Reel

Unedited version of "This Honorable Court". Regards the history of the Supreme Court of the United States. Originally shot on film. Some archival footage in B&W, duly noted in segments.

Color archival shots of 1968 Republican National Convention. Mass of balloons fall from ceiling to delegate floor. Richard Nixon and Pat Nixon walk through floor. Pro-Nixon signs on convention floor. Low angle of Nixon waving and pointing and flashing peace sign to crowd. Sign - PEORIA FOR NIXON.

Richard Nixon giving campaign speeches some of our courts in their decisions have gone too far in weakening the peace forces against the criminal forces and I will restore that balance People in audience cheering.

Supporters of Third Party candidate George Wallace at 1968 Convention. George Wallace speaking, When I become the President I m going to ask that we do whatever s necessary whether it takes a Constitutional amendment or a statute to see that all federal judges on the lower courts in Florida and the District Courts, and the Supreme Court have to be reconfirmed by the Senate every eight years and then if you have any Senators that vote for Mr. Warren s reconfirmation, you can get rid of them at the next election. Audience applauding wildly.

June 23, 1969. Steps in of front of Supreme Court building. Earl Warren standing on steps, photographers taking his picture as he waves his hat.

DO NOT USE Still photo of Eisenhower and Earl Warren.

DO NOT USE Still photo of Lyndon Baines Johnson with Thurgood Marshall.

Justice Thurgood Marshall in Court chambers, telling story about LBJ encouraging him to maintain his independence. He said, well I guess this is about to end isn t it? I said you mean you and I being friends? He said yep. I said well Mr. President, Tom Clark was Harry Truman s best friend and when the steel thing went through and that case came to the Court, Tom Clark wrote the opinion tearing Truman down. And if and when I need to do it, I will do the same thing to you. And he said, that s as I would have it. And so I said, thank you, sir. We re in business.

Justice Thurgood Marshall in hall of Supreme Court building on the first day of his tenure, an aide helping him into robe, his wife and children watching, wife fastening judge's robe.

May 21, 1969. Color shot of chandelier in a White House press room, reporters filing into room, taking seats. President Richard Nixon at podium, I am very proud tonight to nominate as the 15th Chief Justice of the United States, Judge Warren Burger. Justice Burger walking to podium shakes Nixon's hand.

Justice William Rehnquist donning Supreme Court robe. Justice Lewis Powell donning robe. Lewis and Mr. Rehnquist posing for photographers; great shot paparazzi.