The Lexington School for the Deaf (1:22) presents a childhood development film. “That the Deaf May Speak” traces the path of education for deaf students; how different the world is for them and how to prepare them to operate within it. The film is based at the Lexington School for the Deaf; the largest school for the deaf operating out of New York City since 1864. This film was created under a grant from the estate of Lt. Lester N. Hofheimer Jr. It opens with a model named Marsha in a trim blouse at a photo shoot for a magazine (:15). She leaves the studio (:42) for New York’s streets. Along the route she pauses at a baby in a carriage (:47) and at a newspaper stand (:54). As she prepares to cross the street, she is nearly hit by a car blaring it’s horn (1:10). The driver comes out from the driver’s side hollering “What’s a matter with you are you deaf?” Marsha confirms she is (1:09). The film is narrated by Alexander Scourby (1:35); an extremely notable American film, television and voice actor. The film was produced by Nat Campus (1:43). A classroom for young deaf students appears (1:57). A small girl paints a painting (2:09). The film turns to present how sound affects society. Pedestrians jam city streets (2:56) taxi cabs ride by. A 1953 Cadillac ambulance siren screams (3:04). A traffic cop blows a whistle (3:06). Bells are rung signifying the hour of the day (3:20). St Patrick’s midtown cathedral appears (3:26). Actors and actresses put on a play (3:38). A vinyl record spins a familiar tune (3:42). Sun bathers clap along with their favorite tune (3:47). Morse code is beeped out (3:52). An operator works a switch board (3:59). Two young boys discuss baseball plans (4:14). The group pauses to yell at a deaf child to join the game (4:38). The call goes unheard. The boy misses an opportunity to socialize (5:08). A rotary telephone rings (5:59). A mother is distraught over the realization her child is deaf (6:24). The family meets with a Dr. (6:29). The parents flick through information collected by national agencies and local bureaus (7:25). Parents and deaf children attend a class (7:48). A couple opens a letter from a school devoted to the education of deaf students (7:58). A mother practices training techniques at home (8:10). She sorts through a pamphlet (8:35) for the Lexington School (8:46). The film will follow the education of three year old Carol (8:59). She undergoes preliminary testing (9:21). Parents interview with the staff psychologist (9:41). The girl is examined by a doctor (9:54). She enters class on her first day (10:16). Two deaf girls make a connection as one offers the other a toy (11:45). Carol watches as her mother and other adult figures move their lips to formulate words (12:48). A picture board (14:16) is used to help identify images with words. Another student learns to match object with picture (15:03). Color is used to associate breath sounds with the color blue (16:08). A personal hearing aid is attached to the student’s chest (17:13). Another useful tool is the child’s picture book (17:41). A student connects a photograph of her father with the word ‘daddy’ (18:36). Students play in a nursery class (21:27). Two students learn in the tutoring room (22:10). Pat flies through her speech book (22:44). Audiometer tests are conducted (25:30). At five years of age, students attend preschool (25:53). Students learn about writing (26:30). A boy learns to communicate his weekend plans (27:26). The students enter first grade (29:36). They learn to read a simple poem (29:56). The teacher shows students pronouns (30:39). In second grade (31:56) students learn arithmetic (32:00). A girl is corrected on her grammar (33:56). Geography class follows (34:39). Fourth grade (35:45) is pictured. History class is taught in 7th grade (38:23). Eighth grade (39:14) students continue to grow socially (39:40). The film begins to wrap up as Carol is pictured again on her first day (40:59). Her mother arrives to pick her up from school (41:40). This was a Campus film production (41:53).

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