Motion Picture MP64-10

Open End

Administrative Information

Original Format(s)
Motion Picture
Footage
1854 feet
2040 feet
Running Time
51 minutes 30 seconds
56 minutes 40 seconds
Film Gauge
16mm
Sound
sound
Color
Black & White
Produced by
David Susskind, Jean Kennedy
Restrictions
Undetermined
Description

Interview with Harry S. Truman by David Susskind, covering such topics as retirement, young people, teachers, American morality, John F. Kennedy, Khrushchev, and the United Nations. Air date: September 17, 1961.

Date(s)
September 17, 1961
1961
Available Format(s)
Motion Picture
Video Tape
DVD

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.

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​​​​​​​

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Moving Image Type
Motion Picture

Shot List

  • Reel 1
     
00:45   Intro Harry S. Truman by Susskind. How do you explain your good health? Temperance in all things. Morning walks help? Yes. Why do reporters huff and puff? Smoking.
02:15   How do you feel about retirement? Haven’t retired.
03:00   How do you spend your day? Get up at 5 a.m. – read papers, breakfast at 7:00 a.m. Go to Truman Library to work. Visitors come at 9:00 a.m. Go home for lunch at noon. Work and take nap at home 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Up to read. Supper. Visit with neighbors. To bed. Interesting days.
05:00   Why did you move back to Independence? It is home. Roots there. Other Presidents have gone to NY, etc? If possible, should go home.
06:45   People come with peculiar and special warmth. Why? I didn’t know that – but it’s nice. I’ve always liked people.
08:00   In Pre-1960 Convention days, did you consider running for President? No, if I’d wanted to do that I would have run in 1952. Old birds who hang on keep young people from coming in and learning about government.
09:00   What is your impression of youth today? Finest in the world. I’ve talked to many. They ask intelligent questions – are interested in learning.
11:00   What is your opinion on what the press says is a wave of conservatism in youth? College students come from conservative families, often they change as they graduate.
12:00   What are their attitudes on the Cold War? They grew up in a world of turmoil. They want to learn and change. Do not blame past leaders.
13:00   Do they have a grasp of red menace? Yes, I’m not worried about their attitude. I’m worried about the fact that they don’t get all the information so as to make decisions. The problem is in our schools – over-crowded, underpaid teachers.
15:00   The teacher used to have stature – is his role diminished? No – many still work hard in spite of pay, etc.
16:00   What about the American culture – are we getting soft? Maybe – but we will be strong if necessary.
17:00   American morality? Bad only in groups looking for wealth. Most are fundamentally honest and moral.
18:00   American destiny? Is it receding? No – we haven’t begun to expand.
18:30   Is there a procrastination and vacillation in our American life? Of course, but those at top have provided leadership.
19:45   How do you feel about USSR – that they have a fervor. Have we a fervor for democracy? We don’t have the same totalitarian fervor. But we and Western Europe do have fervor to remain free.
21:15   Do we take our advantages too lightly? Yes.
21:30   What is your opinion of John F. Kennedy? He is doing good – will make a great President. HST : “I may not have been a great President, but had good time trying to be one.”
22:30   What should be the role of the United States? Leadership of the free world. We did something after WWII – rehabilitated our enemies. To be leadership of action and spiritual force? Yes.
23:15   What is Khrushchev’s intent? To take over the free world.
24:15   Can we co-exist? Hates the word co-exist. We cannot co-exist with USSR, they break their word.
25:00   How can we meet USSR threats? Keep ahead of them. Keep people informed. Responsibility of a free press.
26:00   Sponsor pause
26:15   United Nations– How has it worked? Has made great progress. Can make the world peaceful if it is allowed to work. Hope US will continue to cooperate – not possible to be isolationist.
28:00   Can United Nations be military force? Not military but police force. It is needed. UN to make decision and them to carry it out.
29:30   Dag Hammerskjold? Good man.
30:00   Should US have resource to UN in reference to USSR? We try but USSR vetoes.
30:30   Should we take problems to UN instead of working directly with USSR? Yes – in old days we could work direct, but now we need UN.
31:30   Should the Berlin type crisis be taken to UN? Yes.
32:15   US will meet problems in UN – especially Red China admittance. US should allow debate but don’t admit them. How about troika head of UN? No – need one executive.
33:45   How about new free nations gaining power in UN? O.K. – they will listen to reason.
34:30   Comment on Berlin Crisis? No – I haven’t the facts.
37:00   Commercial pause
37:15   Miscellaneous
37:30   What about Red China? Exploding population – Russia worried because they might slop over into Russia.
