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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.

Search Results: 551

Screen Gems Collection

MP2002-369
/3 minutes 19 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the Potsdam Conference while seated at a desk. He comments on the health of Josef Stalin, and the events of Premier Stalin’s state dinner. He also mentions the Yalta Conference. Film with sound.

MP2002-37
35mm/24 seconds
Description:

Narrator talking about failed diplomacy with the Russians as the Berlin Airlift went on. Truman does not speak. Sound only.

MP2002-370
35mm/2 minutes 20 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the Potsdam Conference while seated at a desk. He also speaks about dealing with Russian Premier Josef Stalin. Other subjects mentioned include Poland, Russia, NATO, and the Pope. Film with sound.

MP2002-371
35mm/1 minute 13 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman talks about entering the National Guard, and wearing a blue uniform. He describes a visit to his grandmother while wearing his uniform and her reaction. Sound only.

MP2002-372
35mm/1 minute 1 second
Description:

Harry S. Truman is at his Presidential Library, discussing the surrender of Japan following the dropping of the atomic bombs. He also mentions Victory in Europe Day. Sound and picture.

MP2002-373
35mm/3 minutes 19 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman is reading a script while seated at a desk. The topic he discusses is the choice between dropping the atomic bomb and fighting and losing a million men. He states, “We dropped the bomb.” He also discusses the Japanese military, the Emperor, and the Japanese people. Sound and picture.

MP2002-374
35mm/1 minute 19 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks the following: “man’s problem is himself. He could not create the world but he can destroy it. I was very much afraid this atomic bomb we dropped on Japan might set the whole world afire, and then where would we be.” Sound and picture.

MP2002-375
35mm/28 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman is seated at a desk, describing how the Dean of Nagasaki College survived the blast in Hiroshima, but was killed when he traveled to Nagasaki where the bomb was then dropped. Sound and picture.

MP2002-376
35mm/1 minute 18 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman is reading a script while seated at a desk. He provides a visual description of the landscape after the atomic bomb was dropped. He states, ‘they told me it looked like 100 percent Fourth of July in the whole town.” Sound and picture.

MP2002-377
35mm/1 minute 1 second
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the decision to make a direct approach to Stalin, even though he did not trust him. Sound only.

MP2002-378
35mm/1 minute 13 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman is seated at a desk, and explaining the fact that the U.S. no longer had to kowtow to the Russians in negotiations since the U.S. had the atomic bomb. Sound and picture.

MP2002-379
35mm/1 minute 9 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman describes Senator Robert Taft and Senator Arthur Vandenberg as the top Republican leaders. He discusses the reasons why these Senators did not want to make certain appropriations. Sound only.

MP2002-38
35mm/14 seconds
Description:

Narrator saying "One reason for the Berlin crisis might have been that Stalin desperately needed victory somewhere and in divided…" Truman does not speak. Sound only.

MP2002-380
35mm/2 minutes 33 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman describes Senator Robert Taft as a “partisan Republican” and someone “You could do business with.” Mr. Truman recounts an experience with Senator Taft and the press during a meeting on the Marshall Plan. Film with sound.

MP2002-381
35mm/1 minute 1 second
Description:

Harry S. Truman states that a buck private should not be tried for carrying out the order of a higher ranking officer. Film with sound.

MP2002-382
35mm/1 minute 9 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about Justice Robert Jackson, who was the chief judge of the Nuremberg Trials. Mr. Truman states that Justice Jackson was one of the ablest public servants of that time. Film with sound.

MP2002-383
35mm/50 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks of how Justice Robert Jackson agreed to participate in the Nuremberg Trials and give the “Nazi murderers what’s coming to them.” Film with sound.

MP2002-384
35mm/52 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman is shown at a desk, talking about the Nuremberg Trials. He states that no one could now say the crimes never happened; they were on the record. Film with sound.

MP2002-385
35mm/2 minutes 26 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman talks about going through the Great Depression, after World War I. Film with sound.

MP2002-386
35mm/1 minute 4 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman recalls, “General Arnold told me there were 1,200 Japanese planes in reserve for suicide attack.” He continues with how, despite all that was done to protect ourselves, some would get through. Film and sound.

MP2002-387
35mm/17 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman states, “Kamikazes are not just something to talk about. We had 34 ships sunk, including three air carriers and 285 damaged by Kamikaze attacks.” Film with sound.

MP2002-388
35mm/1 minute 37 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman, seated at a desk, discusses his determination not to surrender control of Japan to the Russians. Film with sound.

MP2002-389
35mm/1 minute 7 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses his frustrations with Josef Stalin after Yalta, and his irritation with the Russians, who were trying to influence Eastern Europe, Korea, Manchuria and Outer Mongolia. Mr. Truman states that told Stalin how he felt at this time. Film with sound.

MP2002-39
35mm/1 minute 16 seconds
Description:

Narrator discusses Russians being convinced they would have to go to war to get us out of Berlin. May 12, 1949 blockade lifted. The free world learned it must stand up to tyranny. Truman does not speak. Sound only.

MP2002-390
35mm/58 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about negotiating with Russia at the end of World War II. Mr. Truman likens the negotiations to “eating with an octopus.” Mr. Truman describes how Josef Stalin wanted complete Russian control of the Manchurian port and Manchuria. Film with sound.