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Motion Picture MP2011-8

President Truman's Rail Trip to the Pacific Coast and Return

Administrative Information

Original Format(s)
Motion Picture
Footage
1100 feet
1225 feet
Running Time
30 minutes
30 minutes 15 seconds
Film Gauge
16mm
Sound
silent
Color
Mixed
Produced by
U.S. Navy
Restrictions
Unrestricted
Description

President Truman makes a rail trip to California and returns; footage includes whistlestops from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Albuqerque, New Mexico. This footage includes stops in Emporia, Kansas, Warrensburg, Missouri, and the return to Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri. There is a clip of Dr. Wallace Graham (President Truman's personal physician) talking to a boy at one of the stops. Probably the same as MP77-15. See also MP76-64 and MP2006-34.

Date(s)
June 4, 1948 - June 17, 1948

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

00:10   Title card: “June 4—An early morning stop at Pittsburgh.”
00:15   President Harry S. Truman seen on rear platform with other local dignitaries.
00:52   View of crowds at train station
01:10   Title card: “June 4th, Fort Wayne, Indiana”
01:13   Scenes of crowd, band and President Truman.
02:32   Title card: “June 4th – Gary, Indiana”
02:35   Scenes of crowd waiting to hear Harry S. Truman
02:56   Title card: “June 5th – Omaha, Nebraska – The President leads the parade highlighting the convention of his World War I outfit – the 35th division.
03:04   Parade
03:07   Truman walking along street, crowds, troops in review
05:50   President Truman watches parade from reviewing stand.
08:02   Title card - “June 5th Omaha Nebraska – The President participates in dedication ceremonies at War Memorial Park”
08:11   HST gives speech and lays wreath.
09:05   Title card: “June 5th – The President visits Boys Town, Nebraska”.
09:15   Scenes of countryside, new construction.
10:58   President Truman speaks at Boys Town, Father Flanagan stands next to him.
13:05   Title card: “June 6th, Grand Island, Nebraska”
13:09   President Truman speaks from back of train, crowd is visible.
14:17   Title card: “June 6th, Kearney, Nebraska. Our train pauses here while the President, Mrs.Truman and Miss Truman attend religious services at the First Baptist Church.”
14:28   Crowd waiting at Kearney depot.
15:11   Marker for “Old Oregon Trail”
15:15   Crowd at Kearney depot
15:19   Train pulling away from Kearney. Scenic views from train.
16:09   Crowds at train station, and views of rear platform.
17:08   Train departs.
17:58   Title card: “June 7th - Pocatello, Idaho.”
18:03   View of crowd.
18:22   Brief view of President Truman giving speech, then camera pans to crowd.
18:44   Margaret Truman stands next to President Truman on train platform.
18:50   Mrs. Bess Truman also visible on train platform.
18:58   President Truman remains on platform and shakes hands with members of crowd.
19:09   Truman speaking to visitors on rear platform.
19:16   View of crowds.
19:21   Close-up of President Truman on rear platform.
19:25   Title card: “June 7th, Ketchum, Idaho (railroad terminal for Sun Valley).”
19:30   View of crowd
20:11   Title card: “Harriman Lodge at Sun Valley, where the President, Mrs. Truman and Margaret Truman reside during their visit to Sun Valley.”
20:15   View of house and mountains
20:38   Title card: “The Train Lodge”
20:41   Views of Lodge.
21:11   Title card: “The President visits all the activities at Sun Valley.”
21:16   President Truman fishing.
21:48   President Truman, Charles Ross and Dr. Wallace Graham on ski lifts.
22:42   President Truman at Dog Show (Sun Valley Kennels).
23:30   Scenic views of Sun Valley, Idaho
24:25   President Truman enters unknown building.
24:33   Outdoor event.
24:41   Unidentified couple walking.
24:46   Two unidentified men seated outdoors on lounge chairs.
24:53   Ice skating
25:32   Unidentified couple watching ice skating.
25:40   Ice skating
25:57   Clark Clifford with unidentified man and woman (from 25:32)
26:07   Ice skating
26:34   Journalists, aides, military officers and press gathered near bus.
27:06   President Truman gets in automobile.
27:08   Title card: “June 8th. Enroute from Sun Valley to Idaho Falls (by auto)”.
27:15   Scenic views from car.
27:40   Sign visible “Greetings President Truman”.
27:44   President Truman on platform, raises hat.
27:50   President Truman gives speech. Signs visible in background: “Recreation Hall” “Ladies Rest Rooms” “Public welcome”.
27:53   Title card: “June 8th. Idaho Falls, Idaho”.
27:57   Boy Scouts holding flags.
28:06   Crowds at train depot.
28:28   Sign: “Lima / Elevation 6265 ft”
28:32   Title card: “June 9th. Spokane, Washington.”
28:36   Crowds at train station.
28:42   Banner visible: “Welcome Mr. President”
28:45   View of crowd.
28:50   Native American girl with “Spokane” on headband
29:06   President Truman in motorcade, waves to crowds.
29:49   President Truman gives speech near statue.
30:00   End of Reel 1
     
