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Motion Picture MP2005-17

Harry S. Truman Tours Truman Library News Segment

Administrative Information

Footage
221 feet
Running Time
6 minutes 8 seconds
Tape Format
3/4 inch video tape
Sound
sound
Color
Black & White
Produced by
Sammie Feeback, originally for broadcast on NBC in July, 1957, the day before the Library opened to the public
Restrictions
Undetermined
Description
Film footage by cameraman Sammie Feeback, narrated by Randall Jessee and Harry S. Truman. Footage shows the Harry S. Truman Library before it opened, and former President Truman walking through the storage areas, playing the piano, and telling stories about objects and what he remembers about them. He speaks of the importance of the Library and that he hopes other Presidents will follow in creating such public archives.
Date(s)
1957

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
00:00 The film opens with a shot of the United States President’s seal, followed by exterior views of Truman Library. The camera shows the point-of-view of someone touring the empty hallways of the Library before it is opened to the public. The film is narrated by Randall Jessee, who describes the purpose of the Library.
01:05 Jessee’s narration ends, and voice-over by Harry S. Truman begins. Truman sits at a piano and plays. Then he moves on to a portrait of his mother. He talks about his debt to her, her encouragement of his education, and her grief when Franklin D. Roosevelt died.
01:40 Truman walks through artifact storage areas. He finds his Battery D guidon. This spurs him to reminisce about his compatriots in WWI and how the guidon was created. This leads into a brief summary of his path to the White House.
02:17 Truman looks at the Bible used to swear him into office and discusses him memories of that day.
02:49 Truman moves on to look at a bust of the flag raising at Iwo Jima. He discusses meeting the real soldiers, his hopes for continuing peace, and accepting the Japanese surrender.
03:25 Truman looks at a beam from the White House that once cracked while Margaret Truman stood under it. He says this incident led to his decision to repair the White House.
03:46 Truman looks at a photograph of an atomic explosion, and discussion of dropping bombs on Japan ensues.
04:19 Truman then discusses the significance of an engraved ceremonial trowel given to him when he laid the cornerstone of the United Nations building in New York and his speech from that day.
04:50 Truman walks through the Library building and discusses what he believes is the importance of the Library and how he hopes other presidents will follow his suit in creating such enterprises.
05:37 Narration by Mr. Jessee resumes for a brief closing. Truman exits, and then one last exterior shot of the Library.