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/37 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman is seated at a desk, speaking about President Roosevelt’s death. He says “This day… people always asked me how I felt when President Roosevelt died and I became President… I have never been able to answer in a phrase or two… there are some facts that ought to be told that have not been told before…” Film and sound.

35mm/51 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the role of the Vice-President and what is involved when one assumes the role of President. He quotes John Marshall on the relationship between the President and Vice-President. Film and sound.

35mm/55 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks kindly about his family, his 39 first cousins, his daughter and his brother’s children. He states that his family never embarrassed him while he was in office, nor did anyone ask him for favors. Film and sound.

35mm/2 minutes 15 seconds
Description:

Rufus Burrus, a personal friend and attorney of Harry S. Truman, shares some personal insights of the lawyer/client relationship with Mr. Truman. He briefly provides some reflections on Mr. Truman’s sincerity. Film and sound.

35mm/3 minutes 56 seconds
Description:

Ms. Susan Chiles and her brother, Henry Chiles, are interviewed by Merle Miller. They are both longtime friends of Mr. Truman, and they discuss their impressions of Mr. Truman’s character. Mr. Chiles states he believes the press incorrectly labeled Mr. Truman a profane man, and he in fact was a religious man. Film and sound.

35mm/33 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman describes “Potomac Fever.” He mentions some insights from Woodrow Wilson. Film and sound.

35mm/58 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman describes a dinner conversation with the President of a Central American country who asked him “you were President for 7 and ¾ years, and you still have to work for a living?” I told him “I told him that was true.” Film and sound.

35mm/1 minute 4 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses Senator Joseph McCarthy traveling around the country calling people a traitor. Truman mentions Secretary of the Army Robert Stevens, General George C. Marshall, and himself. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute
Description:

Harry S. Truman makes a welcome speech to visitors of the Harry S. Truman Library. He highlights the importance of learning about American government. Film and sound.

35mm/1 minute 6 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman responds to questions regarding the scientists who worked on the hydrogen bomb. Mr. Truman discusses Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, the Fermi Award, and also the decision on the use of the hydrogen bomb. Film and sound.

35mm/51 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman recalls events surrounding the first time his battery came under fire in 1918 in Alsace during World War I. Film and sound.

35mm/1 minute 5 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman stands before a screen, and discusses the refugee situation in Europe at the conclusion of World War II. Film and sound.

35mm/3 minutes 43 seconds
Description:

Judge Albert Ridge, who is a former member of Truman’s WWI battery, speaks about some of his recollections regarding Mr. Truman’s leadership of Battery D. Film and sound.

35mm/1 minute 25 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman reflects on his 10 year Senate service. Film and sound.

35mm/1 minute 25 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman describes presiding over the Senate, and also talks about the gavel. Film and sound.

35mm/1 minute 33 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman recalls the events of election night in 1948, and describes how he spent the night awaiting the results in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Mr. Truman mentions commentator H.V. Kaltenborn’s prediction that the President would lose the election. Film and sound.

/2 minutes 3 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman briefly describes the monetary commitment pledged to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization through 1959. He also states the countries that are NATO signatories, and he mentions the compatibility of NATO with the United Nations. Film and sound.

35mm/1 minute 19 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about the Library being an archive, and that it will in fact be a center for the study of the presidency. He mentions that the Library is acquiring microfilm of the papers of all of the Presidents. His comments are made while standing in the Library lobby. Film and sound.

35mm/4 minutes 7 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman recalls being elected Vice-President and the fact that he didn't want to be Vice-President. He then discusses his concerns for Mrs. Roosevelt and President Roosevelt. Mr. Truman also shares some first experiences as President following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Sound only.

35mm/9 minutes 45 seconds
Description:

A narrator begins detailing the Berlin Blockade and the 1948 presidential campaign. Harry S. Truman discusses the Berlin Blockade and its effects, including the risk of a third world war. Narrator also outlines what living conditions were like for those living under the blockade. Sound only.

35mm/2 minutes 48 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman answers questions from Merle Miller on the subject of weather. Mr. Truman explains he has been interested in weather and weather prediction since his childhood. Sound only.

35mm/2 minutes 36 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses his discovery that the Russians did not keep their agreements. He comments that Stalin “broke 16 agreements that were made at Yalta and 32 that were made at Potsdam. He never kept a single one of them.” Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 29 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the 12,000 lives lost at Okinawa and 4000 lives lost at Iwo Jima. Sound and picture.

35mm/42 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman declares that it was firmness on our part that forced Japan to take the part of a free nation rather than continue on as a totalitarian government. Sound only.

35mm/34 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses his family piano and the piano lessons that he took as boy. Sound only.