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.

Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys. side 1: Get All My Lovin' on a Saturday Night; side 2: Bittersweet (Modern 216).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys. side 1: Get All My Lovin' on a Saturday Night; side 2: Bittersweet (Modern 216).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Ben Pollack and His Pick-a-Rib Boys
manufacturer
Modern
ID Number
2014.0105.70
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.70
maker number
216
This leather-bound script is from the first episode of Phyllis Diller’s television show The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show which was taped on July 16, 1968 and aired on September 15, 1968.
Description
This leather-bound script is from the first episode of Phyllis Diller’s television show The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show which was taped on July 16, 1968 and aired on September 15, 1968. The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show aired on Sunday nights on NBC from September to December 1968. The show was a variety show where Diller participated in everything from the opening monologue to comedy sketches to musical numbers. Guests on the show included Ray Charles, Sonny & Cher, and Zsa Zsa Gabor, among others. In a similar fashion to Diller’s first show, The Pruitts of Southampton, Diller was unhappy with how the show was run as well as with her place in the operations, and it never managed to find success.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1968-07-14
associated institution
California Bookbinding Company
producer
NBC
maker
Diller, Phyllis
ID Number
2003.0289.38
accession number
2003.0289
catalog number
2003.0289.38
This sheet music for the song "My Great, Great, Grandfather" was written by Edna Fischer and Al Garman, and published by Tele-Mus Publishing, Co., Inc., in Hollywood, California, in 1942. On the cover there is an image of actors J.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music for the song "My Great, Great, Grandfather" was written by Edna Fischer and Al Garman, and published by Tele-Mus Publishing, Co., Inc., in Hollywood, California, in 1942. On the cover there is an image of actors J. Anthony Smythe and Minetta Ellen from the radio soap opera One Man's Family. This song was featured in the radio program. One Man's Family, created by Carlton E. Morse, and was on air from 1932 to 1959.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1942
ID Number
2016.0093.01
accession number
2016.0093
catalog number
2016.0093.01
Sixteen-year-old Judy Garland wore these sequined shoes as Dorothy Gale in the 1939 MGM musical film The Wizard of Oz. In the original book by L.
Description
Sixteen-year-old Judy Garland wore these sequined shoes as Dorothy Gale in the 1939 MGM musical film The Wizard of Oz. In the original book by L. Frank Baum, Dorothy's magic slippers are silver; for the Technicolor movie, costumers created ruby red shoes to show up more vividly against the yellow-brick road. One of several pairs used during filming, these size-five shoes are well-worn, suggesting they were Garland's primary pair for dance sequences.
Date made
1939
wearer
Garland, Judy
designer
Adrian
maker
Adrian
ID Number
1979.1230.01
accession number
1979.1230
catalog number
1979.1230.01
This button is from Jazz at the Plaza festival in Los Angeles, California. It is a diamond-shaped button made of paper with a white background and pink printing covered with a clear film, on a two-piece metal button with a pin back.
Description

This button is from Jazz at the Plaza festival in Los Angeles, California. It is a diamond-shaped button made of paper with a white background and pink printing covered with a clear film, on a two-piece metal button with a pin back. The button is printed:

BALDWIN HILLS
CRENSHAW PLAZA
MUSEUM OF AFRICAN
AMERICAN ART
Jazz
at the
Plaza
Coors

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
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.148
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.148
George Lewis' Ragtime Band. George Lewis' Ragtome Band (Jazz Man LP1).33-1/3 rpm.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz.
Description (Brief)

George Lewis' Ragtime Band. George Lewis' Ragtome Band (Jazz Man LP1).
33-1/3 rpm.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1953
recording artist
George Lewis' Ragtime Band
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.707
maker number
LP1
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.707
Staff prop used by Felicia Day in the role of Codex in the music video for the song Do You Wanna Date My Avatar and in the web series The Guild.
Description (Brief)
Staff prop used by Felicia Day in the role of Codex in the music video for the song Do You Wanna Date My Avatar and in the web series The Guild. The staff, designed and built by Greg Aronowitz, is a white rod decorated with a red and gold fixture at its base, a grip, and surmounted by a green orb and red and gold wings.
The music video was released in 2009 to promote Day's web series The Guild. The song's lyrics were written by Day and music was written by Jed Whedon, who also directed the video. The music video became a hit on YouTube, garnering a million views in its first two days on the platform and nearly 30 million within a decade.
date made
2009
user
Day, Felicia
maker
Aronowitz, Greg
ID Number
2017.0227.01
accession number
2017.0227
catalog number
2017.0227.01
Laurindo Almeida. Guitar From Ipanema (Capitol T-2197).33-1/3 rpmCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Laurindo Almeida. Guitar From Ipanema (Capitol T-2197).
33-1/3 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1964
recording artist
Almeida, Laurindo
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.802
maker number
T-2197
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.802
Wardell Gray and Vido Musso.
Description (Brief)

Wardell Gray and Vido Musso. side 1: Sweet Georgia Bop; side 2: Sweet Georgia Brown (Modern 20-611).
78 rpm.

