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 3 items.
Koschei Puppet
- Description (Brief)
- Basil Milovsoroff (1906–1992) made whimsical puppets as part of a WPA program. Milovsoroff emigrated from Siberia as a child. He created fanciful puppets based on characters from Russian folklore, such as the magical villain Koschei.
- date made
- ca 1939
- maker
- Milovsoroff, Basil
- ID Number
- 1985.0398.02
- accession number
- 1985.0398
- catalog number
- 1985.0398.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Kermit the Frog
- Description
- The creation and alter ego of master puppeteer Jim Henson, Kermit the Frog is an American icon, recognized worldwide as the television star of Sesame Street and The Muppet Show.
- For decades, Henson's adorably zany cast of Muppet characters has entertained children and adults alike with music, comedy, and life lessons. Kermit served as a crusader for tolerance through his hit song "(It's Not Easy) Being Green."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1970
- user
- Jim Henson Productions
- Children's Television Workshop
- Henson, Jim
- maker
- Henson, Jim
- Jim Henson Productions
- ID Number
- 1994.0037.01
- accession number
- 1994.0037
- catalog number
- 1994.0037.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Charlie McCarthy Puppet
- Description (Brief)
- The dummy Charlie McCarthy was the creation of ventriloquist Edgar Bergen (1903–1978). Bergen first introduced McCarthy to radio audiences on Rudy Vallee’s show in 1936. The act was an instant hit; the following year Bergen and McCarthy began a successful run hosting the popular Chase and Sanborn Hour.
- Date made
- 1922
- maker
- Mack, Theodore
- user
- Bergen, Edgar
- NBC
- CBS
- maker
- Mack, Theodore
- ID Number
- 1980.0273.01
- accession number
- 1980.0273
- catalog number
- 1980.0273.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center