    Reel 2
00:00   Title card: “June 9th Grand Coulee Dam”
00:04   Scenic views of Columbia River, and tour buses
00:10   View of Grand Coulee Dam
00:55   President Truman and crowd at roadside scenic point. They look at scenic view.
01:10   Margaret Truman is shown looking at scenic view.
01:19   Mrs. Truman visible looking at scenic view.
01:23   Margaret Truman and Mrs. Mabel Wallgren (wife of Governor Mon Wallgren of Washington), look at scenic view.
01:39   Views of Columbia River
01:45   Young woman in Native American attire conversing with ladies at scenic point.
01:55   Margaret Truman is presented with a gift by Native American woman.
01:58   View of rushing water near Grand Coulee Dam.
02:02   View of Grand Coulee Dam.
02:15   Margaret Truman with Native American woman.
02:21   Dignitaries viewing Grand Coulee Dam.
02:35   Views of Columbia River flowing through Dam, and scenic views.
04:10   Dignitaries viewing Grand Coulee Dam.
04:25   Margaret Truman, Native American woman, Mrs. Truman, and Mrs. Mabel Wallgren view Grand Coulee Dam from scenic point.
04:35   Scenic views of Grand Coulee Dam.
04:43   Scenic views from automobile.
05:02   Governor Mon Wallgren of Washington, President Truman, and Margaret Truman view Grand Coulee Dam from scenic point.
05:20   Scenic views.
05:30   Sign visible, at scenic point: “Dry Falls of the Columbia” with description.
05:50   President Truman and Margaret view Grand Coulee Dam from scenic point.
06:14   Scenic views.
06:30   Parade.
06:40   Boy holds large photo of President Truman at head of parade.
07:25   Train station with sign “Ephrata”, indicating location of Ephrata, Washington.
07:40   Large crowd at train station.
07:55   Title card: “June 9th Wenatchee, Washington. It was here we first saw the flood waters of the Columbia.”
08:02   Scenic views of Columbia River from automobile.
08:20   Title card: “June 9th. Over the Cascades via Snoqualmie Pass.”
08:25   Views of Snoqualmie Pass.
08:30   Title card: “June 10th. The Naval Shipyard at Bremerton.”
08:34   President Truman reviews military parade at Bremerton.
08:40   President Truman shaking hands with Naval officers and dignitaries.
08:54   Boat with U. S. flag seen approaching dock.
08:56   Naval officers in formation at Bremerton.
09:00   Unidentified civilians on boat.
09:05   Views of Columbia River from boat.
09:10   View of boat on Columbia River.
09:25   Governor Mon Wallgren, Margaret Truman and other dignitaries on boat.
09:30   Title card: “June 10th, Seattle.”
09:38   Crowd near train platform. Naval band visible holding musical instruments.
09:45   Naval officers.
09:50   Dignitaries arrive.
10:00   View of Margaret Truman seated on platform.
10:04   President Truman arrives on platform.
10:09   Dignitaries stand, Mrs. Truman is next to President Truman.
10:12   Band begins playing.
10:19   Views of crowd from podium.
10:26   View of platform and stands.
10:43   President Truman gives speech.
10:58   View of newsreel cameras filming.
11:17   Conclusion of President Truman’s speech . Applause from crowd/audience. He returns to his place on podium.
11:31   Motorcade/Parade in Seattle. President Truman seated above back seat of car – he raises hat to crowd. (Business signs visible: “Sharon Hotel” and “Reynolds Hotel”)
12:00   President Truman (with hat on) lowers himself onto back seat inside car.
12:05   Mrs. Truman and Margaret with Mrs. Mabel Wallgren in black automobile behind Presidential car.
12:14   Title card: “Portland. The President views Vanport, scene of the disastrous Columbia River flood.”
12:18   View from the air of devastation of flood at Vanport
12:35   Close-up of houses under water.
13:00   President Truman visits area. View of crowd, reporters and cameramen.
13:40   Title card: “June 11th, Roseville, Oregon.”
13:43   View of crowd listening to President Truman’s speech at train depot. Sign visible: “Welcome President Truman, Roseville Chamber of Commerce”.
13:53   View of crowd.
14:08   View of interior of press car on train.
