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  4. Screen Gems Collection (outtakes from the television series "Decision: The Conflicts of Harry S. Truman")

Motion Picture MP2002-447

Screen Gems Collection (outtakes from the television series "Decision: The Conflicts of Harry S. Truman")

Administrative Information

Footage
180 feet
Running Time
5 minutes 21 seconds
Film Gauge
35mm
Sound
sound
Color
Black & White
Produced by
Screen Gems in association with Ben Gradus
Restrictions
Unrestricted
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.

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

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Reel 1

0:00   This recording consists of various clips of Harry S. Truman talking about the Berlin Blockade. He seems to be reading narration.
    Harry S. Truman speaks about the Russian blockade of Berlin. He speaks of wondering how a city blockaded from the world would survive. "Where does food come from? electric power?...medicine?...milk? I was told that 6,000 newborn babies would die."
0:27   Harry S. Truman: "The Kremlin was telling the people of Europe the United States would back away from any military risks."
0:39   Harry S. Truman states that West Berlin was under siege. He refers to Vicksburg during the Civil War when people were reduced to eating rats and mice and finally surrendered.
1:24   Mr. Truman states that at the time the blockade became total, the Republican convention was nominating Thomas E. Dewey to run against him "but he didn't become President for some reason or another."
1:43   Harry S. Truman says the world was waiting to see what he would do. He states that the Berlin crisis could not be met unless he was re-elected.
2:00   Harry S. Truman: "Our position in blockaded Berlin was precarious. We needed to make a show of strength, but there was always the chance of a Russian reaction that would touch off a catastrophe."
2:30   Mr. Truman discusses calling a cabinet meeting to discuss the Berlin crisis. The Russians "are bringing us to the brink of war."
3:02   Mr. Truman states that in his diary he wrote, "I have a terrible feeling that we are very close to war." He discusses making the decision to stay in Berlin "come hell or high water," even though the generals were very pessimistic. He remembers thinking about "the young men - the youngsters who would be killed, the cities that would be wiped out by the atomic bomb." The decision had to be made and "I made it."
4:09   Harry S. Truman recalls the Democratic convention where 40 pigeons were released, one landing on Sam Rayburn's head. During the campaign he was constantly monitoring the Berlin situation. He knew that "at any moment the Russians could plunge the world into flames."
5:00   Harry S. Truman emphasizes that he had to do the President’s job all the time he was campaigning. He had to campaign to be re-elected so the program could be carried out.