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.

Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band. side 1: Shake It and Break It; side 2: When You and I Where Young, Maggie (Commodore 613), from the album, Original Dixieland Jazz Band (Commodore CR-14).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band. side 1: Shake It and Break It; side 2: When You and I Where Young, Maggie (Commodore 613), from the album, Original Dixieland Jazz Band (Commodore CR-14).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.560
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
613
CR-14
catalog number
1978.0670.560
Eddie Condon and his Band. side 1: You Can't Cheat a Cheater; side 2: Save Your Sorrow (Commodore 605), from the album, Jazz a la Carte (Commodore CR-12).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Eddie Condon and his Band. side 1: You Can't Cheat a Cheater; side 2: Save Your Sorrow (Commodore 605), from the album, Jazz a la Carte (Commodore CR-12).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1943
recording artist
Eddie Condon and his Band
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.535
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
605
CR-12
catalog number
1978.0670.535
Billy Holiday and her Orchestra. side 1: Strange Fruit; side 2: Fine and Mellow (Commodore 526)78 rpmBillie Holiday (1915–1959,) an African American jazz singer nicknamed Lady Day, emerged on the jazz scene after a difficult and impoverished upbringing.
Description (Brief)

Billy Holiday and her Orchestra. side 1: Strange Fruit; side 2: Fine and Mellow (Commodore 526)
78 rpm

Billie Holiday (1915–1959,) an African American jazz singer nicknamed Lady Day, emerged on the jazz scene after a difficult and impoverished upbringing. Known for her light, rhythmic singing, Holiday performed with some of the most famous American jazz musicians throughout the 1930s and 1940s. She first performed “Strange Fruit,” a song written by a Jewish poet about the lynching of African Americans, at the Café Society club in 1939. Her performances of the song were filled with emotion, and the recording reached number 16 on the charts. Holiday went on to release a number of other hits, but “Strange Fruit” remained the best-selling record of her career.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Billie Holiday and her Orchestra
composer
Allan, Lewis
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1996.3034.11383
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.11383
label number
526
Muggsy Spanier and his Ragtimers. side 1: Memphis Blues; side 2: Sweet Sue, Just You (Commodore 1519).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Muggsy Spanier and his Ragtimers. side 1: Memphis Blues; side 2: Sweet Sue, Just You (Commodore 1519).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Muggsy Spanier and his Ragtimers
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.760
maker number
1519
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.760
Billy Holiday and her Orchestra. side 1: Strange Fruit; side 2: Fine and Mellow (Commodore 526)78 rpmBillie Holiday (1915–1959,) an African American jazz singer nicknamed Lady Day, emerged on the jazz scene after a difficult and impoverished upbringing.
Description (Brief)

Billy Holiday and her Orchestra. side 1: Strange Fruit; side 2: Fine and Mellow (Commodore 526)
78 rpm

Billie Holiday (1915–1959,) an African American jazz singer nicknamed Lady Day, emerged on the jazz scene after a difficult and impoverished upbringing. Known for her light, rhythmic singing, Holiday performed with some of the most famous American jazz musicians throughout the 1930s and 1940s. She first performed “Strange Fruit,” a song written by a Jewish poet about the lynching of African Americans, at the Café Society club in 1939. Her performances of the song were filled with emotion, and the recording reached number 16 on the charts. Holiday went on to release a number of other hits, but “Strange Fruit” remained the best-selling record of her career.

recording date
1939
recording artist
Holiday, Billie
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1988.0824.21
accession number
1988.0824
maker number
526
catalog number
1988.0824.21
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band. side 1: Ostrich Walk; side 2: Lazy Daddy (Commodore 612), from the album, Original Dixieland Jazz Band (Commodore CR-14).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band. side 1: Ostrich Walk; side 2: Lazy Daddy (Commodore 612), from the album, Original Dixieland Jazz Band (Commodore CR-14).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.559
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
612
CR-14
catalog number
1978.0670.559
Miff Mole and his Nicksieland Band. side 1: Peg 'O My Heart; side 2: St. Louis Blues (Commodore 1518).78 rpmCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Miff Mole and his Nicksieland Band. side 1: Peg 'O My Heart; side 2: St. Louis Blues (Commodore 1518).
78 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Miff Mole and his Nicksieland Band
maker
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.762
maker number
1518
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.762
A Jam Session At Commodore. side 1: Carnegie Jump; side 2: Carnegie Drag (Commodore1500).78 rpm.Milt(on) Gabler (1911-2001) was an American recorded producer and businessman.
Description (Brief)

A Jam Session At Commodore. side 1: Carnegie Jump; side 2: Carnegie Drag (Commodore1500).
78 rpm.

