Westport Historical Society presents Tom and Harry filmmaker

Filmmaker Terence O’Malley.

Kansas City has some interesting historical figures, including Tom Pendergast and Harry Truman.

Now the two come together in a new documentary by local filmmaker Terence O’Malley called “Tom and Harry: The Boss and the President.”

The Westport Historical Society and the Kansas City Public Library will host O’Malley, who will speak about his film  on Saturday, August 10.

O’Malley released his latest film last fall.  It tells the true story of the corrupt Pendergast political machine and Harry Truman’s unswerving allegiance to Boss Tom.

O’Malley’s first film, “Nelly Don: A Stitch in Time,” is the story of Mrs. James A. Reed, who was known throughout the country as Nelly Don, the largest dress manufacturer in the world in the 20th century.

O’Malley has directed three more documentary films and authored two books on Kansas City history.  Among them are: the companion book to his film “Nelly Don,” and “Black Hand Strawman: The History of Organized Crime in Kansas City.”  Both his films and books have been very popular.

O’Malley also directed a 40-minute short film called “Shooting Back in Time: The Kansas City Union Station Massacre.”

Details

  • The presentation will be held at 2:00 pm, on Saturday, August 10, 2013, at the Westport Library, 118 Westport Road.
  •  A speaker’s reception O’Malley will follow the program at the 1855 Harris-Kearney House Museum, which is located across the street at 4000 Baltimore.
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