Popular Entertainment

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.

Black polyester and cotton jacket with red polyester lining. Size Medium. With white piped trim at shoulders. Knit cuffs, neck and waist. Zipper front. 2 open front pockets and one zipped sleeve pocket.
Description (Brief)

Black polyester and cotton jacket with red polyester lining. Size Medium. With white piped trim at shoulders. Knit cuffs, neck and waist. Zipper front. 2 open front pockets and one zipped sleeve pocket. Hot pink and white thread lettering on front left side and back and red and green rose on back. The front of the jacket is embroidered:

Willie

(applied on the back of the jacket):

Willie
and Family
on the Road Again

Inspired by Live Aid, the international benefit concert for Ethiopian famine victims, Willie Nelson and other singers established Farm Aid in 1985 to support family farmers in the United States.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980
user
Nelson, Willie
ID Number
1983.0551.01
accession number
1983.0551
catalog number
1983.0551.01
This button is from the Queen Mary Jazz Festival in Long Beach, California, in 1980. It is made of white paper with red ink covered with a clear film, on a two-piece metal button with a pin back.
Description

This button is from the Queen Mary Jazz Festival in Long Beach, California, in 1980. It is made of white paper with red ink covered with a clear film, on a two-piece metal button with a pin back. The button is printed:

UNITED JAZZ CLUBS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
1980
5TH ANNUAL
QUEEN [crown] MARY
JAZZ FESTIVAL
SUN. NOV.30, 1980
TO
HELP
OURKIDS!
$7.50
DONATION
VARIETY CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TENT 25

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.005
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.005
Jack Simmons and the Kramdenettes. I Want a Wife Like Alice Kramden (Home By Dawn HD-001)33-1/3 rpmCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Jack Simmons and the Kramdenettes. I Want a Wife Like Alice Kramden (Home By Dawn HD-001)
33-1/3 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
ID Number
1989.0372.01
catalog number
1989.0372.01
accession number
1989.0372
maker number
HD-001
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1984
ID Number
2005.3021.060
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.060
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
ID Number
2016.0032.080
accession number
2016.0032
catalog number
2016.0032.080
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.
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
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.034
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.034
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1985
ID Number
2005.3021.064
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.064
Phyllis Diller wore this costume on Circus of the Stars in 1983. The costume consists of a hot pink dress with lime green polka dots, lime green bloomers, a hot pink headband, a handbag with a metal insert designed to hold fish, and two pairs of pantyhose.
Description

Phyllis Diller wore this costume on Circus of the Stars in 1983. The costume consists of a hot pink dress with lime green polka dots, lime green bloomers, a hot pink headband, a handbag with a metal insert designed to hold fish, and two pairs of pantyhose. Diller also wore a lime green clown wig with the costume. During the 8th Circus of the Stars Phyllis Diller performed at Sea World with Clyde the seal and a 3,000 pound walrus named Schmedley.

Airing between 1977 and 1994, Circus of the Stars was an annual CBS television special that showcased celebrities performing circus acts. Phyllis Diller appeared on 3 episodes of the program—in 1983, 1985, and 1994. NMAH also has the costume she wore for Circus of the Stars Goes to Disneyland in 1994 (Catalog Number 2003.0289.07).

date made
ca 1983
wearer
Diller, Phyllis
ID Number
COLL.DILLER.000003
accession number
2003.0289
catalog number
2003.0289.06.01
2003.0289.06.02
2003.0289.06.03
2003.0289.06.04
2003.0289.06.05
2003.0289.06.06
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1982
ID Number
2005.3021.052
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.052
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1981
ID Number
2005.3021.050
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.050
This sheet music is for the song “Still in Saigon,” with words and music by Dan Daley. It was published by Dreens Music and Dan Daley Music in New York, New York in 1981.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Still in Saigon,” with words and music by Dan Daley. It was published by Dreens Music and Dan Daley Music in New York, New York in 1981. The cover features an image of The Charlie Daniels Band, who recorded this song for their Epic Record album Windows released in 1982.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1981
depicted (sitter)
Charlie Daniels Band
publisher
Dreena Music
Dan Daley Music
ID Number
1985.0808.11
accession number
1985.0808
catalog number
1985.0808.11
This award was presented to Ramon "Mongo" Santamaría by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), in 1980. It is comprised of a gold toned record, miniature album cover, and engraved metal plate in a gold frame with plexiglass.
Description (Brief)

This award was presented to Ramon "Mongo" Santamaría by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), in 1980. It is comprised of a gold toned record, miniature album cover, and engraved metal plate in a gold frame with plexiglass. The metal plate is engraved:

PRESENTED TO
MONGO SANTAMARIA
TO COMMEMORATE THE SALES OF MORE THAN
500,000 COPIES OF THE
COLUMBIA / TAPPAN ZEE RECORDS
LONG PLAYING RECORD ALBUM
”TOUCHDOWN”
CERTIFIED RIAA SALES AWARD

This RIAA gold record was presented to Mongo Santamaría for his work on the album by Bob James, Touchdown, released in 1978.

Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría Rodríguez (1917–2003) was a Cuban percussionist and bandleader who spent most of his career in the United States. Primarily a conga drummer, Santamaría was a leading figure in the pachanga and boogaloo dance crazes of the 1960s. From the 1970s, he recorded mainly salsa and Latin jazz, before retiring in the late 1990s. Santamaria made several recordings as a leader of his own group, as well as a sideman with Fania All-Stars, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ray Charles.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980
referenced
Santamaria, Ramon "Mongo"
ID Number
2005.0030.11
accession number
2005.0030
catalog number
2005.0030.11
This harmonica box was made by Hohner in Germany, in 1982. It is a box for a 125 Years Harmonica model. It is made of plastic. The box is stamped:125YEARSHOHNERCurrently not on view
Description

This harmonica box was made by Hohner in Germany, in 1982. It is a box for a 125 Years Harmonica model. It is made of plastic. The box is stamped:

125
YEARS
HOHNER

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1982
maker
Hohner
ID Number
1988.0783.644
catalog number
1988.0783.644
accession number
1988.0783
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985
recording artist
Newton-John, Olivia
manufacturer
MCA
ID Number
1996.3034.05603
catalog number
1996.3034.05603
label number
MCA-52686
nonaccession number
1996.3034
Frank Sinatra Songbook published by Warner Bros. Publications Inc. in New York, New York, in 1989.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Frank Sinatra Songbook published by Warner Bros. Publications Inc. in New York, New York, in 1989.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1989
depicted (sitter)
Sinatra, Frank
maker
Warner Bros. Publications Inc.
ID Number
2015.0215.1240
accession number
2015.0215
catalog number
2015.0215.1240
Diana Ross. side 1: Chain Reaction; side 2: More and More (RCA PB-14244)45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Diana Ross. side 1: Chain Reaction; side 2: More and More (RCA PB-14244)
45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985
recording artist
Ross, Diana
manufacturer
RCA
ID Number
1996.3034.06758
catalog number
1996.3034.06758
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
PB-14244
The Reivers. side 1: In Your Eyes; side 2: In Your Eyes (Capitol B-44091)45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
The Reivers. side 1: In Your Eyes; side 2: In Your Eyes (Capitol B-44091)
45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1987
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.3034.06434
label number
B-44091
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.06434
This harmonica was made by Hohner in Germany, about 1984. It is a Pocket Pal model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. This harmonica has a black comb with metal cover plates attached to the top and bottom with screws and nuts.
Description

This harmonica was made by Hohner in Germany, about 1984. It is a Pocket Pal model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. This harmonica has a black comb with metal cover plates attached to the top and bottom with screws and nuts. The harmonica is in a red mesh bag with a cassette tape, tied to a book "Country and Blues Harmonica for the Musically Hopeless" by Jon Gindick, illustrated by Barry Geller, and published by Klutz Press, Palo Alto, California, 1984. The harmonica is engraved:

POCKET PAL

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1984
maker
Hohner
ID Number
1988.0783.438
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.438
Lisa Rhodes. side 1: Heat It Up; side 2: Born Rich (Spindletop SPT 113)45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Lisa Rhodes. side 1: Heat It Up; side 2: Born Rich (Spindletop SPT 113)
45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985
ID Number
1996.3034.06472
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.06472
label number
SPT 113
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
recording artist
Steve Miller Band
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.3034.05323
label number
B-5704
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.05323
This button is from the Los Angeles Classic Jazz Festival, in 1985. The button is a made of yellow paper with black and red lettering covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back.
Description

This button is from the Los Angeles Classic Jazz Festival, in 1985. The button is a made of yellow paper with black and red lettering covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back. The button is printed:

LOS ANGELES
CLASSIC
JAZZ
FESTIVAL
1985

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.010
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.010
This award was presented to radio station WANN (1190 AM) by the Chesapeake Broadcasters' Association, in 1989. It is a brown-stained rectangular wood plaque with a brass and black plastic engraved plate.
Description (Brief)

This award was presented to radio station WANN (1190 AM) by the Chesapeake Broadcasters' Association, in 1989. It is a brown-stained rectangular wood plaque with a brass and black plastic engraved plate. The plate is marked:

CHESAPEAKE
BROADCASTERS' ASSOCIATION
AWARD
FOR
OUTSTANDING COOPERATION
TO
WANN
1989

WANN (1190 AM) was a radio station based out of Annapolis, Maryland that primarily served the area's growing African American community. Morris Blum founded it in 1946, and it broadcast to the entire mid-Atlantic region. The station was home to disc jockey Charles "Hoppy" Adams starting in the early 1950s. Adams hosted weekly events at a local African American only beach, Carr's Beach, which were popular with the area's youth population.

WANN continued to program gospel, rhythm and blues, and public affairs features until 1992 when the station changed to a mainstream country format with the catchphrase “Bay Country 1190.” Around 1998, the station changed ownership and became WBIS, broadcasting a News Talk Information format.

Location
Currently not on view
presentation date
1989
manufacturer
HonorAwardPlaque
ID Number
2002.0319.03
accession number
2002.0319
catalog number
2002.0319.03
This yellow plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1985. It has a beige screw-on plastic cup lid with handle, and a screw-on plastic stopper with a yellow hinged pouring spout.
Description (Brief)
This yellow plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1985. It has a beige screw-on plastic cup lid with handle, and a screw-on plastic stopper with a yellow hinged pouring spout. The thermos features is a colorful cartoon image of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Woodstock of the Peanuts comic strip on the front.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1985
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.02.02
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.02.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1980
ID Number
2005.3021.039
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.039

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.