14:22   Donkey decorated with red feathers at train station.
14:37   President Truman gives speech from rear platform of train. Unknown man and woman (most likely local dignitaries) stand on either side of him.
14:48   View of Asian children in crowd.
14:54   President Truman speaking from rear train platform at unidentified location, with palm tree visible. (Possibly Berkeley, California?) Two unidentified men stand on either side of him.
16:33   Title card: “June 12th. University of California graduation exercises in the California Memorial Stadium. An honorary degree is conferred on the President.”
16:45   View of flags at California Memorial Stadium (Berkeley).
16:55   View of crowd at stadium. Some are seated in folding chairs in front of podium.
17:34   View of dignitaries on podium.
17:43   Flag of the President of the United States is seen.
17:56   View of crowd.
18:24   Margaret Truman is seated behind podium.
18:33   Procession to podium.
19:12   Ceremonies begin. Remarks by President Robert G. Sproul of the University of California at Berkeley.
19:16   President Truman (in cap and gown) approaches podium and is seated.
19:39   President Truman gives speech. Mrs. Truman is visible behind podium.
19:57   Dignitaries departing building.
20:08   Crowd lined on street.
20:20   Motorcade.
20:28   Title card: “June 13th. Flag Day exercises at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.”
20:33   President Truman seen in motorcade.
20:50   Planes fly overhead in formation.
20:59   Ceremony, President Truman seated on podium.
21:05   Planes fly overhead in formation.
21:15   View of crowd.
23:25   Dignitaries (including President Truman) on podium.
23:55   Press seated at tables.
24:18   President Truman gives speech.
24:26   Views of crowd from motorcade car. Greeting “Welcome to President Truman” made with flowers on front lawn of passing church.
24:43   Views of San Francisco from automobile.
25:17   Margaret Truman in open automobile with three unidentified women.
25:30   Views of San Francisco from automobile.
25:38   President Truman on rear platform of train station. Camera pans crowd, which includes military officers and musicians.
26:00   President Truman talks to military officers, in formation.
26:27   Title card: “June 14th. Los Angeles. Along the route of our motorcade from the Union Station to the Ambassador Hotel.”
26:35   View of motorcade from automobile. Group of African-Americans and civil rights workers hold sign: “The 62nd District Republicans Welcome President Truman. Thanks for the Civil Rights Program.” Another sign is also visible: “Welcome President Truman”.
26:40   Motorcade continues. President Truman seen waving to crowds from automobile.
27:08   Motorcade passes dignitaries standing outside City Hall, in pledge of allegiance. A band is playing.
27:15   Motorcade continues.
28:29   Title card: “Union Station, Los Angeles: The President expresses his appreciation to members of the Los Angeles police force for their good work.”
28:33   President Truman shakes hands with police officers.
28:57   Title card: “June 15th, Winslow, Arizona.” Scenes of the town and countryside.
30:05   Railroad car, “Santa Fe Railroad”.
30:15   Views of countryside and train engineers from platform.
31:21   President Truman speaking from train platform.
31:31   View of crowd, with “Gallup” visible on train station.
32:13   Title card: “June 15th, Albuquerque, New Mexico.”
32:18   View of Albuquerque.
32:33   Train depot at Newton, Kansas, and view of crowd.
32:56   Title card: “June 16th, Emporia, Kansas.”
33:03   View of crowd at Emporia train station.
33:28   Margaret Truman on train with unidentified friends.
33:53   At Warrensburg, Missouri train station.
34:13   Train stewards stand outside on platform.
34:21   Dr. Wallace Graham on platform, kneeling and talking to a young boy, with other bystanders nearby.
34:28   Title card: “June 16th, at Union Station in Kansas City.”
34:33   View of crowd at Kansas City.
35:10   Title card: “June 17. St. Louis. Crossing the Mississippi River.”
35:15   End.