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.

Paul Revere and The Raiders. side 1: The Great Airplane Strike; side 2: In My Community (Columbia 4-43810)45 rpm. Accessioned with original printedsleeve.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Paul Revere and The Raiders. side 1: The Great Airplane Strike; side 2: In My Community (Columbia 4-43810)
45 rpm. Accessioned with original printedsleeve.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966
recording artist
Paul Revere and The Raiders
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.3034.06452
catalog number
1996.3034.06452
label number
4-43810
nonaccession number
1996.3034
Frank and James McCravy. side 1: The Dollar and the Devil; side 2: The Great Judgment Morning (Columbia 15544-D).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Frank and James McCravy. side 1: The Dollar and the Devil; side 2: The Great Judgment Morning (Columbia 15544-D).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1930
recording artist
McCravy, James
McCravy, Frank
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.20844
catalog number
1996.0320.20844
accession number
1996.0320
label number
15544-D
Herb Cook. side 1: I Wonder Why; side 2: Just a Little Happiness (Columbia 15778-D).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Herb Cook. side 1: I Wonder Why; side 2: Just a Little Happiness (Columbia 15778-D).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1931
recording artist
Cook, Herb
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.13828
collector/donor number
10137
maker number
15778-D
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.13828
Bush Brothers. side 1: I'll Make It My Home; side 2: A Look Inside the Glory Gate (Columbia 15649-D).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Bush Brothers. side 1: I'll Make It My Home; side 2: A Look Inside the Glory Gate (Columbia 15649-D).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1930
recording artist
Bush Brothers
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.12592
collector/donor number
3108
maker number
15649-D
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.12592
Charles Brooks. side 1: Baby; side 2: My Mammy's Cabin (Columbia 15733-D).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Charles Brooks. side 1: Baby; side 2: My Mammy's Cabin (Columbia 15733-D).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1931
recording artist
Brooks, Charles
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.12273
collector/donor number
8788
maker number
15733-D
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.12273
Ganus Brothers Quartet. side 1: Have a Sunny Smile; side 2: Rejoice In God (Columbia 15390-D).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Ganus Brothers Quartet. side 1: Have a Sunny Smile; side 2: Rejoice In God (Columbia 15390-D).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1928
recording artist
Ganus Brothers Quartette
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.16517
label number
15390-D
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.16517
Bush Brothers. side 1: Keep Your Light Shining; side 2: The Pathway (Columbia 15524-D).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Bush Brothers. side 1: Keep Your Light Shining; side 2: The Pathway (Columbia 15524-D).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1929
recording artist
Bush Brothers
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.12594
collector/donor number
9149
maker number
15524-D
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.12594
The Deal Family. side 1: The Home Coming Week; side 2: Where Shall I Be (Columbia 15670-D).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Deal Family. side 1: The Home Coming Week; side 2: Where Shall I Be (Columbia 15670-D).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1929
recording artist
Deal Family
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.15145
collector/donor number
10599
maker number
15670-D
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.15145
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: Drop Me Off at Harlem; side 2: Merry-Go-Round (Columbia 35837), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Duke Ellington (Columbia C-38).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1933 and released on Brunswick 6527.
Description
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: Drop Me Off at Harlem; side 2: Merry-Go-Round (Columbia 35837), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Duke Ellington (Columbia C-38).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1933 and released on Brunswick 6527. Side 2 was dubbed from the original 1933 recording. The album was released in 1940.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1933
release date
1940
recording artist
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.490
maker number
35837
C-38
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.490
The Muppets. The Frog Prince (Columbia CC23530)33-1/3 rpmCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
The Muppets. The Frog Prince (Columbia CC23530)
33-1/3 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1971
performer
Henson, Jim
maker
Columbia
ID Number
2005.0298.04
accession number
2005.0298
maker number
CC23530
catalog number
2005.0298.04
Teddy Wilson. side 1: I Can't Get Started; side 2: I Know That You Know (Columbia 36633), from the album, Teddy Willson and His Piano (Columbia C-93).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1941. This album was released in 1942.Currently not on view
Description
Teddy Wilson. side 1: I Can't Get Started; side 2: I Know That You Know (Columbia 36633), from the album, Teddy Willson and His Piano (Columbia C-93).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1941. This album was released in 1942.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
release date
1942
recording artist
Wilson, Teddy
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.511
maker number
36633
C-93
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.511
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: More Than You Know; side 2: Superman (Columbia 55002).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: More Than You Know; side 2: Superman (Columbia 55002).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1981.0566.199
maker number
55002
accession number
1981.0566
catalog number
1981.0566.199
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: More Than You Know; side 2: Superman (Columbia 55002).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: More Than You Know; side 2: Superman (Columbia 55002).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
Bryan, Mike
Bernstein, Arthur
Yaeger, Harry
Goodman, Benny
Williams, Cootie
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
Forest, Helen
Martin, Skippy
Bivona, Gus
Snyder, Bob
Henderson, Jack
Auld, George
Fila, Alec
Maxwell, Jimmy
Goodman, Irving
McGarity, Lou
Cutshall, Bob
Layton, Bernie
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1988.0698.2484
catalog number
1988.0698.2484
accession number
1988.0698
maker number
55002
collector/donor number
12-29
Gene Autry. side 1: Mexicali Rose; side 2: South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) (Columbia 37185), from the album, Gene Autry's Western Classics (Columbia C 120).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Gene Autry. side 1: Mexicali Rose; side 2: South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) (Columbia 37185), from the album, Gene Autry's Western Classics (Columbia C 120).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
release date
1947
recording artist
Autry, Gene
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.05057
maker number
37185
C 120
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05057
Paul Robeson. side 1: The Purest Kind of a Guy; side 2: Joe Hil (Columbia 17357-D), from the album. Songs of Free Men (Columbia M-534).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1942. This album was released in 1943.The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss.
Description (Brief)

