Motion Picture MP2006-24
Administrative Information
Footage from the William M. Rigdon collection at Georgia Southern University., who retained the original films; William M. Rigdon was President Truman's Naval Aide. This film shows footage from President Harry S. Truman's vacation trips to Key West, Florida. Bess and Margaret Truman are included.
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.
Shot List
- Reel 1
November and December 1948; November, 1949
| 00:00 | Somewhat disjointed footage begins with scenes from a ceremony on the lawn of the Little White House in Key West, Florida. Harry S. Truman attends a large gathering of men, some of whom wear Mason regalia. A large plaque is presented. (November, 1949). | |
| 01:35 | A man and a woman play badminton outside. | |
| 02:07 | Scenes of Truman’s guests at the beach. People swim, sunbathe, paddle rowboats, hunt for sea shells, etc. | |
| 04:56 | Harry Truman, Bess Truman and Margaret Truman sit in chairs on the lawn and converse. | |
| 05:47 | Harry Truman and Margaret Truman lead a group of people walking towards a plane. The plane takes off. | |
| 06:20 | Scenes from a lawn party at the Truman’s house in Key West. | |
| 06:40 | The film returns to the beach. People lounge and play volleyball and horseshoes. | |
| 08:45 | A man sits in a lawn chair reading papers. He wears a funny hat. | |
| 09:06 | Harry Truman and a group of men in casual wear pose for a group photo. | |
| 09:33 | Scenes from a lawn party, followed by close-ups on flowering bushes. | |
| 10:31 | People gather at the airport to see Harry Truman and his group as they board a plane to leave. | |
| 11:13 | The film remains at the airport, but now a plane is arriving with Harry Truman and guests. A banner on a tower reads, “Congratulations, Mr. President.” | |
| 11:49 | At the Truman’s house, Harry Truman and other men take photos. Truman holds items which are probably gifts. Some of the men wear American Legion hats. | |
| 12:40 | Scenes from what appears to be a loosely organized parade or a street festival. Large groups of people walk down the street along with marching bands. | |
| 14:19 | Harry Truman and a large group of men gather and take photos. | |
| 15:00 | A blimp flies over the beach. This is followed by more scenes of Truman’s guests frolicking at the beach. | |
| 15:40 | Harry Truman, Bess Truman and Margaret Truman sit in chairs on the lawn of their residence. Guests eventually join them. | |
| 16:02 | Random scenes from around the base and the Truman’s house. | |
| 17:05 | The Truman’s host another lawn party. | |
| 18:30 | Harry Truman and others walking. | |
| 18:50 | Beach scenes continue. | |
| 19:33 | Harry Truman sits in a lawn chair and enjoys the late afternoon. This footage appears to be at sunset. | |
| 19:55 | The camera lingers on men talking on the lawn and then moves on to close-ups of various flowers. | |
| 20:37 | A different group of men talk, followed by close-ups on plants. | |
| 21:10 | Harry Truman inspects a military group. | |
| 22:02 | More scenes at the beach. | |
| 22:43 | Shots of a plane at the airport. |