Milt(on) Gabler (1911-2001) was an American recorded producer and businessman. As a teenager, Gabler started working in his father’s business, the Commodore Radio Corporation in New York. In 1930 the business became the Commodore Music Shop, selling jazz merchandise including records, magazines, and books. Eight years later, Gabler launched the Commodore record label, which released traditional jazz recordings. Gabler organized jam sessions around New York, including neighboring club, Jimmy Ryan’s on 52nd Street. This recording is from one of those jam sessions.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1938
recording artist
Hackett, Bobby
Russell, Pee Wee
Freeman, Bud
Brunies, George
Stacey, Jess
Condon, Eddie
Wettling, George
Shapiro, Artie
Eddie Condon and his Windy City Seven
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.758
maker number
1500
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.758
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band. side 1: Tiger Rag; side 2: Barnyard Blues (Commodore 610), from the album, Original Dixieland Jazz Band (Commodore CR-14).78 rpmCurrently not on view
Description
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band. side 1: Tiger Rag; side 2: Barnyard Blues (Commodore 610), from the album, Original Dixieland Jazz Band (Commodore CR-14).
78 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.557
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
610
CR-14
catalog number
1978.0670.557
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band. side 1: Skeleton Jangle; side 2: Mournin' Blues (Commodore 611), from the album, Original Dixieland Jazz Band (Commodore CR-14).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band. side 1: Skeleton Jangle; side 2: Mournin' Blues (Commodore 611), from the album, Original Dixieland Jazz Band (Commodore CR-14).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.558
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
611
CR-14
catalog number
1978.0670.558
Eddie Condon and his Band. side 1: Rose Room; side 2: Nobody Knows You When You Are Down and Out (Commodore 603), from the album, Jazz a la Carte (Commodore CR-12).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Eddie Condon and his Band. side 1: Rose Room; side 2: Nobody Knows You When You Are Down and Out (Commodore 603), from the album, Jazz a la Carte (Commodore CR-12).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1943
recording artist
Eddie Condon and his Band
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.533
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
603
CR-12
catalog number
1978.0670.533
Eddie Condon and his Band. side 1: Mandy, Make Up Your Mind; side 2: Tell 'Em About Me (Commodore 604), from the album, Jazz a la Carte (Commodore CR-12).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Eddie Condon and his Band. side 1: Mandy, Make Up Your Mind; side 2: Tell 'Em About Me (Commodore 604), from the album, Jazz a la Carte (Commodore CR-12).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1943
recording artist
Eddie Condon and his Band
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.534
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
604
CR-12
catalog number
1978.0670.534
The Three Deuces [Joe Sullivan, Pee Wee Russell, Zutty Singleton]. side 1: The Last Time I Saw Chicago; side 2: Deuces Wild (Commodore 537).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Three Deuces [Joe Sullivan, Pee Wee Russell, Zutty Singleton]. side 1: The Last Time I Saw Chicago; side 2: Deuces Wild (Commodore 537).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
recording artist
Three Deuces
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
2014.0105.83
catalog number
2014.0105.83
maker number
537
accession number
2014.0105
Jelly Roll Morton's Hot Seven. side 1: Panama; side 2: Sweet Substitue (Commodore 631).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Jelly Roll Morton's Hot Seven. side 1: Panama; side 2: Sweet Substitue (Commodore 631).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
Jelly Roll Morton Seven
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
2014.0105.74
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.74
maker number
631
Billie Holiday with Eddie Heywood and his Orchestra. side 1: I'm Yours; side 2: My Old Flame (Commodore 585).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Billie Holiday with Eddie Heywood and his Orchestra. side 1: I'm Yours; side 2: My Old Flame (Commodore 585).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Holiday, Billie
Eddie Heywood and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
2014.0105.36
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.36
maker number
585
Jelly Roll Morton's Hot Seven. side 1: Swinging the Elks; side 2: Dirty, Dirty, Dirty (Commodore 633).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Jelly Roll Morton's Hot Seven. side 1: Swinging the Elks; side 2: Dirty, Dirty, Dirty (Commodore 633).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
2014.0105.58
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.58
maker number
633
Jelly Roll Morton's Hot Seven. side 1: Big Lip Blues; side 2: Good Old New York (Commodore 632).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Jelly Roll Morton's Hot Seven. side 1: Big Lip Blues; side 2: Good Old New York (Commodore 632).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
2014.0105.57
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.57
maker number
632
Pee Wee Russell's Hot Four. side 1: Rose of Washington Square; side 2: Keepin' Out of Mischief Now (Commodore 627).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Pee Wee Russell's Hot Four. side 1: Rose of Washington Square; side 2: Keepin' Out of Mischief Now (Commodore 627).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Pee Wee Russell's Hot Four
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
2014.0105.75
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.75
maker number
627
Eddie Condon and his Band. side 1: It's Right Here For You; side 2: Strut Miss Lizzie (Commodore 530).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Eddie Condon and his Band. side 1: It's Right Here For You; side 2: Strut Miss Lizzie (Commodore 530).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Eddie Condon and his Band
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.166
maker number
530
accession number
1978.0670
George Brunis and his Jazz Band. side 1: Sweet Lovin' Man; side 2: Wang Wang Blues (Commodore 608).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
George Brunis and his Jazz Band. side 1: Sweet Lovin' Man; side 2: Wang Wang Blues (Commodore 608).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
George Brunies and his Jazz Band
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.175
maker number
608
accession number
1978.0670
deParis Brothers Orchestra. side 1: Change O' Key Boogie; side 2: The Sheik of Araby (Commodore 567).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
deParis Brothers Orchestra. side 1: Change O' Key Boogie; side 2: The Sheik of Araby (Commodore 567).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Deparis Brothers Orchestra
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.171
maker number
567
accession number
1978.0670
Max Kaminsky and his Jazz Band. side 1: Love Nest; side 2: Everybody Loves My Baby (Commodore 595).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Max Kaminsky and his Jazz Band. side 1: Love Nest; side 2: Everybody Loves My Baby (Commodore 595).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Max Kaminsky and his Jazz Band
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.183
maker number
595
accession number
1978.0670
Muggsy Spanier and his Ragtimers. side 1: Snag It; side 2: Angry (Commodore 616).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Muggsy Spanier and his Ragtimers. side 1: Snag It; side 2: Angry (Commodore 616).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Muggsy Spanier and his Ragtimers
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.179
catalog number
1978.0670.179
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
616
Muggsy Spanier and his Ragtimers. side 1: Darktown Strutter's Ball; side 2: Sobbin' Blues (Commodore 621).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Muggsy Spanier and his Ragtimers. side 1: Darktown Strutter's Ball; side 2: Sobbin' Blues (Commodore 621).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Muggsy Spanier and his Ragtimers
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.178
maker number
621
accession number
1978.0670

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