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"THE ELMS was my first sound film, in 1964, made after the assassination of JFK. I hoped that the title might bring to mind the American Elm tree, which was seen to be doomed by way of disease. The assassination of Kennedy in 1963 was a tremendously emotional blow and omen of things to come. The whole country watched the funeral ceremonies play out on TV, and I taped everything I could of those events – music, words, prayers, the killing of Lee Harvey Oswald , and more. I needed to make a film that would incorporate some of those sounds, but I also wanted to introduce other components. Some people assumed I was making an homage to JFK. That is not the case. I think it should be clear that what I was concerned about was the evolving state of our nation." –Abbott Meader