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Screen Gems Collection

Outtakes from Decision: The Conflicts of Harry S. Truman

Compiled by Brent Pennel, Pauline Testerman, and Amy L. Williams (2003); Pauline Testerman (2007, 2009).


The Screen Gems Collection consists of outtakes created during the production of the film series, Decision: The Conflicts of Harry S. Truman. Included is material created by both Talent Associates, Ltd. and Screen Gems, Inc. Material ranges from informal interviews with Truman, members of his family, and associates, to more formal, scripted readings by Truman. There are a few instances of historical footage from unknown sources that was gathered for use in the production. The subject matter includes Truman's personal life as well as his decisions as president. Sound recordings comprise about 90% of the collection. Formats include 35mm and 16mm black and white film, reel-to-reel tape, and 35mm and 16mm soundtracks.

The outtakes are listed below by accession number, which is the number researchers need when requesting to view or obtain a copy of an outtake. All of the films in the Truman Library's collection are available for viewing at the Library and for copying. The films are not loaned. For additional information about the Screen Gems Collection, please contact the archives staff by telephone at 816-268-8228, by e-mail at truman.reference@nara.gov, or by writing to the Library at 500 West U.S. Highway 24, Independence, Missouri 64050.

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Search Results: 551

Screen Gems Collection

35mm/2 minutes 6 seconds
Description:

Producer Ben Gradus asking Truman to discuss the War Production Board and Truman's chairmanship of the Truman Committee in the Senate during World War II. This segment was probably used for episode 1. Sound and picture.

35mm/3 minutes 30 seconds
Description:

Samuel Rosenman describes British treatment of Nazi Prisoners of War in March 1945, mentioning Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden. Sound and picture.

/11 minutes 11 seconds
Description:

Merle Miler interviews former president Harry S. Truman. They discuss the 1948 campaign, Margaret and Bess's involvement in it, the whistle stop tour, inaccurate press coverage of it, watching the 1948 RNC, and the inaccurate polling. He also reviews the campaigns of Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Grover Cleveland, and Andrew Jackson. Sound and picture. 

35mm/7 minutes 8 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman responds to Merle Miller's questions about William Jennings Bryan. Mr. Truman claims Bryan's speech at a Chautauqua lecture in Independence was one of the greatest lectures he ever heard. Sound and picture.

35mm/10 minutes 21 seconds
Description:

Merle Miller asks Mr. Truman about rough campaigns. Mr. Truman cites a campaign of Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Grover Cleveland and comments there's never been any campaign rougher than the 1948 campaign. Sound only.

35mm/24 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman states that the Arabs are ready to blow the lid off anyway and that the Jews and Arabs were at each others throats. Sound only.

35mm/3 minutes 49 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the Palestine affair, how Eddie Jacobson persuaded him to see Dr. Chaim Weizmann, and his decision to recognize Israel. Sound only.

35mm/59 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman states that he recognized the new state of Israel because he felt we were the conscience of the free world. He was grateful when Israel named a village for him. Sound only.

35mm/51 seconds
Description:

Mr. Truman refers to an incident where British Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin says a pretty raw, ignominious thing "that didn't help my Missouri good nature...." Sound only.

35mm/2 minutes 32 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the Arab/Israeli conflict of 1948. He wanted the United Nations to handle the situation, stating he favored the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 13 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses how he was given details on the development and budget for the Atomic Bomb on his way to Potsdam. Sound only.

35mm/26 seconds
Description:

Mr. Truman states that the United Nations is probably our only source in the world for keeping peace. Sound only.

35mm/12 seconds
Description:

Samuel Rosenman, "I was over in Britain on a number of missions, but this was one in which President Roosevelt was particularly interested." Sound only.

35mm/1 minute
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the cabinet meeting following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 40 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses his first decision as President, to proceed with United Nations charter signing. He speaks of the transition from the Roosevelt administration which had been a change "without a ripple." Sound only.

35mm/4 minutes 26 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman, in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library, speaks about the mural by Thomas Hart Benton, "Independence and the Opening of the West." He describes the symbolism in the mural, and also discusses the five flags on display in the lobby. Film with sound.

35mm/16 minutes 31 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses driving to the library, his morning walks, and his pleasure at becoming a private citizen. Mr. Truman becomes emotional in discussing how he and Bess have been partners all through the past years. Sound only.

35mm/20 minutes 24 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses his efforts to build the library to preserve papers of his Presidential years, how he tells young people about the office of the Presidency. He discusses military leaders and his own military history. He reviews his jobs at Clinton’s drug store, as time keeper for a railroad contractor, and as a bank clerk. Sound only.

35mm/5 minutes 32 seconds
Description:

Musical performance by the Independence High School Band. Sound only.

35mm/10 minutes 38 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman greets Italian dignitaries visiting the Truman Library, saying Italians and many other nationalities have made this country great. A spokesman for the Italians expresses his country’s admiration for President Truman and his policies. Sound only.

35mm/23 minutes 28 seconds
Description:

Mary Jane Truman, sister of Harry S. Truman, responds to questions from Merle Miller. She discusses visits to the Grandview farm, how she and her brothers visited their grandmother often. She describes her Grandmother Young’s farm being raided by union troops, the damage they did, the effect of General Order #11. Mary Jane discusses running the farm while Harry was in World War I. She traces Mr. Truman’s entry into politics and the farm land being rented. Both brothers, she said, were as good as a sister could want. Sound only.

35mm/11 minutes 6 seconds
Description:

Mary Jane Truman discusses how she learned of President Roosevelt’s death and Harry Truman’s becoming President. She states that the family shed tears, mindful of the awesome responsibility and Mr. Truman’s brief time as Vice-President. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 16 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman reads his narration recalling his happy years in the Senate. He discusses becoming President, bringing the war to a victorious end, and trying to maintain the peace. Sound only.

35mm/3 minutes 53 seconds
Description:

(This tape is almost the same as MP2002-318) Harry S. Truman discusses his years in the Senate and becoming President. He states that one must be ready for whatever happens. He wants people to know the Presidency and to know him. Sound only.

35mm/9 minutes 39 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman, narrator reading scripts about the Marshall plan and the decision to offer the Russians a partnership in the plan. SOUND ONLY.