When first offered the lead role in the made-for-HBO movie "Truman," Gary Sinise was "baffled."
The Oscar-nominated actor wasn't sure he could play the 33rd President."This is the first time that I've actually had to play the central figure in a film," Sinise said. "And before I took it on, I really wanted to convince myself that I could find the essence of Harry Truman and bring him to life in a believable fashion."
So he did as much research as he could in a short time. He went to the Truman Library in Independence, Mo. There, he watched film of Harry's speech at the 1948 Democratic convention.
"And it was at that point that something kicked in for me," Sinise recently told TV critics. "I remember calling (director) Frank (Pierson) and saying, `We have to have more speeches in this movie!'
"In that speech, he's so adamant about his beliefs. He's actually really so aggressive in that speech that he was just captivating."
Sinise needn't have worried - he is captivating as Truman. He is transformed into the late president - not just with an amazing make-up job, but with a performance that transcends the makeup.
"Truman," based on David McCullough's best-selling book, follows Truman from age 33 - just as he was about to enlist to serve in World War I - through age 68, when he left office.
"I didn't want to imitate every single move and every gesture and everything about him, I wanted to create an impression of him," Sinise said.
"It was a pretty convincing impression," said Pierson. "About a third of the way through the picture, I was leaning over to give some notes to Gary . . . and I heard myself say, `Mr. President, would you mind reading this line?' "
"Truman" (9 p.m. on HBO) is superior stuff - engaging, enlightening and thought provoking.
Tom Rickman's script does an excellent job of hitting the highlights of Truman's life over those 35 years. Although by necessity episodic, the story flows smoothly.
The supporting cast is excellent (particularly Diana Scarwid as Bess), as is Pierson's direction.
But it is the story of Truman himself - a man of remarkable integrity and forthrightness - that resonates so strongly.
"I fell in love with Harry Truman when I was playing him. . . . I ended up with enormous respect for him," Sinise said.
"Truman" leaves you with a renewed respect for Harry - and for Gary.
DON'T FORGET THE SWITCH: In case you've missed the thousands of stories about it in this newspaper and the millions of promos on Ch. 2 and Ch. 5, the big network affiliation switch takes place tonight at 1 a.m. (early Sunday).
Remember, bginning Sunday morning, KUTV-Ch. 2 will carry CBS programming and KSL-Ch. 5 will be the new NBC affiliate.
NEW GENERAL MANAGER: David Phillips takes over as general manager at KUTV-Ch. 2 on Monday. He'll be running the station, although current President Jeffrey Hatch has the option of maintaining an office there.
Phillips has been director of operations at Group W-owned KPIX in San Francisco. Group W has just taken control of Ch. 2, after buying 88 percent of the station in partnership with CBS.
The only other immediate change Group W has announced at Ch. 2 is that it has installed a new comptroller at the station.