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

Motion Picture MP2002-450

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

Administrative Information

Footage
450 feet
Running Time
5 minutes 38 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 his relationship with General Douglas MacArthur, stating that MacArthur was a great military strategist, a military genius. Mr. Truman states that the military can advise, but if they begin talking to the public with an eye to running for president, it is time for the President to relieve them. 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

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Reel 1

0:08   Unidentified voice says "Production 65013, scene 1318, take 1."
    Harry S. Truman is being interviewed by (apparently) Merle Miller.
0:33   Harry S. Truman states that General MacArthur has a large following because he won victories. He took the Japanese surrender "at my direction." Mr. Truman explains that General Bradley didn't receive as much acclaim because his commander-in-chief in Europe was General Eisenhower, so "General Eisenhower got the credit for the fact that General Bradley was a great general."
1:24   Mr. Truman states that MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz were very friendly. Mr. Truman describes Admiral Nimitz as "one of the finest men I ever knew." Interviewer asks why MacArthur, rather than Nimitz, gets all the fame and glory. "Because he's the Commander-in-Chief. That's always the case," answers Mr. Truman.
2:08   Interviewer asks if the popularity of a military figure is a problem. Mr. Truman says it is a problem and always has been, citing Andrew Jackson's victory at New Orleans, the only victory we won in the 1812 war when Madison was president.
2:52   Interviewer inquires about the relationship between a popular military figure and a political president. Mr. Truman states that the general has to understand that the president is Commander-in-Chief. "Sometimes he has to be relieved of his command to make him understand that." Mr. Truman states that President Lincoln had to relieve General McClellan twice to make him realize "he wasn’t the biggest man in the country."
3:44   Harry S. Truman states that General MacArthur was a great military strategist, a military genius. Mr. Truman states he didn't want to relieve MacArthur, but felt he had to, because he couldn't let him be president without being elected.
5:12   Harry S. Truman states his belief that it was MacArthur's ego causing the problem. He expresses his belief that the military can offer advice, "but if they begin talking in public with an eye to running for president, it is time for the president to relieve them."