Paul Robeson. side 1: The Purest Kind of a Guy; side 2: Joe Hil (Columbia 17357-D), from the album. Songs of Free Men (Columbia M-534).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1942. This album was released in 1943.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
release date
1943
recording artist
Robeson, Paul
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1988.0824.25
accession number
1988.0824
maker number
M-534
catalog number
1988.0824.25
maker number
17357-D
Frankie Carle. side 1: Stumbling; side 2: Estelle (Columbbia 35571), from the album, At the Piano...Frankie Carle (Columbia C-23).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer.
Description

Frankie Carle. side 1: Stumbling; side 2: Estelle (Columbbia 35571), from the album, At the Piano...Frankie Carle (Columbia C-23).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
Carle, Frankie
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1979.1023.094
maker number
35571
C-23
accession number
1979.1023
catalog number
1979.1023.094
Teddy Wilson and his Orchestra featuring Billie Holiday. side 1: Easy Living; side 2: When You're Smiling (Columbia 36208), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Teddy WIlson-Billie Holiday (Columbia C-61).78 rpm.
Description

Teddy Wilson and his Orchestra featuring Billie Holiday. side 1: Easy Living; side 2: When You're Smiling (Columbia 36208), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Teddy WIlson-Billie Holiday (Columbia C-61).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1937 and released on Brunswick 7911. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1938 (second master). This album was released in 1947.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
1938
release date
1947
recording artist
Holiday, Billie
Teddy Wilson and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.499
maker number
C-61
36208
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.499
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Gotta Be This Or That [part 1]; side 2: Gotta Be This Or That [part 2] (Columbia 36813).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Gotta Be This Or That [part 1]; side 2: Gotta Be This Or That [part 2] (Columbia 36813).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.131
maker number
36813
accession number
1978.0670
Kid Ory and his Creole Jazz Band. side 1: Bill Bailey Won't You Come Home; side 2: Creole Bo Bo (Columbia 37276), from the album, New Orleans Jazz (Columbia C-126).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1946.
Description

Kid Ory and his Creole Jazz Band. side 1: Bill Bailey Won't You Come Home; side 2: Creole Bo Bo (Columbia 37276), from the album, New Orleans Jazz (Columbia C-126).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1946. The album was released in 1947.

