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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/55 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaking about being re-elected in 1948 in spite of the fact that he asked for civil rights bills, recognized Israel, and demanded integration of the armed forces. Film with sound.

35mm/1 minute 15 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaking about our country being a democracy where his voice would come clean and clear and would come through the ballot boxes at the next election. Film with sound.

35mm/1 minute
Description: Margaret Truman Daniel speaks about the events of April 12, 1945 and how she learned of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death. Film with sound.
35mm/2 minutes 27 seconds
Description: Harry S. Truman, seated by Bess Truman, describes living at the White House as living pretty high. He reads from his diary entry of November 1, 1949 about dining alone at Blair House. Film with sound.
35mm/34 seconds
Description:

Narrator describing the desperate circumstances of the German people after World War II. "Allies had achieved victory… over a wasteland." Truman does not speak. Sound only.

35mm/4 minutes 8 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman responds to comments made by Ben Gradus regarding Henry Wallace and roles as Secretary of Agriculture and Vice President. Mr. Truman expounds on Mr. Wallace’s viewpoints. Sound and picture.

35mm/2 minutes 37 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses taking office on April 12, 1945. Truman admits that he was unprepared to take the office of the Presidency. Sound only.

35mm/5 minutes 10 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman comments on his marriage to Bess. He discusses his years in the Senate and describes his premonition that he would someday inherit the presidency from Mr. Roosevelt, who was very ill at that time. Sound only.

35mm/2 minutes 12 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses several topics including his feelings about the threat of war, the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift and the Democratic convention in Philadelphia. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 25 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about the Berlin Airlift. Sound only.

35mm/11 minutes 15 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman reads from Volume I of his Memoirs about the Potsdam Conference. He details four proposals that he made at that conference. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 14 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman parallels the atom bomb with the story of “Pandora’s Box.” Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 7 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the atomic bomb and its role in bringing the war to a close. He reflects on the Japanese Emperor’s message that the Japanese would surrender unconditionally. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 59 seconds
Description:

Ben Gradus interviews Harry S. Truman regarding the use of the atomic bomb and the prevention of future wars. Sound and picture.

35mm/5 minutes 13 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses and justifies use of the atomic bomb. He states “It stopped the war.” Sound and picture.

35mm/22 seconds
Description:

Narrator saying "But for the first time in history, a victor is willing to restore the vanquished as well as to help its allies." Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 8 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman reads a script regarding the recognition of Israel, while he is seated at a desk. Sound only.

/23 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about the recognition of Israel, while seated at a desk.

/59 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the Berlin Airlift. He states there were victims, “31 American boys were killed.” He further describes details of supply shortages in the city. Film and sound.

35mm/1 minute
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the Berlin Airlift and says “The Russians thought we’d back up, but they got fooled.” Film with sound.

35mm/1 minute 3 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman is seated at a desk while discussing his parents. He says “their hearts were right and I never had a better mentor than both of my parents.” Sound only.

/29 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman describes the abuse of a Negro veteran (likely Isaac Woodard) of World War II in South Carolina, who was arrested on false charges of being drunk. Film with sound.

35mm/2 minutes
Description:

Harry S. Truman is seated at a desk while discussing the civil rights issue. He speaks of his past experience in county government, the Senate and White House. Film with sound.

35mm/3 minutes 18 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about some of the past Presidents of the United States, while standing in front of paintings of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. He says presidents shouldn't profit off of being president. Film with sound.

35mm/2 minutes 56 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman is at a podium and he addresses the issue of atomic energy and the scientists who are working on programs in Tennessee and New Mexico. Film with sound.