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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.

Keyword Search

Search Results: 551

Screen Gems Collection

35mm/26 minutes 26 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman responds to questions posed by Merle Miller, detailing his campaign for reelection in 1948. He discusses campaigns of Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and William Jennings Bryan. He discusses how the press was against him as they were against Grover Cleveland and Andrew Jackson. Sound only.

35mm/12 minutes 40 seconds
Description:

Merle Miller interviews Judge Albert Ridge, friend of Harry S. Truman. Judge Ridge describes Mr. Truman as a man of the 19th and 20th centuries brought up in an atmosphere of high moral values. Judge Ridge declares that Harry Truman was able to lead Battery D because he inspired trust. He says Mr. Truman wanted no self-aggrandizement. Sound only.

35mm/23 minutes 44 seconds
Description:

Merle Miller interviews Judge Albert Ridge, friend of Harry S. Truman. Judge Ridge discusses meeting Mr. Truman at Fort Sill when Captain Truman was in charge of the canteen. He details how Mr. Truman became commander of Battery D in France and how the members of the Battery made the haberdashery their headquarters after the war. Judge Ridge discusses how Mr. Truman encouraged him to study law, recommending certain books to study. Sound only.

35mm/32 minutes 27 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman answers children’s questions at the Harry S. Truman Library regarding his life in the White House. Mr. Truman discusses the most difficult decision he had to make during his presidency. Mr. Truman answers children’s questions regarding his life as a young boy in Independence, Missouri. Sound only.

35mm/14 minutes
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks informally with Merle Miller, Truman Library staff, and technicians regarding a photograph showing him and Vivian as children. Mr. Truman discusses the importance that reading has held in his life. Mr. Truman details his favorite works by William Shakespeare. Sound only.

35mm/16 minutes 52 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks with school children regarding the years he spent in the Senate and the events that led up to his election as President. Mr. Truman discusses the presidents he considers as having done the most for the welfare of the country. Mr. Truman admonishes the students to study about their government because the next generation belongs to them. Sound only.

35mm/33 minutes 41 seconds
Description:

Merle Miller interviews Harry S. Truman about various subjects. Mr. Truman discusses the development of Grandview, Independence and Kansas City, Missouri. He describes a few of the jobs that he had as a boy and as a young man. Mr. Truman declares the repeal of the Missouri Compromise as the chief cause of the Civil War. He discusses the Border Wars between Kansas and Missouri and his disapproval of the Loyalty Oath imposed after the war. Sound only.

35mm/47 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about General Douglas MacArthur: "I think he did a good job… he forgot the President of the United States was the Commander in Chief." Harry S. Truman also mentions Franklin D. Roosevelt, saying he handled MacArthur "…in the way he ought to be." Sound only.

35mm/9 minutes 12 seconds
Description:

Walt Bodine, Kansas City newsman, discusses his acquaintanceship with Harry S. Truman. Mr. Bodine states that Harry S. Truman enjoyed being a private citizen and found his privacy easy to maintain when he returned to Independence, Missouri after his presidency. Walt Bodine asserts that the Kansas City region is the true cross-roads of the nation that does not fit into a regional block. Sound only.

35mm/12 minutes 36 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman gives his definition of a leader. Edgar Hinde speaks of the Battery and its affection for Mr. Truman. Harry S. Truman mentions his friend Eddie Jacobson and Mr. Jacobson’s widow. Mrs. Jacobson discusses the haberdashery business of Harry S. Truman and Eddie Jacobson. Mr. Truman remembers his first political speech in Lee’s Summit and his first defeat in the 1924 run for reelection as eastern judge of Jackson County. Rufus Burrus describes the judge race. Mr. Truman discusses running and winning a senate seat and later becoming president. Sound only.

35mm/10 minutes 37 seconds
Description:

Merle Miller interviews General Ralph Truman, first cousin of Harry S. Truman. General Truman relates how President Truman encouraged him to plan the 1947 reunion of the 35th Infantry Division held in Kansas City. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 30 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman reading from his diary of November 1, 1949, about dining in the Blair House. Mrs. Truman saying, “I was happy to get back and resume the life…” Film with sound.

35mm/1 minute 56 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman at a desk talks about the Berlin Airlift. Film with sound.

/13 seconds
Description:

Former president Harry S. Truman says he wishes he had an organization of nations to meet the challenge, but we were on our own. We had to meet the situation by ourselves. 

35mm/9 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman at a desk speaks about the Berlin Airlift. Film with sound.

35mm/1 minute
Description:

Harry S. Truman at a desk talks about the many challenges he faced in 1948. Film with sound.

35mm/1 minute
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaking, “You can be angry about something but you have to follow Shakespeare’s advice and not be so angry it consumes you.” He narrates a section about Palestine. Film with sound.

35mm/40 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman tells a humorous story from the first political speech he heard in Grandview, Missouri, about a local who goes to New York City. Film with sound.

35mm/12 seconds
Description:

Narrator saying that by late spring, the Russians were convinced that they would have to go to war to get out of Berlin. Truman does not speak. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks from the back porch of his home in Independence, Missouri. He speaks about how good it is to be back home where it is the center of his life and where he wants to stay the rest of his life. Film with sound.

35mm/1 minute
Description:

Mr. Truman speaks about the southern walkout at the 1948 Democratic convention and Henry Wallace taking the New York votes. Film with sound.

35mm/1 minute 6 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaking on how he antagonized a lot of people by recognizing Israel as a state when it was formed. Film with sound.

35mm/1 minute
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about how we got our moral heritage from the Jews and he cannot understand prejudice against them. Mr. Truman describes his business relationship with Eddie Jacobson. Film with sound.

/1 minute
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about the difficulties in the decision to recognize Israel. Film with sound.

35mm/1 minute 20 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman describes the situation in the recognition of Israel like being between two sides like a referee in a wrestling match. Film with sound.