Produced by Encyclopedia Brittanica, this black and white educational film was released in 1940. “A Planter of Colonial Virginia” focuses on life in Virginia when it was a British colony, prior to the American Revolution Footage depicts but does not comment on racial divide between white plantation owners and Black slave laborers, and the film references many dated gender and sometimes racial stereotypes.

Title screen (0:12). Footage of James River and wooded tidewater inlets (0:25). Footage of brick house of James Scott, tobacco planter and member of the Virginia House of Burgesses (0:37). Footage of Black men chopping wood (0:43). James Scott and another white man on horseback riding to inspect workers (0:46). Black African-Americans laborers singing spiritual “I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray” (1:10). James Scott discusses how much new clearing will yield this year (1:30). Mrs. Scott picking flowers in hedge style garden. Black gardener is visible in the corner (1:39). Undertone of dated gender stereotypes as narrator comments on how Mrs. Scott finds satisfaction in flowers and compares to her sons and husband’s interest (1:55). Footage of Thomas Scott riding horse (2:00). Henry a white indentured servant working as a skilled craftsman, a blacksmith. Footage of hammer, forge, anvil, and hand operated bellows (2:12). Thomas and Henry discuss work on coach for upcoming Williamsburg trip (2:30). Betsy Scott, the daughter, in her room packing. Assisted by Black domestic servant named Nelly (2:50). Nelly and Betsy discuss Betsy’s dress, reference that it was picked out in London reference to European trade and imports (3:04). James Scott writing with quill and ink (3:20). James Scott reads a letter from constituent who complains about taxation without representation (3:28). Footage of British flag flying over Williamsburg capital (3:32). Crowd of colonists wave their hats (3:38). Colonists talk, exchanging news and opinions (3:45). Footage of the outside of the governor’s mansion (3:50). Footage of hanging dried ham as narrator discusses preparations for banquets (3:57). Woman stirring large kettle (3:59). Rotisserie chicken cooking (4:05). Shot showing preparation of punch bowl as narrator discusses parties and dances which are part of the time (4:11). Footage of wax candle manufacturing for evening festivities (4:18). Footage of coach leaving plantation. Black coachmen are driving the coach (4:30). Footage of inside of the coach of Mrs. Scott and Betsy (4:40). Footage of James Scott and Thomas Scott following on horseback behind the coach (4:43). Coach pulls up in front of Wayne home. Black attendants dismount to help the woman Scotts out of carriage (4:56). Scotts and Wayne’s are entertained in the garden. Served tea by Black waiter (5:25). Dated gender stereotypes as males discuss politics and women discuss fashion (5:40). Conversation turns to Mrs. Wayne’s son who is ill (5:51). Outside footage of barbershop. Red and white striped pole indicates bloodletting is practiced (5:54). John Wayne is bled for a fever. Footage of bleeding bowl and short blood letting knife (6:24). Discussion of bloodletting as a treatment at the time (6:32). Barber bandages the wound (6:45). Outside footage of capital of Williamsburg (6:57). Colonists discuss conflict with native tribes in the area (7:05). Dated gender stereotypes referenced as cut to woman going shopping (7:14). Footage of the outside and inside of a cobbler shop. Shots of shoes with square buckles, or Cromwell buckles (7:29). Footage of cobbler making a shoe (7:50). Narrator notes the importance of cobblers in colonial society (7:55). Footage of the outside of the college of William Mary (8:04). Tom and his friend Alan walk home, footage of outside of powder magazine, and reference to local militia (8:15). Footage of outside of local jail and criminal placed in the pillory, crime is spreading gossip (8:40). Drunken man placed in stocks (8:45). Betsy playing spinet a small version of harpsichord and popular colonial instrument (9:01). Mrs. Scott at dressing table (9:15). Tom and John examine dueling pistols (9:23). James Scott and Mr. Wayne smoke long pipes and discuss tension with Britain over taxation. Reference western expansion. Foreshadowing for American Revolution (10:10). Ending credits (10:14).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com