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Motion Picture MP2005-23

Miscellaneous Events from Harry S. Truman’s Public Life

Administrative Information

Original Format(s)
Motion Picture
Footage
895 feet
Running Time
24 minutes 52 seconds
Sound
intermittent
Color
Black & White
Produced by
Sammie Feeback
Restrictions
Unrestricted
Description

Narration by Randall Jessee begins the film with former President Truman attending the 75th Anniversary of Wentworth Military Academy on November 14, 1954 and becoming an honorary Colonel. Harry S. Truman and Randall Jessee also record an introduction about Operation Skywatch on the fourth anniversary of the program in 1957. Other film clips include recorded messages for the National Press Photographers Association convention, Harry and Bess Truman arriving on a train in Independence, Missouri, Mr. Truman voting, and Harry and Bess leaving on a train bound for New York, Mr. Truman's 73rd and 74th birthday celebrations, Jack Benny's arrival in Kansas City, and Truman Corners dedication. Some of this footage is also on MP2005-18.

Date(s)
1954 - 1958
Available Format(s)
Motion Picture
Video Tape

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​​​​​​​

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   Sound: The film begins with a brief newsreel segment of President Harry S. Truman at Wentworth Military Academy. The opening titles read, “Lexington, Mo. It’s Colonel Truman Now.” Music and voice-over narration by Randall Jessee accompanies footage of Wentworth’s 75th anniversary on 11-14-1954 and Truman becoming an honorary colonel in the Wentworth Cadet Corps. The cadet corps marches past Truman in revue.
00:56   Sound: Truman and Randall Jessee sit in an office and record an introduction for a film report produced about Operation Skywatch, a joint central air defense force, and specifically the Skywatch nerve center at Grandview, Missouri upon the fourth anniversary of the program in 1957. Truman praises the preparedness of the U. S. military and makes an appeal to expand Skywatch with more observation posts.
03:14   Sound: Mayor Roe Bartle of Kansas City films a message to the National Press Photographers Association on the advent of their national convention in Washington, D.C. He introduces Pat Callahan, who is Miss Press Photographer of Kansas City and will compete in a beauty contest at the convention. He gives Callahan the key to the city to present to the president of the Association with an invitation to bring the convention to Kansas City the following year. He then introduces Harry S. Truman. This appears to be a finalized version of practice takes found on MP2005-18.
04:47   Sound: Mr. Truman sits at a desk spread with books, photos, and other paraphernalia. He also films a message for the National Press Photographers Association, which is essentially a pitch for Kansas City to host their 1958 convention. He invites the photographers to see his soon-to-be-opened Harry S. Truman Library and offers a personal tour. This footage also found on MP2005-18.
06:30   A girl stands with a clapboard marked with the date “7/7/56.” Focus is on a sign that reads, “Independence.” A train arrives at a station, and Harry S. Truman and Bess Truman disembark. Arriving home after an overseas trip, the Truman’s are greeted by a large group of family members and news media. Together they shake hand with greeters, and Harry Truman gives an interview to a young woman journalist. Finally the Truman’s climb into cars and arrive at their home.
09:21   Mr. Truman stands in front of a voting booth, probably at the Memorial Building in Independence, and makes comments before moving outside to shake hands and pose for photos. Truman and the reporters then walk back to Mr. Truman’s house. Mr. Truman leaves the reporters at the gate to his yard. This is a shorter version of identical footage also found on MP2005-18.
10:38   The next segment returns to the Independence Train Depot on a different occasion. Harry S. Truman and Bess Truman leave for New York in 1957. Shots show the Truman’s walking to the depot and a large group of children waving their farewells as the train pulls away.
11:56   This segment begins with an exterior shot the Muehlebach Hotel in 1957. Harry S. Truman arrives in a car outside and is greeted. The film moves inside the hotel for a dinner given in honor of Truman’s 73rd birthday. He cuts the cake. Focus is on the cake, which reads “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” with the number “73” written in frosting on top numerous times. Truman sits at the table and talks to both those seated around him and the camera. Other guests are shown, including Kansas City Mayor H. Roe Bartle. Truman is presented with a plaque and signs autographs.
15:11   Another birthday celebration begins. Cars pull up in a residential neighborhood and Harry S. Truman exits. A small, informal party is given to celebrate Truman’s 74th birthday in 1958 at the Harry S. Truman Library. A cake is rolled out. Two small boys dressed as cowboys present Truman with a U.S. flag. Other gifts are presented. Truman cuts cake for the two boys and chats with them. Mr. Truman and the guests take group photos.
16:32   Focus is now on a much grander cake. This cake is for an elaborate 74th birthday celebration at the Muehlebach Hotel. The camera pans around the banquet to show guests. Focus is on a fountain and then the cake again. Guests are given an opportunity to make remarks with a microphone. Harry S. Truman receives gifts including a helmet, a hat, gloves, a pipe, a book and a painting, among others. Truman makes remarks standing next to the painting of a Margaret Truman Daniel and her baby son, Clifton Truman Daniel.
20:34   Close-up on a sign mounted on a car door which reads, “Kansas City Welcomes Jack Benny.” This introduces scenes of Jack Benny (who came for a benefit show for the KC Philharmonic in 1957) arriving at the Kansas City airport, where he is greeted by Truman and others. Benny rides in a Maxwell as part of a parade of old cars. Truman stands next to the antique car and has a conversation with Benny before the parade leaves. This footage also found on MP2005-18.
21:48   The Truman family, including Harry and Bess Truman, Mary Jane Truman, and J. Vivian Truman, attend the dedication of Truman Corners on September 12, 1957. A box full of mementos is placed in the cornerstone, and the Truman family’s plaque is unveiled. Harry S. Truman makes remarks to the crowd. This footage also found on MP2005-18.
24:07   Close-up on a sign, which reads: “Independence, the Home of Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States.” Harry S. Truman stands near train tracks and watches as a train pulls into the depot. Others see off Harry and Bess Truman they leave Independence by train to spend Christmas in New York with Daniel family in 1957. This footage also found on MP2005-18.