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USIA Film Outtakes File

Abstract

The United States Information Agency (USIA) Film Outtakes File Collection contains outtake reels generated for documentary productions recorded between 1969 and 1972.

  • The Collection contains approximately 300 rolls of 35mm color and black & white motion picture film and film sound elements.
Scope and Content Note

Finding Aid

For detailed information (including each roll's shot description, format, and length), please see the USIA Finding Aid.

Topics

These 51 films are out-takes and pre-print material from "Inauguration," a film produced by the United States Information Agency in 1973. This eleven minute, forty-seven-second film, narrated by Charlton Heston, was used overseas only, for a period of two years. In 1977, the USIA transferred this film, along with its out-takes, to the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration's Motion Picture, Sound and Video Branch. Due to the nature of the footage the Branch transferred the out-takes to the Nixon Library.

The following is a synopsis of the edited film "Inauguration," from the USIA Retired Film and Video Catalogue:

"Documents the second inaugural of President Richard Nixon on January 20, 1973. Opens with the festivities of the preceding day, recalls, via drawings, the first U.S. presidential inauguration, that of George Washington in New York City, 1789, and then shows President Nixon's swearing-in, excerpts of his speech and parade highlights. Closes on a historical note with shots of the Capitol and Washington D.C.'s famous monuments."
 

These 136 films are out-takes and projection print material from "The First Step-President Nixon's European Visit," a film produced by the United States Information Agency in 1969. This thirty minute film was used overseas only, for a period of eight years. In 1978 USIA transferred this film, along with its out-takes, to the National Archives and Records Administration's Motion Picture, Sound and Video Branch. Due to the nature of the footage, the Branch transferred the collection's out-takes to the Nixon Library.

The film includes Nixon visiting the cities of Brussels, Paris, Rome, the Vatican, London, Bonn, and Berlin. The following is a synopsis of the edited film "The First Step," from the USIA Retired Film and Video Catalogue:

"Highlights President Nixon's European visit, February 25 through March 3, 1969. Depicts the warm welcome given the new U.S. President and his visits with the leaders of France, Germany, England, Belgium, and Italy."

This series of 106 films details Nixon's 1972 China Trip. These are 35mm "blow-ups" of 16 mm films produced by White House contractors (the Wolper Organization) for the Nixon White House. Some scenes of interest include:

  • 1973 Inauguration (RG: 306.06605)
  • 1969 European Trip (RG: 306.07365)
  • 1972 China Trip (RG: 306.07472)
    • Events: gymnastics, troop review, Panda watching
    • Locations: the Summer Place, the Forbidden Palace, the Emperor's Palace, the Great Wall
    • People: Chou En-Lai
    • Locations: Hang Chow (Hangzhou), Peking (Beijing), and Shanghai

Copyright Information

The copyright status of much of this film is unknown.

How to Get Copies