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  4. Screen Gems Collection (outtakes from the television series “Decision:  The Conflicts of Harry S. Truman”)

Motion Picture MP2002-97

Screen Gems Collection (outtakes from the television series “Decision:  The Conflicts of Harry S. Truman”)

Administrative Information

Footage
145 feet
Running Time
4 minutes 9 seconds
Film Gauge
35mm
Sound
sound
Color
Black & White
Produced by
Screen Gems in association with Ben Gradus
Restrictions
Unrestricted
Description

Harry S. Truman is asked about walking to the Harry S. Truman Library. He replied that he had so many interruptions on the walk that he was never on time, so he started driving. Mr. Truman answers questions about his driving and how it feels to be a private citizen. Sound only.

Date(s)
ca.
1961 - 1963

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
Screen Gems

Shot List

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Reel 1

0:00   Unidentified voice: “Scene 1, Question 12, Roll 5” This soundtrack consists of Mr. Truman responding to questions by Ben Gradus. Question about walking to the Harry S. Truman Library. Mr. Truman replies he had so many interruptions on the walk that he never got to the Library on time, so he started driving. Many people would come up to him for his autograph or to shake his hand. He explains that Missouri had three notorious characters: Sen. Thomas Hart Benton, Jesse James, and himself. People just wanted to meet a notorious character.
2:27   Question about whether he is a good driver. Mr. Truman replies that he hasn’t had an accident and has been driving since 1912. When asked about his morning walks, he replies that he walks early because there are less interruptions, and walks at 120 steps a minute. The reporters had to get up early to walk with him, and were exhausted afterwards. Unidentified voice: “Scene 1, Question 13, Roll 6.” Question about how it feels to be a private citizen again. Mr. Truman replies “it’s a very great relief.” The difficulty of becoming a private citizen is that people still regard him as the President, which he cannot be again.
3:40   Question: what is the basic lesson of your whole life? Mr. Truman replies “I don’t know what your aiming at with that question.” Mr. Gradus: “Thank you very much for your patience.” This was probably used in preparation for MP81-7, “And Now – Citizen.”