to you Bob.
Thank you sir.
Won't you have a seat?
Incidentally, Bob, since our little discussion this afternoon, I've been doing some investigating.
I wish you'd told me of your trouble before, but that's beside the point.
Now I understand the main public library is in need of a reliable young man.
I think we can arrange to have you fill the position.
It'll also afford you Apple time for your studies.
Gosh, Mr. Dexter, I don't know how to thank you.
You really have Jane to thank.
Well don't forget to come to see me the first thing in the morning.
Goodnight.
Say he is okay.
Okay.
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WHRO Time Machine Video is a local public television program presented by WHRO Public Media