[Nixon's Checkers speech]

Duration: 30

Year Published: 1956

Format: 16mm

Color: B&W

Sound: sound

Credits: Nixon, Richard M.; Checkers speech.

Description: Approximate running time: 30:00.; Speech is from Nixon's vice-Presidential campaign.; Opening title reads: "NBC Television presents".; PFA 1612-89-2645. Contact depositor re: any public exhibition. OK for research.; Pacific Film Archive collection; non-circulating. CBPF.; Film begins with a voice-over stating "The following program is sponsored by the Republican National Committee, The Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, and the Republican Congressional Committee." This is followed by a title reading "Richard Nixon, United States Senator, California". Voice-over then resumes: You are about to hear a report from Senator Richard Nixon, nominee for the office of vice-president of the United States. The Senator has interrupted his campaign tour to be with you tonight for this important message." Picture dissolves from title to shot of Nixon seated at his desk with his eyes closed. As the last vestige of the title fades, Nixon opens his eyes. The voice-over then announces, "Ladies and gentlemen, Senator Richard Nixon!"; Beginning with the famous words, "My fellow Americans", Nixon addresses the charges that he has accepted illicit funds. Occasional cutaways are made to his wife, Pat, who looks on approvingly from her off-camera seat on a sofa near his desk. After making a heart-rendering biographical statement, Nixon proceeds to enumerate the state of his personal finances. He concludes by confessing that while innocent of the crimes of which he is accused, he has accepted the political gift of a little dog, whom his daughter Tricia has named Checkers. He states that he "won't give the dog back, no matter what."; PFA 1612-89-2645. D0089; PFA 1612-89-2645. CONDITION NOTE: Last inspected: 04 Mar 1997; Very good condition; print is clearly a kinescope or tv-to-film transfer, as occasional video artifacts are visible, and picture tends to exhibit a slight horizontal drift towards the beginning of the speech; in purple can

Metadata Source:BERKELEY ART MUSEUM AND PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE