Popular Entertainment - Overview
This Museum's popular entertainment collections hold some of the Smithsonian's most beloved artifacts. The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz reside here, along with the Muppet character Kermit the Frog, and props from popular television series such as M*A*S*H and All in the Family. But as in many of the Museum's collections, the best-known objects are a small part of the story.
The collection also encompasses many other artifacts of 19th- and 20th-century commercial theater, film, radio, and TV—some 50,000 sound recordings dating back to 1903; posters, publicity stills, and programs from films and performances; puppets; numerous items from World's Fairs from 1851 to 1992; and audiovisual materials on Groucho Marx, to name only a few.
"Popular Entertainment - Overview" showing 52 items.
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Cuban Rumba Dress
- Description
- This is a Bata Cubana, or Cuban Rumba dress, donated to the Smithsonian by Celia Cruz, the great Cuban salsa singer in 1997. An adaptation of the traditional Cuban rumba dress, it was made in the United States by Cuban-born designer José Arteaga. The Bata Cubana has its roots in the 19th century, with origins as diverse as the multicultural makeup of the people of Cuba. It brings together influences from Spanish, French, and African culture and dress, combining theater, fiesta, and the spectacle of carnival with slave and gypsy dress. The Bata Cubana is a garment worn for performance on stage or cabaret. Celia Cruz's Bata Cubana is made of orange polyester satin, trimmed with white nylon eyelet along ruffle-edges and eyelet beading along seams with inserted orange ribbon. The Bata Cubana was Celia's preferred performance costume.
- Date made
- ca 1992
- date made
- 1973-1987
- designer
- Arteaga, Enrique
- ID Number
- 1997.0291.01
- accession number
- 1997.0291
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Accordian Player, Louisiana
- Description
- The first accordion was built in Germany in 1822. It took close to one hundred years before it was introduced into country music.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1977
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.027
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.027
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Waylon Jennings
- Description
- Waylon Jennings's first single, the Cajun song "Jole Blon," was produced by Buddy Holly in 1958. Jennings (1937-2002) moved to a more hardcore country sound by the 1970s. Rejecting slick commercial conventions of the time and demanding more control of his music, Jennings's professional and personal lifestyle personified what became known as the Outlaw Country movement.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1975
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.029
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.029
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Johnson Mountain Boys
- Description
- The Johnson Mountain Boys was a traditional bluegrass band formed in the Washington, D.C. suburbs in the 1970s. Its members were vocalist, banjoist, and guitarist Dudley Connell, David McLauglin, fiddler Eddie Stubbs, and bassist Larry Robbins. Connell worked for Smithsonian Folkways for a time and Stubbs went on to host the Grand Ole Opry.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1981
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.030
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.030
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Stringbean
- Description
- Nationally known by the 1950s, "Stringbean" David Akeman (1915-1973) was a country comedian and exceptional banjo player. He is credited with reviving interest in the banjo in bluegrass and country music. He made his first banjo from a shoebox and string, and later went on to play with Bill Monroe's Band. Uncle Dave Macon mentioned Stringbean in classic jokes and traditional tunes, and was among the first Opry members to join the cast of Hee Haw. Publicity photographs in the background of this picture include Jean Shepherd, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper, Stringbean himself, Bobby Lord, Bill Anderson, Flatt and Scruggs, the Browns, and the Four Guys.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1972
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.031
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.031
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Holy Modal Rounders
- Description
- The Holy Modal Rounders, a folk/country band, was formed in 1961 by guitarist Steve Weber (right) and banjoist and fiddler Peter Stampfel in New York City's Greenwich Villiage. The popular music label, Rounder Records, owes its name to this innovative and controversial band.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1972
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.032
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.032
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Jeannie C. Riley
- Description
- Best known for her crossover hit, "Harper Valley PTA," Jeannie C. Riley (b. 1945) is pictured her on her tour bus.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1973
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.033
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.033
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
EmmyLou Harris
- Description
- Working on assignment, Henry Horenstein photographed EmmyLou Harris (b. 1947) at her home. In the 1970s, Harris represented the generation of musicians who were influenced by traditional country, rock, and folk music. Over the years, Harris has had a profound impact on contemporary popular and country music.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1980
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.034
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.034
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Mack Magaha
- Description
- Mach Magaha (1929-2003) was a sought-after bluegrass fiddler. A member of Don Reno and Red Smiley's Tennessee Cut-Ups in the 1950s and 1960s, he next worked with Porter Wagoner for nearly twenty years.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1975
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.037
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.037
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Stoney and Wilma Lee Cooper
- Description
- The Coopers welcomed Henry Horestein in their home, a great example of the accessibility of stars just thirty years ago. Wilma Lee (Leigh Leary, b. 1921) and Stoney Cooper (Dale Troy, 1918-1977) ranked as one of the great husband-wife teams in country music. Their musical careers helped to bridge older and newer styles.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1974
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.038
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.038
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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