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

1978. Jini’s parents on a trip to Savannah, GA. (0:08) Panning shot of the two story hotel. They are next to a Ramada Inn. (0:21) Dashcam footage. There’s a billboard for the Gay Dolphin which is a landmark gift shop on Myrtle Beach (http://www.gaydolphin.com/). (0:28) There’s a sign for a Bonanza Sirloin Pit, a chain that was founded in 1965. (0:35) Shot of Virginia exiting the family car. “I can’t believe my father has the same car,” writes Jini. (1:02) Virginia walks towards the beach where there is a large pier stretching into the ocean. (1:17) Panning shot of the beach and ocean. (1:41) Virginia examining shells on the shore. (1:48) More dashcam footage. There’s a large power plant in the distance. (2:02) Dashcam footage in the city. They are stopped by a train in front of Landy’s Cleaners (couldn’t find more details on this establishment). (2:16) Back on the road. The car goes over a large bridge. (2:46) Virginia in front of some restaurant; difficult to make out the name. (2:51) Shot from inside some large building with numerous arches.

(2:59) A quaint park in Savannah. The camera zooms in on a building. (3:08) Virginia walks down a Savannah city street. (3:27) Shots of the trees and graves in a cemetery. (3:46) Shot of the sign for Chippewa Square (http://www.visit-historic-savannah.com/chippewasquare.html). (3:56) Shot of the marquee of the Savannah Theatre: “The Oldest Operating Theatre in the U.S.” (http://www.savannahtheatre.com/). It appears to be showing “Fiona on Fire” (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077550/). Rated X! (4:04) A shot of the square and its large statue. (4:14) Shot of a building. Camera zooms in on an information sign but it is difficult to read. (4:23) A city street and some historical buildings. (5:00) More views of the square. (5:09) Some historic buildings. (5:25) Camera pans up a column with a figure on top. (5:30) Shot of Arthur sitting on a bench. (5:51) Shot of a mansion and street corner. The location would make the mansion the Noble Hardee House (http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/meta/html/dlg/larc/meta_dlg_larc_jlc0752.html?Welcome&Welcome). (6:12) Virginia points at a large gothic cathedral. (6:32) Sign reveals that it is the Wesley Monumental Methodist Church (http://www.visit-historic-savannah.com/wesley-monumental-church.html). (6:36) Another shot of the church. (6:53) Camera zooms on sign for Calhoun Square (http://discoverhistoricamericatours.com/savannah/savannahs-squares/calhoun-square/). (7:04) The entrance to a building. (7:08) Shot of buildings. (7:13) A large stone staircase. (7:17) We see a historic sailing ship the Barba Negra (http://savannahnow.com/stories/033000/LOCnegrabox.shtml#.WY8uY3eGOgQ) docked. (7:41) Close up of Virginia sitting on a bench. (7:45) Savannah at night. It’s dark and difficult to make out details.

(8:04) Now we are in Christmas 1978. Big “Merry Christmas” title card. Camera zooms in on it. (8:16) Now there’s a “1978” title card. (8:29) The year (written on plastic) is placed over a log cabin scene. (8:36) Shots of the indoor lighting decorations and tree. (8:52) Virginia sits in the chair. (8:55) The tree is especially large this year. (9:20) We see Jini opening a gift on the floor. She’s back living at home commuting to Stockton State and working at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City. It’s a Yorx stereo! (10:02) Virginia sits on the couch while Jini shows off her nails. (10:13) Like his predecessor, Shadow rips open his squeaky toy. (10:51) We see Wendy (smoking!) with her husband Danny. (11:11) The rest of Jini’s siblings and cousins are there, all grown up now. Still all opening their gifts. Lois and her family come as well. She gives Virginia a hug. (12:06) One of Jini’s nephews smiles for the camera. (12:12) Another nephew opens his presents. (12:27) One nephew has a clown toy and a bag. (12:55) The family is seated at the dinner table. The footage is dark. The kids are at the separate table. (13:26) More gift opening. One of the younger boys opens a Digital Derby toy (http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Tomy/Derby.htm). (14:11) All the adults seated in the living room. (14:26) Cousin Jimmy with some gifts. (14:38) Cousin Wendy with a small box. (14:51) Lois holds up some jewelry. (15:01) The family passes around some sort of candy or chocolate. (15:20) Someone opens a new plaid shirt. (15:33) Virginia reads a card to one of her grandchildren. (15:58) More gift opening.

(16:03) Snow scenes taken from upstairs back window. Looks like over a foot. (16:44) Arthur films some sort of game or contraption with marbles. Numbers are written on the side of it. (17:44) More snow scenes. The cars are completely covered.