Jim (James) Flora (1914-1998) created the cover art for this album. Flora was a successful commercial illustrator during the 1940s-1970s as well as an author and illustrator for children’s books. He was best known for his unique and quirky album cover art for RCA Victor and Columbia during the 1940s and 1950s. Flora created numerous paintings, drawings, etchings and sketches throughout his prolific career.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
release date
1947
recording artist
Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.519
maker number
37276
C-126
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.519
Count Basie and his All American Rhythm Section. side 1: Farewell Blues; side 2: Way Back Blues (Columbia 36712), from the album, Blues By Basie (Columbia C-101).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1942.
Description

Count Basie and his All American Rhythm Section. side 1: Farewell Blues; side 2: Way Back Blues (Columbia 36712), from the album, Blues By Basie (Columbia C-101).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1942. This album was released in 1944.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
release date
1944
recording artist
Count Basie and his All American Rhythm Section
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.508
maker number
36712
C-101
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.508
Golden Gate Quartet. side 1: God's Gonna Cut You Down; side 2: Jezebel (Columbia 37835), from the album, Golden Gate Spirituals (Columbia C 45).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1946. Side 2 was recorded in 1941.
Description

Golden Gate Quartet. side 1: God's Gonna Cut You Down; side 2: Jezebel (Columbia 37835), from the album, Golden Gate Spirituals (Columbia C 45).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1946. Side 2 was recorded in 1941. This album was released in 1947.

The cover art for this album was made by Robert M. Jones (1913-1993) an American graphic designer and printmaker. Jones worked as art director for Columbia Records from 1945-1953, then for RCA Victor and affiliated labels.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
1941
release date
1947
recording artist
Golden Gate Quartet
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.05114
maker number
C-145
37835
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05114
Burl Ives. side 1: Darlin' Cory; side 2: Leather-Winged Bat [track 1] Cotten-Eyed Joe [track 2] (Columbia 36736), from the album, The Wayfaring Stranger (Columbia C 103).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1941.
Description

Burl Ives. side 1: Darlin' Cory; side 2: Leather-Winged Bat [track 1] Cotten-Eyed Joe [track 2] (Columbia 36736), from the album, The Wayfaring Stranger (Columbia C 103).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1941. This album was released in 1944.

Jim (James) Flora (1914-1998) created the cover art for this album. Flora was a successful commercial illustrator during the 1940s-1970s as well as an author and illustrator for children’s books. He was best known for his unique and quirky album cover art for RCA Victor and Columbia during the 1940s and 1950s. Flora created numerous paintings, drawings, etchings, and sketches throughout his prolific career.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
release date
1944
recording artist
Ives, Burl
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.05150
maker number
36736
C 103
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05150
James Clark. side 1: Get Ready To Meet Your Man; side 2: Love Me or Let Me Be (Columbia 36948).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
James Clark. side 1: Get Ready To Meet Your Man; side 2: Love Me or Let Me Be (Columbia 36948).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
recording artist
Clark, James
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0153.08730
catalog number
1996.0153.08730
label number
36948
accession number
1996.0153
Earl Hines. side 1: 57 Varieties; side 2: I Ain't Got Nobody (Columbia 35875), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Earl Hines (Columbia C-41).78 rpm. Both tracks were originally recorded in 1928 and released on Okeh 8653.
Description

Earl Hines. side 1: 57 Varieties; side 2: I Ain't Got Nobody (Columbia 35875), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Earl Hines (Columbia C-41).
78 rpm. Both tracks were originally recorded in 1928 and released on Okeh 8653. This album was released in 1944.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1928
release date
1944
recording artist
Hines, Earl
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.495
maker number
35875
C-41
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.495

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