Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin Encyclopaedia Britannica Films Inc & Emerson Film Corporation Dramatisation of Ben Franklin’s early life. Ext. The New England Courant, James Franklin, Printer Publisher. Int. Ben as apprentice sweeping in older brother James’ newspaper printing shop - plants a letter to newspaper under pseudonym ‘Silence Dogood’. CU pages of newspapers. Men reading articles on street & laughing. Int. of print shop, men in colonial dress come in & arrest James for political article. Benjamin working press. Brothers at home arguing, father breaks up fight. 07:38:33 Ben runs away to Philadelphia, walks w/ pole, bag & bread; watched by young girl. Working in print shop of Samuel Keimer; rich Governor Keith in fancy clothes gives him money to start own business. 07:40:00 Tall ship at sea. (GOOD) 07:40:12 Franklin in printing shop w/ handset type box. Sign ‘The Pennsylvania Gazette’ (bought by Franklin). Franklin at home w/ wife who is dusting w/ feather duster; Franklin at desk w/ quill writing & quoting “Poor Richard’s Almanac”. 07:41:25 Franklin at 46, retired civic leader, interest in science shows experiment to sceptical friend who gets electric shock from Franklin’s latest experiment, Leyden Jar. 07:42:28 Recreation of kite scene in thunder storm, lightning. Franklin’s son & Ben flying kite in rain w/ light - conducts electricity to key in CU. 07:43:47 London: skyline inc. St. Paul’s Cathedral. Franklin’s return 1757; at desk w/ quill & standing talking to two men as spokesman for American colonies, objects to stamp act: “they will never submit to this tax, they will never pay it”. Discusses England military forcing enforcement & threatens rebellion. 07:45:40 Philadelphia church, streets. Cannons fired & barrels cleaned. Riders thru woods. Frankllin writing w/ quill at desk. Talking to others in wigs. 07:46:19 Tall sailing ship (GOOD). Franklin announced in France as Commissioner; talks w/ King “We in France, we sympathise with you in your war against England - please assure Congress of my friendship”.Franklin talks w/ French nobility (SOF), introduces Thomas Jefferson to suceed himself. 07:48:30 Philadelphia Franklin addressing Constitutional Convention. (SOF) 07:50:44 Franklin’s autobiography superimposed over life scenes. Plaque: ‘American Philosophical Society Founded By Benjamin Franklin 1743’. Inventions - Franklin stove & lightning rod. Shots of things done: founded first fire company, hospital & University of Pennsylvania. Franklin’s tomb & statues. The End. American History - 18th Century; Colonialism; Revolution;