Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Library Collections
  3. Screen Gems Collection

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 explains that he wanted to keep the Russians in the war with Japan because it saved lives, our people, and the lives of our enemies. Film with sound.

35mm/37 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman relates that General George C. Marshall argued at the end of World War II, that the invasion of Manchuria by the Russians would tie down the Japanese troops and keep them out of our way as we invaded Japan. Film with sound.

35mm/55 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about selecting General Douglas MacArthur as the Supreme Commander of Japan. Film with sound.

35mm/1 minute 33 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman relates how the Russians boycotted the allied commission when they didn't get what they wanted in the war with Japan. Truman says he was determined for the Russians not to be involved in governing Japan after they had been so much trouble in Germany. Film with sound.

35mm/57 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman talks about Greece being at war with itself and Stalin’s hopes for U.S. ships to enter Greek waters. Mr. Truman points to a statuette of Socrates. Film with sound.

35mm/25 seconds
Description:

Montage of historical footage of a man sorting through his letters, imagery of workers, and men at meetings. All people are unidentified. Film with sound.

35mm/18 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman says, “we can’t secede from the world…we have to live through it…we must be strong enough to live through it.” Film and sound.

35mm/3 minutes 34 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman talks about meeting Josef Stalin and Winston Churchill at the Potsdam Conference. Mr. Truman states that Josef Stalin broke each of the 48 agreements of Yalta and Potsdam and this is one of the things that caused the Cold War. Film and sound.

/4 minutes 49 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about learning of the success of the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima while returning from the Potsdam Conference on board the U.S.S. Augusta. Film and sound.

35mm/31 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks of the end of World War II and the questions surrounding the conversion back to a peace-time economy. This segment was possibly used for episode 9. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the charges of the House Un-American Activities committee. It was a smear campaign in an election year. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 20 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks of the code message “baby successfully born” that he received on the U.S.S. Augusta, which meant that the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima had been successful. Film and sound.

35mm/1 minute 24 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about the “Buck Stops Here” sign on the President’s desk. Film and sound.

35mm/1 minute 20 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman recalls when Josef Stalin offered a toast during the Potsdam Conference to the firing squad that would execute 50,000 war criminals. Mr. Truman states that Winston Churchill said the British would not be a party to mass murder and left the hall. Film with sound.

35mm/30 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman states, “As victory became more certain, our own men saw what had happened and we wanted to see justice meted out.” Film and sound.

35mm/1 minute 11 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses offers to make money after he left the presidency. Film and sound.

35mm/4 minutes 18 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman talks about an incident when he confronted the Ku Klux Klan when he was a judge. Film and sound.

/1 minute
Description:

Harry S. Truman talks about a meeting in 1923 with the Ku Klux Klan when he was a judge in Jackson County. He was told not to appoint any Catholics to office. Mr. Truman states, “I blew up.” Film and sound.

/19 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses his appreciation of his Catholic friends in Battery D. Mr. Truman states, “we don’t need government by sheet.” Film and sound.

35mm/2 minutes 41 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman tells how, as a Senator, he was able to help Admiral Land get reappointed by assuring the other members of the Senate that the Committee to Investigate National Defense had investigated Admiral Land and “he was all right.” Film and sound.

35mm/1 minute 25 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman talks to school children at Harry S. Truman Library. Topics discussed include important past presidents. Question and answer session with the school children. Film and sound.

35mm/57 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman and another man discuss the name of the Secretary of the Army (Robert Stevens). Truman talks about how Senator Joseph McCarthy went around the country calling everybody traitors, including Truman, General George C. Marshall, and even Dwight D. Eisenhower after he was elected President. Sound only.

35mm/2 minutes 46 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses his role as Commander-in-Chief. He talks about General Douglas MacArthur, and mentions that he asked MacArthur to be Commanding General of Japan. Film and sound.

35mm/54 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman is seated at a desk, speaking about General Douglas MacArthur. Truman then states, “I had to decide what to do with a commanding General that was insubordinate.” Film and sound.

35mm/2 minutes 8 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman reviews the military record of General Douglas MacArthur from World War I through World War II. He also discusses the Spanish-American War and the Korean War. Film and sound.