Credits

Filmmaker:
Arthur enjoyed “playing around with film and photography,” often shooting trick shots and animating objects and titles for his film. He built a darkroom in the cellar and would often experiment with double exposures and overlays. He also inadvertently became a historical filmmaker as he documented his time working in Atlantic City during the 30’s – 70’s and the many trips the family would take to New York City, Philadelphia, and other areas along the eastern seaboard. He built a frame to hold his Super 8 camera and would shoot miles of the highway as he drove.

Shotlist

“Not sure of the year but it was the early 70s,” writes Jini. The clip covers another road trip with Arthur and his wife Virginia. (0:08) We open on an overexposed shot of a 70s style car that pans across the parking lot (and includes other cars of the era). One of the cars (presumably the Virtue’s) has its doors and trunk open. The shot then pans to the open door of a motel. We see a sign from behind but it is difficult to make out what it says. (0:29) Shot of the clear blue sky and hilly road from dashboard cam as trees pass by. They are most likely in North Carolina. (1:29) Shot of houses and hills passing by in the distance. The footage here is a bit dark at times.

(2:15) A billboard for the Biltmore House & Garden (http://www.biltmore.com/visit/biltmore-house-gardens). A train passes by behind it. (2:25) The car approaches the massive Biltmore estate. (2:33) Camera zooms in and out from afar on Virginia who is dwarfed by the building. The camera shows off the rest of the building and its Gothic architecture (which includes gargoyles and stone lions). (3:14) Virginia holds a map and walks the grounds. We see some of the famous gardens and stunning mountaintop views. (4:16) Virginia looks into some sort of giant well or vase.

(4:20) Back on the mountain road, rocky terrain on either side. The car enters a tunnel. (5:40) The car is parked at some sort of rest stop or viewing location. Virginia stands by a railing overlooking an enormous cliff. The camera zooms in on trees on the side of the mountain. (6:28) Double exposed footage of the road. (7:00) Still double exposed with road footage, we see Virginia leaving the hotel room to go check the pool, as usual. Then she walks right into the camera. (7:46) We see Arthur walking around, still double exposed with footage of North Carolina countryside. He “walks into the camera being silly. He was usually very reserved,” writes Jini. (8:32) Virginia waves at the camera. (8:37) More shots of the landscape and Virginia walking around the wilderness, slightly obscured by a map.

(9:13) We are back in the car overlooking more mountains. (9:30) More mountain views. (10:21) We see a sign for the Craggy Gardens Trail which were part of the Blue Ridge Mountains (https://ashevilletrails.com/blue-ridge-parkway/craggy-gardens-trail/). Virginia hikes up the trail. (10:34) Back in the car. (10:42) We see a sign for Green Knob Trail (https://www.hikewnc.info/besthikes/middle-prong-wilderness/green-knob). (11:32) Back on the road. (12:39) The camera zooms in on some smoke or mist in the distance.

(12:48) Virginia begins walking over a long bridge high in the mountains. We get some views from this bridge of mountains and a large lake. (13:32) Back on the road, another car passes closely by. There are glasses on the dashboard. (14:09) The cars goes down an especially steep road. (14:22) A large lake surrounded by mountains. Camera zooms in on the couple’s parked car. Virginia pokes her head out of the window. (15:01) Back on the road. There are farmhouses in the distance. There’s a gas station on the side of the road (can’t quite make out the name). (15:40) Car begins driving through what appears to be a small town.

Now we are in and around Harper’s Ferry. (16:20) A sign for a “Stage Coach Inn,” built in 1826 and restored in 1964. (16:29) Sign for the Master Armorer’s House. (16:40) Virginia walks up the street. (16:48) Sign for the Federal Arsenal (http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?MarkerId=I-2), the camera shows off the surroundings. (17:31) Sign for the John Brown Fort (https://www.nps.gov/hafe/learn/historyculture/john-brown-fort.htm) and then the fort itself and a high church steeple. (18:35) Sign and remnants of the St. John’s Episcopal Church (http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/west-virginia/st-johns-wv/). (18:45) Virginia walks up a path and towards the camera. (19:02) Sign for Jefferson Rock (https://www.nps.gov/hafe/learn/historyculture/jefferson-rock.htm) and some views. The footage is a bit dark here. (20:03) Sign for Harper Cemetery (http://www.historicharpersferry.com/index_eecms.php/export/sites/harper-cemetery) and gravestones on the hillside. Virginia explores and navigates the rocky terrain.

(20:50) Back on the road. (21:15) Sign can be seen for Brunswick and Burrittsville exit. (22:09) A cat walks around the leaves. Virginia walks through the forest holding a stick. (22:48) A city can be seen in the far distance from the mountaintop. There’s a plaque inscribed with the word “Washington” but the rest is too difficult to make out.

(23:30) Some fire in the forest but it is too dark to see many details. Smoke rises through the trees. Camera zooms in on the fire.