Popular Entertainment

Elvis Presley Record

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.

Resource Type: Drawings

Camera-ready comic panel, entitled Laugh It Off

Laugh It Off was a comic panel series created by New Yorker cartoonist Sydney "Syd" Hoff (1912-2004) and distributed by King Features Syndicate from 1957 to 1971. The panels often illustrated funny moments or situations people find themselves in on a daily basis.
Description
Laugh It Off was a comic panel series created by New Yorker cartoonist Sydney "Syd" Hoff (1912-2004) and distributed by King Features Syndicate from 1957 to 1971. The panels often illustrated funny moments or situations people find themselves in on a daily basis. In this panel, a boss addresses one of his workers that is putting on his jacket to leave: "I don't mind you leaving early to avoid the traffic rush, Folsom, but it itsn't even noon yet."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
8/10/1966
08/10/1966
graphic artist
Hoff, Syd
publisher
King Features Syndicate
ID Number
GA.22346
catalog number
22346
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Blue Chips".

"Blue Chips", drawn by Morrie Brickman (1917-1994), is based on stock traders and their dealings with the economic uncertainties of the times. This was a precursor to Brickman's most famous cartoon, "The Small Society", which deals with money, politics, and national issues.
Description
"Blue Chips", drawn by Morrie Brickman (1917-1994), is based on stock traders and their dealings with the economic uncertainties of the times. This was a precursor to Brickman's most famous cartoon, "The Small Society", which deals with money, politics, and national issues. In this strip, Pigeon gets advice from his advisor, Bartlett.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
9/24/1966
graphic artist
Brickman, Morrie
publisher
King Features Syndicate
ID Number
GA.22357
catalog number
22357
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "All-Stars: Sandy".

Al Liederman (aka Leeds) drew cartoons over a forty-year period, including a stint as assistant artist on Marvel's "Captain America". During his early career and towards the end of his career, Liederman created sports-themed and editorial cartoons, including "Li'l Leaguer".
Description
Al Liederman (aka Leeds) drew cartoons over a forty-year period, including a stint as assistant artist on Marvel's "Captain America". During his early career and towards the end of his career, Liederman created sports-themed and editorial cartoons, including "Li'l Leaguer". In this strip, a baseball player figures out that the base coach is just swatting a bee, not giving a signal to the batter.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
09/03/1966
graphic artist
Liederman, Al
publisher
United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
ID Number
GA.22412
catalog number
22412
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic art drawing for Judge Parker

This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Judge Parker comic strip shows Charles holding Casandra Canabar and Randy Parker hostage, telling them to report to the police that the emergency call had been a false alarm.Harold Anthony LeDoux (1926-2015) moved to New York City after W
Description (Brief)
This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Judge Parker comic strip shows Charles holding Casandra Canabar and Randy Parker hostage, telling them to report to the police that the emergency call had been a false alarm.
Harold Anthony LeDoux (1926-2015) moved to New York City after World War II and began drawing for the Famous Funnies comic books. In 1953 he began assisting Dan Heilman on the comic strip Judge Parker. LeDoux took over the strip after Heilman's death in 1965 and retired in 2006.
Judge Parker (1952- ) was created by psychiatrist and writer Nick Dallis. Dallis invited Dan Heilman, who had previously assisted on Buz Sawyer and Mary Worth,to be the artist for Judge Parker. The title character was a widower with two children, who later married a younger woman. Originally written as an attractive crime-fighting character, Parker had by the 1960s become more conservative and sedate while the younger attorney, Sam Driver, became more central to the cast, along with his client and girlfriend, Abby, and her two children.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966-08-21
graphic artist
LeDoux, Harold
publisher
Publishers Newspapers Syndicate, Inc.
ID Number
GA.22570
catalog number
22570
accession number
277502

Camera-ready drawing, entitled Mary Worth

Mary Worth, also titled Mary Worth's Family during the early 1940s, was famously drawn by Ken Ernst and written by Allen Saunders during the 1960s-1980s. It continues to be distributed by King Features Syndicate, although with new artists and writers.
Description
Mary Worth, also titled Mary Worth's Family during the early 1940s, was famously drawn by Ken Ernst and written by Allen Saunders during the 1960s-1980s. It continues to be distributed by King Features Syndicate, although with new artists and writers. The strip features the title character Mary, a former teacher and widow, in a soap-opera style storyline including the drama surrounding her apartment house neighbors. This is an original drawing of Mary Worth by Ernst.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
undated
graphic artist
Ernst, Ken
author
Saunders, John Allen
ID Number
GA.22500
catalog number
22500
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Debbie Deere".