This pressing is from a live recording in the Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, California in 1947 of a Just Jazz concert presented by American impresario, Gene Norman.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
associated person
Gray, Wardell
Musso, Vido
manufacturer
Modern
ID Number
1978.0670.332
maker number
20-611
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.332
The King Cole Trio. side 1: Sweet Lorraine; side 2: Embraceable You (Capitol 20009), from the album, Capitol presents: The King Cole Trio (Capitol BD-8).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1943. The album was released in 1944.Currently not on view
Description
The King Cole Trio. side 1: Sweet Lorraine; side 2: Embraceable You (Capitol 20009), from the album, Capitol presents: The King Cole Trio (Capitol BD-8).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1943. The album was released in 1944.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1943
recording artist
King Cole Trio
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.447
maker number
20009
BD-8
catalog number
1978.0670.447
accession number
1978.0670
Henry Horenstein photographed Ricky Skaggs (b. 1954) several times as a member of Emmylou Harris's Hot Band and as a memeber of J. D. Crowe & the New South.
Description
Henry Horenstein photographed Ricky Skaggs (b. 1954) several times as a member of Emmylou Harris's Hot Band and as a memeber of J. D. Crowe & the New South. A multi-talented singer and instrumentalist, Ricky Skaggs's success helped inspire the new traditionalist movement, and was largely responsible for a back-to-basics movement in country music.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1980
print
2003
depicted (sitter)
Skaggs, Ricky
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.020
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.020
Art Tatum. side 1: Hallelujah!; side 2: Memories of You (American Recording Artists 4501), from the album, Piano Impressions (American Recording Artists A-1).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by American illustrator Gene Widhoff (1907-1972).
Description

Art Tatum. side 1: Hallelujah!; side 2: Memories of You (American Recording Artists 4501), from the album, Piano Impressions (American Recording Artists A-1).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by American illustrator Gene Widhoff (1907-1972). Widhoff began his career as a staff artist for RKO Pictures where he created images for movie posters and theater lobby cards. He created album covers for the American Recording Artists (ARA) label. Later in his career, Widhoff worked as staff artist for NBC. Widoff received an Emmy for “Outstanding Achievement in Creative Technical Craft” in 1971.

Location
Currently not on view
release date
1945
recording artist
Tatum, Art
manufacturer
American Recording Artists
ID Number
1981.0656.521
maker number
4501
A-1
accession number
1981.0656
catalog number
1981.0656.521
Charlie Shavers, Stan Getz, Willie Smith, Red Norvo, "Nature Boy," Oscar Moore, Johnny Miller, and Louie Bellson.
Description

Charlie Shavers, Stan Getz, Willie Smith, Red Norvo, "Nature Boy," Oscar Moore, Johnny Miller, and Louie Bellson. side 1: Body and Soul [part 1]; side 2: Body and Soul [part 2] (Modern 20-695).
78 rpm

