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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/2 minutes 30 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman formal narration describing a meeting of advisors on the Korean situation. Truman discusses the Constitution's decree that the military is subordinate to civilian authority. Sound only.

35mm/6 minutes 23 seconds
Description:

Eddie Meisburger, a Battery D friend of Harry S. Truman, answers questions of an unidentified interviewer. Mr. Meisburger discusses how Captain Truman wins the cooperation of the men, always going to bat for his men, continuing to help them in civilian life. Sound only.

35mm/40 seconds
Description:

Former president Harry S. Truman explains why he did not run for president in 1952. Sound only.

35mm/3 minutes 34 seconds
Description:

Mr. Truman discusses a variety of subjects including his love of piano music, meeting pianist Ignace Paderewski, his childhood on the Grandview farm, and the statues of Andrew Jackson. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 57 seconds
Description:

Former president Harry S. Truman speaks of his hopes for the United Nations to prevent war. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 59 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses his youth and family. He also discusses the trails that originated in Independence in the 1840's, 50's, and 60's ( Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails). Sound only.

35mm/5 minutes 57 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses various topics beginning with his love of walking (the best exercise), his high school, his meeting Bess Wallace in Sunday school and his happiness with her. He describes his early jobs at the Clinton Drugstore, as a timekeeper for the Santa Fe Railroad, and as a bank clerk. He discusses the National Guard and becoming Captain of Battery D. Sound only.

35mm/2 minutes 40 seconds
Description:

Former president Harry S. Truman talks about security measures needed around his home in Independence, MO. Sound only.

35mm/8 minutes 13 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses wanting his library to be in Independence, his pleasure at being a private citizen, and his belief that presidential papers should be as well taken care of as those of Congress and the Supreme Court. He answers children's questions and discusses the best Presidents. Sound only.

35mm/3 minutes 12 seconds
Description:

Merle Miller interviews former president Harry S. Truman, who discusses taking his morning walk and the volume of letters he receives. Sound only.

35mm/6 minutes 15 seconds
Description:

Mr. Truman discusses his early career in Jackson County politics and various friends and neighbors speak about the former President. A member of Battery D discusses the love and respect the men had for Mr. Truman. Sound only.

35mm/11 minutes 7 seconds
Description:

Merle Miller talks to Jane Chiles (childhood friend of Harry S. Truman and Margaret Truman’s teacher) and her sister Susan Chiles. This excerpt is the same as part of a larger interview in MP2002-601, from 11:58 to 23:12. Sound only.

35mm/4 minutes 36 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses political speeches and events associated with the 1948 campaign. Included are remarks comparing his campaign fund size to that of Dewey's. Mr. Truman also discusses how he was informed about the election results, and his reaction to the "Dewey defeats Truman" headline. Sound only.

35mm/6 minutes 43 seconds
Description:

An unidentified childhood friend of Harry S. Truman discusses some childhood memories. He describes some of the recreational activities he and Mr. Truman were involved in as youth, including ball games, playing cowboys, and roping. Mention is also made of their respective families. Sound only.

35mm/7 minutes 22 seconds
Description:

This is an interview of Mary Jane Truman, sister of Harry S. Truman. In this interview by Merle Miller, Mary Jane discusses what life was like as a relative to a United States President. She talks about the security measures provided to her family by the secret service and her reaction to the news of the assassination attempt on her brother. Sound only.

35mm/6 minutes 28 seconds
Description:

This is an interview of Mary Jane Truman, sister of Harry S. Truman. In this interview by Merle Miller, she discusses her family, and the early days of the Truman presidency. She confirms that Harry Truman desired to rebuild their old home place in Grandview and establish his library on that location. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 6 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman formal narration of how he first learned of the attack on South Korea by North Korea on June 24, 1950. Sound only.

35mm/8 minutes 54 seconds
Description:

An interview of Mary Jane Truman, sister of Harry S. Truman, sharing childhood memories on the Grandview Farm. The 600 acre farm had been in their family since 1857, and is described as "a happy childhood home." She tells of running the farm while Harry was in the service. Sound only.

35mm/9 minutes
Description:

An interview of Rufus Burrus, a friend of Harry S. Truman and a lawyer in Independence , Missouri . He describes his first meeting of Mr. Truman in Independence , and his later visits to the White House. He briefly describes being in Washington in 1950 while Truman was preparing a speech about the Korean War. Sound only.

35mm/9 minutes 18 seconds
Description:

General Ralph Truman, cousin of Harry S. Truman, discusses his relationship with Mr. Truman. Included in this interview is a discussion about the 35th Infantry Division display at the library and annual reunions of the Division since 1947. General Truman also comments on the 1948 Life magazine photo with caption "Truman Stumbles." Sound only.

35mm/11 minutes
Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses Potsdam, providing details of Stalin's positions. He discusses several issues, including Secretary Henry Morgenthau's "German Settlement plan, Germany's restoration," and his intention to carry out President Roosevelt's policies. Sound only.

35mm/25 seconds
Description:

Harry S. Truman's statement on "who could trust Stalin?" Truman states that Stalin broke all 48 agreements made at Potsdam and Yalta . Sound only.

35mm/9 minutes 52 seconds
Description:

Merle Miller interviews General Ralph Truman, cousin of Harry S. Truman. General Truman discusses his first meeting with his cousin at Christmas in 1891, when he and his father visited the Grandview , Missouri farm. General Truman also discusses serving in the Spanish-American War in Cuba, and a train trip to Texas he took with his cousin in 1901 to visit relatives. Sound only.

35mm/7 minutes 8 seconds
Description:

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Truman are interviewed by Merle Miller. Ralph Truman, cousin of Mr. Truman, remembers the 1944 campaign as "quite a battle." Mrs. Ralph Truman discusses the 1944 campaign and describes the 1945 inauguration as "being cut short, not too much display, because of the war." Sound only.

35mm/10 minutes 5 seconds
Description:

General Ralph Truman, cousin of Harry S. Truman, talks about being recalled to service in 1917. He discusses his assignment in France as a Regimental Intelligence Officer. He discusses the fact that Harry S. Truman was assigned to an advance detail of Field Artillery in France in 1918, although he seldom saw Captain Truman until the war was over. Sound only.