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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/42 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses how he helped organize the old Battery D in Kansas City in 1905. Sound only.

35mm/4 minutes 28 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses how he and General MacArthur fell out over the Chinese entry into the Korean War. Sound only.

35mm/3 minutes 59 seconds
Description:

Merle Miller interviews Harry S. Truman about the Grandview farm. Sound only.

/3 minutes 10 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman formal narration about two of his unpopular decisions in 1948: Civil Rights and Palestine. Strom Thurman is mentioned. Truman mentions changes (renovations) in the White House including the criticism of Millard Fillmore's wife for putting a bathtub. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 19 seconds
Description:

Merle Miller interviews Harry S. Truman about the election of Woodrow Wilson. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 45 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman talks about the importance of researching and preserving presidential papers. Sound only.

/6 minutes 9 seconds
Description:

Former President Harry S. Truman recalls the problem of refugees discussed at the Potsdam Conference. He also reads from a letter he wrote to his mother and sister about the vote on the UN Charter and his experiences with Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin at the conference. NOTE: Mr. Truman uses a racial slur in this video. The out takes both repeat from different camera angles. Sound and picture.

35mm/1 minute 53 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses how the chiefs of staff had to plan the invasion of Japan without the atomic bomb with the projected loss of 250,000 American men. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 20 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the reason he delayed demobilization of American troops after World War II. Sound only.

35mm/23 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman talks about the telegram that he sent to the Japanese warning them of what would happen if they did not surrender. Mr. Truman relates the Japanese reaction to the telegram. Sound only.

35mm/7 minutes 31 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses problems he had dealing with General Douglas MacArthur. Mr. Truman also discusses Chiang Kai-shek’s “crazy notion” of attacking communist China. Sound only.

35mm/5 minutes 21 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about the Russian blockade of Berlin and the simultaneous Democratic convention during which he knew, “at any moment the Russians could plunge the world into flames.” Sound only.

35mm/2 minutes 28 seconds
Description:

Dean Acheson discusses the United Nations resolution “asking all parties to return within their borders and cease any aggression.” Mr. Acheson tells of the Russians attempts to obstruct the work of the commission. Sound only.

35mm/2 minutes 46 seconds
Description:

Dean Acheson relates that resolutions in the United Nations in 1947 and 1948 proposed that Russian and American forces withdraw from Korea. Mr. Acheson states that President Harry S. Truman approved this course of action. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 5 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman voice excerpts from his radio and television address to America on the situation in Korea on July 19, 1950. Sound only.

35mm/5 minutes 38 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses his relationship with General Douglas MacArthur, stating that MacArthur was a great military strategist, a military genius. Mr. Truman states that the military can advise, but if they begin talking to the public with an eye to running for president, it is time for the President to relieve them. Sound only.

35mm/2 minutes 27 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses his interest in water projects. He lists the Columbia River in the United States, the Mediterranean Sea, the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, and the Zambezi River in Africa as examples of power going to waste. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 43 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses how the Ku Klux Klan was defeated in Eastern Jackson County. “I don’t believe in government behind a sheet.” Sound only.

35mm/22 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the Ku Klux Klan’s activities at a location between Lee’s Summit and Lone Jack stating that “they didn't have their sheets on that day…” Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 46 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the Arab/Israeli conflict stating that the White House was under tremendous pressure from the British, the Zionists, and even from his own cabinet. “Nobody was going to tell us how to act….” Sound only.

35mm/52 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the Arab/Israeli conflict noting that the Arabs could not agree on their stance and neither could the Jews. The British washed their hands of the whole thing. The Jews formed a militia. “…I didn't know where we sat.” Sound only.

35mm/4 minutes 27 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks of military leaders, mentioning General Douglas MacArthur and Abraham Lincoln. Film with sound.

35mm/3 minutes 36 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about General MacArthur after the Inchon invasion, as well as Joseph Stalin, Mao Tse-Tung, Chou En-Lai, and General MacArthur’s father. Film with sound.

35mm/4 minutes 28 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks of his World War I experiences. Film with sound.

35mm/5 minutes 27 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman speaks about his views on lobbyists and inflation. He also discusses a humorous and fictional "Kitchen Cabinet" memo he wrote one day. Film with sound.