Motion Picture MP2002-359
Screen Gems Collection (outtakes from the television series "Decision: The Conflicts of Harry S. Truman")
Administrative Information
Footage
180 feet
Running Time
5 minutes 13 seconds
Film Gauge
35mm
Sound
sound
Color
Black & White
Produced by
Screen Gems in association with Ben Gradus
Restrictions
Unrestricted
Description
Harry S. Truman discusses and justifies use of the atomic bomb. He states “It stopped the war.” Sound and picture.
Date(s)
ca.
1961 - 1963
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.
Moving Image Type
Screen Gems
Shot List
Reel 1
| 0:00 | Unidentified voice: "Scene 2136A." | |
| 0:16 | Harry S. Truman discusses "bitter conflicts" since 1945 that have not turned into major wars because of the "quieting effect" of the atom bomb. All participants are afraid of total destruction if atom power is used. Mr. Truman refers to a young woman's question about birth control. He had told her she wouldn't have to worry about birth control if there were an atomic war since nobody would be left. | |
| 1:41 | Unidentified voice: "Scene 2138A." | |
| Harry S. Truman states that he has traveled around the country giving a series of lectures on the presidency at various universities. He tells of the young lady in Wisconsin asking about birth control and a young man asking about atomic war. He repeats his comment that in case of atomic war, the young lady wouldn't have to worry about birth control. | ||
| Laughter of crew is heard. | ||
| 2:57 | "Fear is a thing which is extraordinarily vivid while we are in its grip, but once it is over it leaves little trace of itself in our consciousness; it may have reason, like shame, to for not wishing to remember." | |
| Mr. Truman justifies use of the atomic bomb: "It stopped the war." He states that he "doesn't care what the cry babies say now because they didn't have to make the decision." Henry L. Stimson advised the use of the bomb. | ||
| 3:46 | Mr. Truman claims that now some pacificists actually rejoice the atomic bomb was invented as it made war impossible. He told of a dangerous underpass in Jackson County when he was presiding judge. He told the engineers to leave it alone —"it's so damn dangerous, it's safe." | |
| 5:00 | Unidentified voice says "Scene 2135A." | |
| "Reports of the Japanese surrender also came through Per Jacobson, a Swiss, to Allan Dulles of the Office of Strategic Services in Europe, but the Japanese government turned it down." | ||
| Harry S. Truman states "I don't care what they say about me." He quotes an old saying: "Nobody throws a stick at an empty fruit tree." |