39:30   Is there an ideological rift – USSR & China? Don’t know.
40:00   Striving for National identity in Africa. Natural tendency. Will settle down after they attain identity and economic stability.
41:00   What should US contribute? Point 4-type help.
42:15   Critics say our money and efforts are misspent? No, of course there have been “dumb- bells” in the program but over all it was good. Besides money – what else could we do? Don’t know but feel that the efforts so far have been good and worthwhile.
43:30   Can Third World stand aside? No – must get involved. Cannot be neutralists.
45:00   What is your opinion of resumption of USSR nuclear testing? They said they wouldn’t. Should we have stopped testing? No (expounded on this.)
49:00   Nehru said next war would be end of world? He should not be neutralist – should work for peace. Only way to maintain peace is to be strong and face enemy.
50:00   People claim HST makes provocative statements? No – only told truth – not intended to cause trouble.
51:00   Criticism of use of strong language? Intended to emphasize, not used as swearing.
  • Reel 2
00:00   When heads of state get together – is lack of common language a barrier? Yes, it could be.
01:30   Did you feel that you knew Stalin? Had pleasant conversations with him.
02:45   Missouri Waltz not favorite? No, Chopin Etude 42 A Flat Waltz.
03:30   Is it indispensable for press to rough up the President? No, but they do. Spoke about press and other Presidents.
05:00   I liked working press – didn’t like editors and publishers
06:00   What is Potomac fever? Wilson’s definition.
06:30   President and press – what is corrective force which shows reality? History itself.
07:30   Is there any change in the press since you came out of office? On consolidation.
08:00   Which papers do you read? New York Times, St. Louis Dispatch, Kansas City Star, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune edits too much.
08:30   TV is doing a good job.
09:20   How dangerous is consolidation of newspaper controls? Not good – need competition.
10:40   At election time HST becomes very partisan. I’m loyal to Democratic party – I try to help them.
12:30   Did you extemporize speeches? Sometimes.
13:00   commercial pause
13:15   Growing Soviet menace – how do you feel about it? There is a menace. Can only be settled by people in Russia. They all want freedom. Not probable in our lifetime.
16:30   How do you advise to meet challenges? Accept it and face it and try to better it.
17:30   Do you have patience with psychologists who equate juvenile delinquency to Cold War? Suggest a sane person give psychologists a test and find a loose screw.
18:30   W. Wilson says that the President represents all people. Right.
19:30   Congressional stubbornness? Part of our system. Usually when Congress tries to get President’s powers.
20:30   What are weapons in fight? President should be doing right and convince Congress.
21:15   Truman Library – hope to be a place of study? Yes – a center for study of the Presidency.
23:30   Who were your favorite Presidents? Washington – formed government , Jefferson – aroused people to interest, Jackson – carried on in spite of opponents, Lincoln – saved union, Cleveland, Teddy Roosevelt – anti-trust, F.D.R. – great depression.
25:45   Most effective means for President to inform country? Press conference; messages to Congress; important speeches are broadcast (talks about Woodrow Wilson)
27:45   When President is in stalemate with Congress, should he have added use of broadcasts? Yes.
28:45   Besides Presidents, who has made greatest contribution to US in recent past? Gen. George C. Marshall – Chief of Staff and then China trip, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense; in each job he did outstanding work. Great administrator. What kind of man was he personally? Kindly. Does his lack of recognition stem from his self effacement? Yes.
31:45   Presidential Press Conference? Great. I learned a lot.
32:15   Effect of Presidency on his family? Great – people always try to use them (39 first cousins)
34:00   Is it hard to be President and father? I didn’t find it too hard – Margaret had a good mother. Bess runs the family.
35:00   What about Secret Service? Finest men, amiable, know their job. Do you get accustomed to their presence? Yes, got to know them well.
37:00   Do you miss them in Independence? I don’t need them there – it’s home. They are friends.
38:15   When you come to New York City, do you find it difficult to pay for things? I don’t like to be a moocher.
39:15   Do you enjoy visiting New York City? Yes – “camp followers” - T.V. & reporters are out.
40:45   Should President travel outside country? If necessary (Potsdam)
42:00   Time of Decision – TV show? Intended to inform people what my programs and intentions were. Want to get it on the record. Show how it effects later actions. Discusses content of shows. Not Monday morning quarterback.
51:00   No regrets on any decisions? Right – no regrets. President is the only lobbyist for all the people.
54:00   Closing. Thanks, Susskind regards HST as a great man and President.
55:00   Credits. A Metropolitan Broadcasting Production