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  4. Truman Family Travels – Key West 1950

Motion Picture MP2006-25

Truman Family Travels – Key West 1950

Administrative Information

Original Format(s)
Video Tape
Footage
1041 feet
Running Time
28 minutes 55 seconds
Tape Format
VHS
Sound
silent
Color
Color
Produced by
U. S. Navy
Restrictions
Unrestricted
Description

Footage from William M. Rigdon collection at Georgia Southern University, who retained the original films; William M. Rigdon was President Truman's Naval Aide. This film deals with President Truman's vacations in Key West, Florida and includes his meeting with a delegation of Masons in November, 1949.

Date(s)
November 1949 - April 1950

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
Motion Picture

Shot List

  • Reel 1
     
00:00   The film begins with scenes from the Submarine Base Beach. Harry S. Truman and others wear swimwear and enjoy the beach. Ships pass in the background, and a plane flies overhead. These scenes are followed by close-ups on flowers.
01:06   The scene changes to an airport. A plane arrives, and men disembark. They are greeted by Navy personnel.
01:27   The film returns to the beach. A Navy boat passes by. Men apply sun block, play volleyball, sunbathe, etc.
02:43   Truman wears a suit and sits with three men in military uniforms for a photo outside of his Key West residence.
03:03   The film returns to the beach. Scenes include playing baseball/catch and swimming.
06:28   Scenes from a lawn party outside the Trumans’ residence begin. People are served from a buffet line. The guests eat and talk in chairs on the grass.
07:19   A boat, possibly a fishing boat, leaves a docking area.
07:34   The film returns to the beach.
07:57   The film moves to an airport. Children walk around on the tarmac around planes. A little girl and a little boy board a plane and wave good-bye from the open door
09:24   Harry Truman and another man sit together on the lawn of Mr. Truman’s residence.
09:54   The film returns to the beach. The position of the camera allows for a long view of the beach, changing quarters and a volleyball game.
15:50   Harry Truman, Bess Truman, and Margaret Truman sit outside on lawn chairs together.
16:30   The film returns to the beach.
16:47   Footage begins of the point-of-view from inside a car in a motorcade.
17:02   Harry Truman attends a more formal gathering than seen previously in the film. He wears a suit and interacts with men, some of whom are wearing Mason regalia. (A delegation of Masons visited President Truman at Key West in November, 1949).
17:31   The film returns to the beach.
18:06   A group of people walks down the street.
18:14   A group of men and women relax on a boat returned from a fishing trip. People show off the amount of fish they have caught.
18:44   Footage of Harry Truman arriving at an airport.
19:16   The film returns to the beach. The beach footage is interspersed with more POV shots from a motorcade and shots of a helicopter.
21:48   Somewhat murky footage from another gathering on the lawn. Members of the press circulate, taking photographs.
22:19   The film returns to the beach. A swimmer sits in the covered building on the floor. Others gather around him to inspect an injury on his leg. There are other scenes of people enjoying the beach along with close-ups on flowers.
24:07   More airport footage shows a group arriving and greeted by Navy personnel. Shots from inside a car show the group driving past Navy personnel lined up along the side of the road. Townspeople also gather along the streets and wave flags.
25:30   Another lawn gathering, this one with fewer guests than other parties. Margaret Truman interacts with guests and goes through the buffet line. The footage includes the taking of a large group photo featuring the First Family in the center.
27:50   The film returns to the beach.