Motion Picture MP2002-325
Administrative Information
Harry S. Truman speaks with school children regarding the years he spent in the Senate and the events that led up to his election as President. Mr. Truman discusses the presidents he considers as having done the most for the welfare of the country. Mr. Truman admonishes the students to study about their government because the next generation belongs to them. Sound only.
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Shot List
Reel 1
| 0:00 | Unidentified voice says "104, take 1, sound 83." There is direction being given to children, and a voice says "wildtrack 1,016, enthusiasm and applause, President's entrance." | |
| 2:45 | Lots of clapping and applause, as children rehearse for the President’s entrance. Voice says "scene 105, take 1, sound 84." | |
| 4:10 | Mr. Truman: "Good to see you here this morning." Mr. Truman discusses the Constitution and George Washington. | |
| 5:29 | Mr. Truman answers child's question about sports, stating he was clumsy at sports. He was made umpire because he couldn't see very well. He joked about a lot of umpires not being able to see very well. | |
| 8:57 | Mr. Truman states he never expected to be president, even when he was in the senate. The ten years he spent in the senate were "the happiest years of my political career." | |
| 6:15 | Mr. Truman states the Korean decision was his most important decision because it involved the United Nations. | |
| 7:10 | Mr. Truman discusses the presidents he considers as having done the most for the welfare of the country. He names Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, Wilson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, giving the particular contributions of each. He mentions the correspondence between Jefferson and Adams. | |
| 10:34 | Mr. Truman states he has been broke all his life. He claims a man can be a good citizen without a lot of money in the bank, "a damn sight better one than a person with a million dollars." | |
| 11:17 | Harry S. Truman discusses living in the White House saying conditions were "exceedingly satisfactory." But "you can’t take it with you" when you leave. He tried to return home and live as he had before, although it is hard to do. | |
| 12:01 | Mr. Truman says his first decision on taking office was to organize the United Nations in San Francisco. | |
| 12:25 | Mr. Truman reiterates he had no idea of ever becoming president. | |
| 13:00 | Mr. Truman ends his session with students, admonishing them to study about our government as "the next generation will be in your hands." He jokingly tells the crowd "you didn’t know you were going to get into this, did you?" | |
| Unidentified voice says "106, take 1, sound 85." | ||
| Remainder of tape is Mr. Truman being asked for autographs and staff discussing his schedule with him. Rose Conway can be heard. Voice says "106, take 1, sound 86." | ||