Himself (archive footage)
Thomas Hart Benton's paintings were energetic and uncompromising. Today his works are in museums, but Benton hung them in saloons for ordinary people to appreciate.
Self
Thomas Hart Benton demonstrates the main steps in planning and executing a mural: beginning designs, sketches, layout, clay model, small painting, larger clay model and all stages of painting.
Contemporary American artists are seen at work. Their style, choice of subject matter and methods of painting are shown along with mention of their popularity with ordinary Americans.