Guide to Videotapes Collection in the Harry S. Truman Library

“GIVE’EM HELL HARRY” Circa 1975 Worldwide Production Live stage performance staring James Whitmore as President Harry S. Truman. This video version was sold in the Truman Library gift shop in the past. 2 VHS tapes.

TRUMAN LIBRARY RENOVATION – U.S. SENATOR KIT BOND 8/26/1999 Media Pulse Inc. WDAF-TV Fox 4 news clip of Missouri Senator Kit Bond presenting Federal Funds of $8,000,000 for upcoming renovation. VHS tape

The following is a series of 9 video tapes (3/4”) of a 7-hour seminar held at Princeton University on June 22 & 23, 1982. The panel discussions cover primarily the year 1949 and a portion of 1950. During this time the Truman administration was determining whether or not to go forward with the development of the hydrogen bomb. The Russians tested their atomic bomb in 1949. McGeorge Bundy is the host and narrator for the discussions. There were a total of 7 men involved in the panel discussions during the two day period. These videotapes were received from Mr. Arthur Singer of the Alfred Sloan Foundation, in 1984. Participants are: Professor Cyril Smith (General Advisory Committee during WWII and organized the procurement of the metallic parts for the hydrogen bomb); Professor Stad Ulham (in Los Alamos in 1943 -1949, a thermonuclear physicist); Dr. John Manley (neuron physics professor from Columbia University, in Los Alamos, General Advisory Committee); Dr. Henry Smyth, Princeton (on Manhattan District from 1941 forward, nuclear physicist, Atomic Energy Commission 1949). Discussion of the early work of Edward Teller and Enrico Fermi and their various participations in the development of the atomic bomb.

Professor Stad Uhlam; Bill Golden (Atomic Energy Program, summer of 1941 while serving in the Navy, 1946 began working with Lewis Strauss); Dr. John Manley; Professor Henry Smyth; Gen. Ken Nichols (West Point graduate in Engineering on Manhattan District, left Pentagon in 1947, worked with United Nations as an advisor, April 1948 became Chief of Armed Forces Special Weapons Project). Discussion of the ways in which important departments within the U. S. government reacted to the Soviet test of their atomic bomb in August & September 1949.

Prof. Stad Uhlam, Bill Golden, Dr. John Manley, Prof. Henry Smyth, General Ken Nichols. Introducing Gordon Armin, State Department with Secretary of State Henry Stimson, went to United Nations to try to gain control of nuclear weapons. Served there 2 years and then went back to Washington as Special Assistant for Atomic Energy to Secretary of Defense Robert Lovett and then Secretary of State Dean Acheson. This tape is a discussion of the events of 1949.

Professor Cyril Smith, Professor Henry Smyth and Dr. John Manley. Discussion of the General Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission after the Russian test and other events of 1949-1950.

Dr. John Manley, Dr. Henry Smyth, Bill Golden, Professor Cyril Smith. First portion of tape discusses the reports from the Atomic Energy Commission and the GAC in 1949 pertaining to the military worth of a super bomb. Second portion of tape discusses the appointment by President Truman of Dean Acheson, Louis Johnson, David Lilienthal to study these reports. Second discussion included Dr. Manley, Professor Smyth, Bill Golden, Gen Nichols, and Gordon Armin.

Tape begins in the middle of General Nichols speaking. Same people as in tape VT2006-14, and is probably a continuation of that discussion with some sort of interruption. Discussion of whether or not to continue on with the development of the hydrogen bomb and at what speed. Events of late 1949 thru early 1950.

Professor Smyth, Professor Smith, Stad Uhlum, Bill Golden, General Nichols, Gordon Armin, Dr. Manley. Discussion of the actual beginning of the development and production of the hydrogen bomb.

Professor Smyth, Professor Smith, Stad Uhlam, Bill Golden, General Nichols, Gordon Armin, Dr. Manley. Discussion of negotiations with the Russians on a nuclear weapons treaty.

Final discussions of the events of 1949-1950 and the windup of the seminar. All panelists are present: Professor Smyth, Professor Smith, Stad Uhlam, Bill Golden, General Nichols, Gordon Armin, Dr. Manley.

“THROUGH MY SIGHTS” Glen Kappleman. Photos taken during World War II with a camera hidden in Mr. Kappleman’s gunner’s equipment. Mr. Kappleman spoke at a Patriots of War Program at the Harry S. Truman Library on February 23, 2002. VHS Tape

Margaret Truman at the Truman Presidential Library upon the presentation of the portrait of Harry S Truman by artist Frank Szasz. 5/7/73 We received this from Doug Thurman at the National Archives in May, 2002; it was found there during the renovation. Silent, poor quality copy ¾-inch videotape

Volume 18, Universal Newsreel President Franklin Roosevelt at the planning meeting for the San Francisco Conference for the United Nations - 5 minutes Big Four Conference preliminary to the San Francisco Conference of United Nations - 3 minutes San Francisco Conference Opening. 46 nations, 300 delegates. Excerpts of President Truman’s opening remarks - 5 minutes President Truman arriving for the end of the San Francisco Conference. Good film clips of President Truman in parade through San Francisco, signing of the United Nations Charter by various nations and President Truman’s remarks closing the conference. Return to the Summer White House in Independence. This was received from Doug Thurman at the National Archives in May, 2002; it was found there during the renovation. minutes This footage is in the public domain. Video not good in spots and volume varies. ¾-inch videotape.

