Motion Picture MP2002-312A
Screen Gems Collection (outtakes from the television series "Decision: The Conflicts of Harry S. Truman")
Administrative Information
Footage
560 feet
Running Time
16 minutes 31 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 driving to the library, his morning walks, and his pleasure at becoming a private citizen. Mr. Truman becomes emotional in discussing how he and Bess have been partners all through the past years. Sound only.
Date(s)
ca.
1961 - 1963
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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 says "Scene 1, question 12, roll 5." This recording consists of Harry S. Truman responding to questions by interviewer, possibly David Susskind. | |
| 1:16 | Mr. Truman confirms that he began driving to the library because he had so many interruptions when he walked. Missouri has had three notorious characters: Thomas H. Benton, the Senator, Jesse James, and himself. People like to meet a notorious character. When asked if he's a good driver, he says he's driven a million miles or more with little difficulty, and has driven all sorts of cars. He began driving in 1912 and "I'm still here, still driving, so there you are." | |
| 2:53 | Interviewer asks about the morning walks. Mr. Truman states he walks early in the mornings to have fewer interruptions, walks half an hour at 120 steps a minute. He says reporters get out of breath keeping up. | |
| 3:58 | "Scene 1, question 13, roll 6." | |
| Mr. Truman says it's a "very great relief" to become a private citizen. When a former president comes home, the responsibilities leave him. The difficulty is people treat him as though he were still President. "He isn’t, and never will be again." | ||
| 4:54 | Mr. Truman is asked about the "basic lesson of his whole wonderful life." He responds he has always tried to do what he could for the welfare of the country; only history can tell if he succeeded. | |
| There is undertone of conversation for a moment. "Scene 4, question 1, roll 2." | ||
| 6:43 | Harry Truman states that when he came home in January, 1953, he was "very happy to be there." | |
| 7:25 | Mr. Truman states his pleasure at returning to Independence after 8 years in the White House and 10 years in the Senate. He had lived in Independence since 1890, the best town he'd ever been in. The people in the town are the finest people in the world. | |
| "Scene 1, question 2, roll 2." | ||
| 9:29 | Mr. Truman states no President has used the office for exploitation. ". . . couldn’t have a greater position than being President of the United States." | |
| "Scene 1, question 3, roll 2." | ||
| 11:44 | Mr. Truman discusses love of music, and Sunday school and public school with Bess. He was usually the umpire in childhood baseball games because he didn't want to get his glasses broken. In regard to Bess Truman, he says "she and I went through Sunday School, through grade school, through high school, and through life together . . ." His voice becomes emotional and he can’t finish the sentence. | |
| "Scene 1 question 4A, roll 2.” | ||
| Mr. Truman re-does the sentence about Bess. "She and I have been partners all through the past years; I met her when I was six and she was five. Now I'm 78 and she’s 77. If you can beat that, I'll pay for it." |