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

35mm/3 minutes 17 seconds

Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses opposition to the war trials of German "brass" by our military leaders. He expresses the need to precede quickly on the war trials, before the lynch law was exercised. He also discusses that procedure being established for the trial of war prisoners. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 16 seconds

Description:

An unidentified narrator reads segments of a script. Harry S. Truman"s voice is not present on this recording; it is all read by a narrator and refers to the atomic bomb .He quotes Secretary of War Henry Stimson and an unidentified scientist about devastation and mega deaths. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 42 seconds

Description:

Harry S. Truman talks about President Ulysses S. Grant's background, civil war service, and considers his presidency one of the worst from an administrative standpoint. Sound only.

35mm/5 minutes 18 seconds

Description:

Mr. Truman discusses his journey to attend the Potsdam Conference and his impressions of Churchill and Stalin. Mr. Truman also comments about the issue of Russian refugees, as well as a state dinner that the three leaders hosted. Sound only.

35mm/3 minutes 28 seconds

Description:

Harry Truman discusses the atomic bomb and when he was informed of the test conducted in New Mexico . He was at the Potsdam Conference and informed Churchill and Stalin. He also states he was the person who had to make the decision to use the bomb. He discusses Okinawa and the casualties suffered by the Japanese. Truman also talks about Secretary of War Stimson being firmly against using the bomb on Tokyo . Sound only.

35mm/5 minutes 11 seconds

Description:

Truman discusses the strikes of 1946 involving the railroads and mines. He talks about his veto of the Taft-Hartley bill, his reelection in 1948, and his claim that when voters are correctly informed, they vote "with good sense and good reason." Also included is an unidentified man"s voice announcing the railroad strike is over. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 43 seconds

Description:

Harry Truman discusses opportunities presented to him after he left office by those who wanted him "to promote the presidency into a job for himself." He also talks about requesting an appointment to see President Eisenhower when he visited Kansas City . He mentions his view that the Republicans were interested in discrediting the Democratic Party. Sound only.

35mm/3 minutes 41 seconds

Description:

Narrator discusses job offers given to Mr. Truman upon his departure from the presidency. He talks about Truman's transition to private life, and the narrator claims that the Republicans feared Mr. Truman's activism. Also discussed are Truman's opinions of the current administration's position in the Korean War truce and the Formosa situation. Sound only.

35mm/2 minutes 52 seconds

Description:

Harry Truman discusses his views on Senator Joseph McCarthy and the Republican Party. Mr. Truman states that after departing the White House, he wanted to talk to young people about "the operation of government and the function and meaning of the Presidency." He also comments on Jack Williams' epitaph, and claims that he too "did his damnedest and that"s all there was to it." Sound only.

35mm/44 seconds

Description:

Mr. Truman talks with Interviewer, possibly Merle Miller, about the circumstances surrounding his decision to drop the atomic bomb. Sound only.

35mm/24 seconds

Description:

Harry Truman says "but, they did that, and it was a terrible situation. I don't know what the difference is between that and suicide...anyway, they kill themselves." Comments probably describing the hari-kari ritual. Sound only.

35mm/2 minutes 45 seconds

Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the Battle of Okinawa in World War II, to include a discussion of Japanese traditions of committing suicide when defeated. Sound and picture.

35mm/3 minutes 4 seconds

Description:

Mr. Truman discusses his concern for the welfare of the refugees. He talks about the Germans being in the position to hate the victorious Allies in 1945. Truman states "I didn't want hate to be the war's gift to the future." Sound only.

35mm/43 seconds

Description:

Harry S. Truman talks about General Douglas MacArthur's speech, in which he tried to set the foreign policy of the United States and was fired for it. Sound only.

35mm/4 minutes 45 seconds

Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses memories of his military time at Camp Doniphan , his position as an adjutant in the 129th Field Artillery of the 35th Division, and his job as canteen officer. He also mentions that he and Eddie Jacobson maintained the most successful canteen in the 35th division. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 33 seconds

Description:

Harry S. Truman states that he and Eddie Jacobson enlisted together. When Mr. Truman became canteen officer at Ft. Sill , Eddie ran it. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 28 seconds

Description:

Mr. Truman describes his work at Clinton Drugstore during high school and his work for a contractor when he was 18 years old. Sound only.

35mm/5 minutes 17 seconds

Description:

Mr. Truman discusses speaking in public and the 1948 whistle stop campaign. He states he wanted to carry out a program that would benefit people of the United States and the peace of the world. Sound only.

35mm/13 minutes 7 seconds

Description:

Harry S. Truman states that his father was interested mainly in livestock operations. Mr. Truman discusses his interest in people who have been world leaders, his belief that the truth of history depends on the records that are left, his belief that farming is not a lonely job, but the Presidency is. Sound only.

35mm/4 minutes 21 seconds

Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses the preparation for the invasion of Japan and the dropping of the atomic bomb. He states he did what he thought was right. Sound only.

35mm/1 minute 13 seconds

Description:

Harry S Truman discusses the decision to aid Greece and Turkey in 1947 against Communist insurgents. Sound only.

35mm/5 minutes 21 seconds

Description:

Harry S. Truman discusses his battle with Congress over price controls. The conservative wing of the party was not in agreement, but he believed the welfare of the party was more important than his popularity. Sound only.

35mm/2 minutes 36 seconds

Description:

Harry S. Truman describes election night in 1948 at the Electoral College dinner (January 19, 1949). He does the famous "Kaltenborn imitation." Sound only.

35mm/7 minutes 34 seconds

Description:

W. Averell Harriman discusses how well informed President Truman was on events since the Yalta conference. Mr. Harriman claims that Stalin fulfilled his military agreements, but was not offering post war cooperation. Sound only.

35mm/45 seconds

Description:

A child asks Mr. Truman about living in the White House. Mr. Truman states that it was very nice, explaining that the third floor living quarters are very private. Sound only.