This pressing is from a live recording in the Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, California on June 23, 1947 of a Just Jazz concert by American impresario, Gene Norman.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Shavers, Charlie
Getz, Stan
Smith, Willie
Norvo, Red
Nature Boy
Moore, Oscar
Miller, Johnny
Bellson, Louis
manufacturer
Modern
ID Number
2014.0105.87
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.87
20-695
Dottie O'Brien and The Savannah Seven. side 1: The Laziest Gal in Town; side 2: Big Butter and Egg Man (Capitol 1005).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Dottie O'Brien and The Savannah Seven. side 1: The Laziest Gal in Town; side 2: Big Butter and Egg Man (Capitol 1005).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording artist
Dottie O'Brien and The Savannah Seven
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.100
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
1005
catalog number
1978.0670.100
Alexander's Jazz Band. side 1: I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None Of My Jellyroll; side 2: Melancholy (Triton 243).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Alexander's Jazz Band. side 1: I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None Of My Jellyroll; side 2: Melancholy (Triton 243).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Alexander's Jazz Band
manufacturer
Trilon
ID Number
2014.0105.01
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.01
maker number
243
Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra. side 1: San; side 2: Wang Wang Blues (Capitol 10026), from the album, The History of Jazz Vol. 2 - The Golden Era (Capitol CE-17).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra. side 1: San; side 2: Wang Wang Blues (Capitol 10026), from the album, The History of Jazz Vol. 2 - The Golden Era (Capitol CE-17).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
recording artist
Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.086
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
10026
catalog number
1978.0670.086
maker number
CE-17
side 1: Johnny Mercer, Peggy Lee, Benny Goodman, Margaret Whiting, and The Pied Pipers with Paul Weston and his Orchestra. The Freedom Trail; side 2: Margaret Whiting and The Pied Pipers. God Bless America (Capitol 15003).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
side 1: Johnny Mercer, Peggy Lee, Benny Goodman, Margaret Whiting, and The Pied Pipers with Paul Weston and his Orchestra. The Freedom Trail; side 2: Margaret Whiting and The Pied Pipers. God Bless America (Capitol 15003).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Mercer, Johnny
Lee, Peggy
Goodman, Benny
Whiting, Margaret
Pied Pipers
Paul Weston and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1981.0656.119
accession number
1981.0656
maker number
15003
catalog number
1981.0656.119
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Cripple Creek; side 2: Sally Goodin' (Capitol 20099), from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Cripple Creek; side 2: Sally Goodin' (Capitol 20099), from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Stone, Cliffie
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05298
maker number
BD 44
20099
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05298
Firehouse Five plus Two. side 1: Show Me the Way to the Fire; side 2: San Antonio Rose (Good Time Jazz 46).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Firehouse Five plus Two. side 1: Show Me the Way to the Fire; side 2: San Antonio Rose (Good Time Jazz 46).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1952
recording artist
Firehouse Five Plus Two
manufacturer
Good Time Jazz
ID Number
2014.0105.33
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.33
maker number
46
Turk Murphy's Jazz Band. side 1: Storyville Blues; side 2: Ory's Creole Trombone (Good Time Jazz 32).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Turk Murphy's Jazz Band. side 1: Storyville Blues; side 2: Ory's Creole Trombone (Good Time Jazz 32).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950
recording artist
Turk Murphy's Jazz Band
manufacturer
Good Time Jazz
ID Number
2014.0105.61
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.61
maker number
32
William Boyd. side 1: Hopalong Cassidy and the Square Dance Holdup; side 4: Hopalong Cssidy and the Square Dance Holdup (Capitol 32014), from the album, Hopalong Cassidy and the Square Dance Holdup (Capitol CBX 3075).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
William Boyd. side 1: Hopalong Cassidy and the Square Dance Holdup; side 4: Hopalong Cssidy and the Square Dance Holdup (Capitol 32014), from the album, Hopalong Cassidy and the Square Dance Holdup (Capitol CBX 3075).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording artist
Boyd, William
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05122
maker number
32014
CBX 3075
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05122
Wardell Gray and Vido Musso. side 1: Sweet Georgia Bop; side 2: Sweet Georgia Brown (Modern 20-611).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Wardell Gray and Vido Musso. side 1: Sweet Georgia Bop; side 2: Sweet Georgia Brown (Modern 20-611).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947-1948
recording artist
Gray, Wardell
Musso, Vido
manufacturer
Modern
ID Number
2014.0105.35
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.35
maker number
20-611
Howard McGhee, Lucky Thompson, Jack McVea, Irving Ashby, Jimmy Bunn, and Red Callender. side 1: Oodie Coo Bop [part 1]; side 2: Ooodie Coo Bop [part 2] (Black & White 150).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Howard McGhee, Lucky Thompson, Jack McVea, Irving Ashby, Jimmy Bunn, and Red Callender. side 1: Oodie Coo Bop [part 1]; side 2: Ooodie Coo Bop [part 2] (Black & White 150).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
McGhee, Howard
Callender, Red
Thompson, Lucky
McVea, Jack
Ashby, Irving
Bunn, Jimmy
manufacturer
Black & White
ID Number
1978.0670.015
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
150
catalog number
1978.0670.015
Johnny Rivers. side 1: Porr Side of Town; side 2: A Man Can Cry (Imperial 66205)45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve,Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Johnny Rivers. side 1: Porr Side of Town; side 2: A Man Can Cry (Imperial 66205)
45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve,
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966
recording artist
Rivers, Johnny
manufacturer
Imperial
ID Number
1996.3034.06549
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
66205
catalog number
1996.3034.06549

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