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Motion Picture MP2005-25

Masonic Ground-breaking and Miscellaneous Events from Truman’s Public Life

Administrative Information

Footage
1128 feet
Running Time
31 minutes 20 seconds
Sound
silent
Color
Black & White
Produced by
Sammie Feeback
Restrictions
Unrestricted
Description

Various news segments: Harry S. Truman and his brother, Vivian, participate in ground breaking ceremony for new Masonic Lodge in Belton, Missouri on April 20, 1963; Mr. Truman presents citations to Independence, Missouri police officers; Mr. Truman's 73rd birthday party; Mr. Truman's 74th birthday celebration; Mr. Truman tours AFL-CIO Industries Show at in Kansas City; Mr. Truman and First Aid Group at Harry S. Truman Library; Mr. Truman's 76th birthday celebration; Harry and Bess Truman leave Independence by train for New York in 1957.

Date(s)
1958 - 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
Motion Picture

Shot List

  • Reel 1
     
00:00   The film begins with Harry S. Truman and J. Vivian Truman participating in the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Masonic Lodge in Belton, Missouri on April 20, 1963. The Truman’s arrive in a car. Harry Truman gets pinned with a Masonic emblem. Crowds mill about rows of furniture and appliances in a grassy field with a tent in the background. Two little girls pin flowers to the Trumans’ lapels. The camera moves inside the tent where Harry Truman speaks, and the camera focuses on an artist’s representation of the planned new lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jones of Belton officially present their gift of the ground to the Masons. Harry Truman breaks the ground along with the Joneses.
04:18   An exterior shot of the Harry S. Truman Library leads into footage of Harry S. Truman awarding citations to Independence, Missouri police officers. Police officers in uniforms sit in the auditorium. Mr. Truman hands the citation to the officers as their names are called.
05:05   This segment begins with an exterior shot the Muehlebach Hotel in 1957. Harry S. Truman arrives in a car outside and is greeted. The film moves inside the hotel for a dinner given in honor of Mr. Truman’s 73rd birthday. He cuts the cake. Focus is on the cake, which reads “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” with the number “73” written in frosting on top numerous times. Truman sits at the table and talks to both those seated around him and the camera. Other guests are shown, including Kansas City Mayor H. Roe Bartle. Truman is presented with a plaque and signs autographs. This segment is identical to one found on 2005-23. May 8, 1957.
08:10   Another birthday celebration begins. Cars pull up in a residential neighborhood and Harry S. Truman exits. A small, informal party is given to celebrate Mr. Truman’s 74th birthday in 1958 at the Harry S. Truman Library. A cake is rolled out. Two small boys dressed as cowboys present Truman with a U.S. flag. Other gifts are presented. Truman cuts cake for the two boys and chats with them. Mr. Truman and the guests take group photos. This segment is identical to one found on 2005-23. May 8, 1958.
09:27   Focus is now on a much grander cake. This cake is for an elaborate 74th birthday celebration at the Muehlebach Hotel. The camera pans around the banquet to show guests. Focus is on a fountain and then the cake again. Guests are given an opportunity to make remarks with a microphone. Harry S. Truman receives gifts including a helmet, a hat, gloves, a pipe, a book, and a painting, among others. Truman makes remarks standing next to the painting of a Margaret Truman Daniel and her baby son, Clifton Truman Daniel. This segment is identical to one found on 2005-23. May 9, 1958.
13:22   Harry S. Truman tours the AFL-CIO Union Industries Show at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri on May 16, 1957. He is escorted by Tom Evans, “Chick” Humphrey, and Randall Jessee among others. Truman holds a large pile of shoes produced by union workers. Truman greets and shakes hands with members of various groups while visiting display booths. Truman looks at a small, decorative cake that says, “Hello Harry” in frosting and then looks at scale models of land forms and construction. Truman leaves the show in a car with others. Additional footage of this event is found on 2005-19.
17:40   Focus on a sign about Independence, Missouri outside of the Truman Library. The camera moves inside for a meeting with Harry S. Truman and a First Aid group. Truman shakes hands with others and receives gifts. First Aid display materials read, “Emergencies Don’t Wait.”
18:36   A numbered leader introduced the next segment which features nonlinear, broken footage cutting quickly between two events: a tour of Truman Library with a small birthday celebration for Harry S. Truman and a larger 76th birthday celebration at the Muehlebach Hotel. This segment has brief snippets of film interspersed with long blank spaces. At the Truman Library, Harry Truman sits at a gathering, gives remarks, cuts a 76th birthday cake, signs autographs, and poses with a baby, children and other guests including Thomas Hart Benton. He also leads the guest in a tour of the Library. May 7, 1960. At the Muehlebach Hotel, waiters in 1700s-like garb serve banquet guests while Truman cuts the cake and receives gifts.
28:46   The next segment takes place at the Independence, Missouri Train Depot. Harry S. Truman and Bess Truman leave for New York in 1957. Shots show the Truman’s walking to the depot and a large group of children waving their farewells as the train pulls away. This segment is similar but not identical to footage on 2005-23.
31:05   Shots of the cameraman’s feet walking up concrete steps.