1/16/1962 Presentation by Metropolitan Broadcasting Company to President Truman at the Truman Presidential Library of a 16mm film of highlights of his administration. This was received from Doug Thurman at the National Archives in May, 2002; it was found there during the renovation. ¾-inch videotape

Biography of John L. Lewis, last part. Narration by Mike Wallace of the “Biography” television series. Describes the organization of the Miners Union under the National Recovery Act and the history of the AFL union in the 1930’s. It covers the establishment of the CIO, including the strikes against General Motors and Republic Steel. Lewis was succeeded at the CIO in 1940 by Phillip Murray, but continued to lead the Miners Union. End of film wavy. This was received from Doug Thurman at the National Archives in May, 2002. It was found at NARA during the renovation. ¾-inch videotape

THE EAGLE AND THE BEAR Documentary about Washington, D.C. 1947 Congressional hearings investigating infiltration and influence of Communists in America. Various news film clips including Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech at Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri; Truman’s Congressional address proposing the Marshall Plan, and the Congressional hearing with FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover. The formation of the House Committee on UnAmerican Activities. Later interviews with President Nixon, Lauren Bacall and the discussion of the Chambers/Hess hearings; the 1949 rise of Senator Joseph McCarthy to prominence. In June 1953 the Deportation Act was passed and the Rosenberg’s were executed as spies. In 1954 Joseph McCarthy was denounced by the Senate because of the David Shine scandal. This was received from Doug Thurman at the National Archives in May, 2002. It was found at NARA during the renovation. ¾-inch videotape

OUR WORLD – A Period of Adjustment – Fall, 1947 Various film clips of events. Begins with program in progress – James Fagan, rocket engineer, German scientists, and rockets at White Sands Proving Grounds. 1952 first rocket launch. A Pennsylvania prefab housing development co-op, land owned communally, houses owned individually. Benjamin Spock, pediatrician and author. Interview with book’s artist Dorothea Fox. Postwar fashions, price controls, meat shortage, labor strikes. Film of Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy, and Joseph McCarthy in first bids for Congress. This was received from Doug Thurman at the National Archives in May, 2002. It was found at NARA during the renovation. ¾-inch videotape

OUR WORLD – A Crowded Room – Fall of 1949 Various news film clips of 1949. William Levitt develops Levittown, NY, a mass produced housing development; our military flying missions over Pacific gathering information on Russian nuclear testing; TV sets, the TV commercial, and live TV performances. Interview with Charlton Heston; the riot at Peekskill, NY at Paul Robeson’s concert; fall of China to the Communists. This was received from Doug Thurman at the National Archives in May, 2002. It was found during the renovation work at NARA. ¾” videotape

OUR WORLD – Fear & Frustration – Winter of 1952 News film of war in Korea. Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected President in November, and goes to Korea in December. His son, Major John Eisenhower, is currently serving there. Congressional hearings on Communism; reaction to Communism on the local level; Congressional investigation of American employees at the United Nations; the McCarren-Walter Act on denaturalization passed December 24, 1952. Various entertainers of 1952 are interviewed (including singer Tony Bennett). This was received from Doug Thurman in May, 2002; it was found during renovation work at the National Archives. ¾-inch videotape

Harry S. Truman Appreciation Society Meeting, 8/4/01. Videotaped by Chris Crawford. Ike Skelton Speech and Pearl Harbor Experiences. VHS tape.

200 Universal News – Volume 36 – Reel 105 YESTERDAY’S BIG STORY Election of 1948. Clips from both political conventions, campaigns, election night, and Presidential Electors Dinner with H. V. Kaltenborn impersonation, January 19, 1949. This footage is in the public domain. This was received from Doug Thurman at the National Archives in May, 2002. It was found during renovation work. ¾-inch videotape

VT2006-32 See also VT90-13. BILL MOYER’S JOURNAL WITH CLARK CLIFFORD Interview with Clark Clifford, former Secretary of State, March 3, 1981 PART 1 Subject: President and Power. Clark Clifford was brought to Washington by President Harry S Truman in 1945. Discussion of Mr. Clifford’s roles in various administrations from Truman through Carter – both cabinet positions and advisory capacities. This was received from Doug Thurman at the National Archives in May, 2002; it was found during renovation work. Has network video problems. ¾-inch videotape

BILL MOYER’S JOURNAL WITH CLARK CLIFFORD Interview with Clark Clifford, former Secretary of State, March 6, 1981 PART 2 Continuation of previous discussion. Discusses the administration of President Harry S. Truman extensively and his role in that administration. Also discusses other administrations and his role in them. Approximately half-way through the video the visual portion is lost, but the audio is retained. This was received from Doug Thurman at the National Archives in May, 2002. It was found during renovation work. ¾-inch videotape

WITHIN THESE WALLS: A VISIT TO THE WHITE HOUSE Ca. 1994 A production of QED Communications, produced for the White House Historical Association. Educational-type video about the history of the White House (case includes viewer’s guide). The video begins with First Lady Hillary Clinton welcoming viewers and showing the Truman Balcony. The video includes footage and photos of the renovation of the White House, possibly from our AV collection. It concludes with comments by President Bill Clinton. VHS videotape.