Motion Picture MP2002-240
Administrative Information
Harry S. Truman discusses his long-time interest in military commanders in history. He talks about his military history. He discusses his work at Clinton ’s drugstore while attending high school. Harry S. Truman discusses his friend Charlie Ross who became his press secretary. Sound only.
SD-quality copies of already digitized motion pictures are available for $20, and HD-quality copies of already digitized motion pictures are $50. Copies of motion pictures not already digitized will incur additional costs.
This item does not circulate but reproductions may be purchased.
To request a copy of this item, please contact truman.reference@nara.gov
Please note that this video belongs to a different video collection than the items available to be borrowed by teachers, from our Education Department.
Shot List
Reel 1
| 0:00 | Unidentified voice says: "Scene 1, question 5, roll 2." | |
| Interviewer (seems to be David Susskind) asks Harry S. Truman to discuss his National Guard service and commanding Battery D. | ||
| Mr. Truman tells of his long time interest in military commanders in history, such as Alexander the Great, Caesar, Napoleon, George Washington, and Robert E. Lee. He trained at Camp Doniphan in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He was promoted to Captain and finally became commanding officer of Battery D in the 129th Field Artillery. He was successful as commander of Battery D because "I had a streak of Irish in me" and "they looked on me as their Father Confessor. I took ‘em through the war and brought ‘em home." He mentions he was one of five Protestants in the Catholic outfit. | ||
| 1:55 | Unidentified voice: "Scene 1, question 6, roll 3." | |
| Mr. Susskind asks: "Please tell me about getting a job at the drugstore." | ||
| Mr. Truman discusses his job at Clinton’s Drugstore in Independence while he was attending high school. He discusses his duties and how whiskey was sold for 10 cents a drink. He decided not to be a druggist when he learned he’d have to work from 7:00 in the morning to 11:00 at night. He quit before he had to dust all the bottles in the store. | ||
| 3:15 | Mr. Truman discusses his friend, Charlie Ross, the most brilliant student in the high school class, who became President Truman’s press secretary. Their high school teacher, Mrs. Palmer, kissed Charlie Ross as head of his class. Later, Mr. Truman asked her for a kiss and received it after he became President. | |
| Mr. Susskind asks about the whiskey being sold in the drugstore again. Mr. Truman elaborates. | ||
| 5:40 | Unidentified voice says: "Scene 1, question 7, roll 3" | |
| Mr. Truman discusses his rise to commander of Battery D. | ||
| 6:29 | Mr. Susskind asks: "Was there a special lure calling you back to the farm?" | |
| Mr. Truman discusses his love for the farm in Grandview, Missouri, which was "in my opinion, the finest farm in the country." The family "always called it home," even when they lived in Independence. | ||