"Debbie Deere", the first newspaper comic strip created and drawn by Frank Bolle (b. 1924), was published from 1966 to 1969 by McNaught Syndicate. Debbie is a newspaper advice columnist, who is continually involved in the drama of her fans.
Description
"Debbie Deere", the first newspaper comic strip created and drawn by Frank Bolle (b. 1924), was published from 1966 to 1969 by McNaught Syndicate. Debbie is a newspaper advice columnist, who is continually involved in the drama of her fans. Although the strip was short lived, it allowed Bolle to gain recognition as a comic strip artist; he went on to draw five other strips including "Winnie Winkle". In this strip, Mr. Boyd, Debbie's boss, criticizes her writing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
07/15/1966
graphic artist
Bolle, Frank
publisher
McNaught Syndicate, Inc.
ID Number
GA.22556
catalog number
22556
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled Muggs and Skeeter

Muggs and Skeeter, also published under the title Muggs McGinnis from 1927 until 1936, was created and drawn by Wallace "Wally" Bishop (1906-1982). The strip was distributed by King Features Syndicate from 1927 until 1974.
Description
Muggs and Skeeter, also published under the title Muggs McGinnis from 1927 until 1936, was created and drawn by Wallace "Wally" Bishop (1906-1982). The strip was distributed by King Features Syndicate from 1927 until 1974. The comic strip featured two boys, Muggs and Skeeter, and their adventures in boyhood (and teenage-boyhood). In this strip, Muggs and Skeeter are disappointed because they were not invited to Suzie's party.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
9/7/1966
08/22/1966
graphic artist
Bishop, Wally
publisher
King Features Syndicate
ID Number
GA.22440
catalog number
22440
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic panel, entitled Let's Explore Your Mind

Let's Explore Your Mind was a 1950s comic panel created by Bill Lignante (b. 1925), who later became a major artist for ABC News. The comic was created to get readers to critically think.
Description
Let's Explore Your Mind was a 1950s comic panel created by Bill Lignante (b. 1925), who later became a major artist for ABC News. The comic was created to get readers to critically think. In this panel, Lignante asks, "Does a person's physical build reveal his personality?"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
08/16/unknown year
original artist
Lignante, Bill
ID Number
GA.22535
catalog number
22535
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic page, entitled "Another Edison Questionnaire".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons. In this comic, three panels depict critical thinking questions. On reverse, two copies of the panel scenes feature Edison-related questions typed beneath.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons. In this comic, three panels depict critical thinking questions. On reverse, two copies of the panel scenes feature Edison-related questions typed beneath. Under panel 1, "Who will survive in a group?", under 2, "What is the quickest ocean voyage?" and under 3, "Is a high pressure salesman successful?"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
08/02/1930
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24200
catalog number
24200
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready comic page, entitled "A Boy, Unknown a Month Ago..."

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this comic page, the artist depicts the scene of "Broadcasting to the Nation from the Washington Monument in D.C.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this comic page, the artist depicts the scene of "Broadcasting to the Nation from the Washington Monument in D.C. for President Coolidge." In the foreground, various groups, delegates, soldiers, etc. are in attendance. On reverse, "A Boy, Unknown a Month ago, is about to receive the greatest ovation ever accorded a Private citizen, June 11, 1927." This was in reference to Charles Lindbergh receiving the first Distinguished Flying Cross ever awarded.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
06/11/1927
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24191
catalog number
24191
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready comic page, entitled Life's Like That

Life’s Like That, created and drawn by Fred Neher (1903-2001), was distributed by Bell-McClure Syndicate and later the United Features Syndicate, from 1934 until 1977. The comic was a gag panel about everyday life.
Description
Life’s Like That, created and drawn by Fred Neher (1903-2001), was distributed by Bell-McClure Syndicate and later the United Features Syndicate, from 1934 until 1977. The comic was a gag panel about everyday life. This comic page features characters such as Golde, Some Punkins and Will-Yum.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
09/04/1966
graphic artist
Neher, Fred
publisher
Bell-McClure Syndicate
ID Number
GA.22423
catalog number
22423
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Donald Duck".

The Walt Disney character Donald Duck debuted in 1934 in a comic strip entitled "Wise Little Hen" which was published in the Silly Symphonies comic strip series.
Description
The Walt Disney character Donald Duck debuted in 1934 in a comic strip entitled "Wise Little Hen" which was published in the Silly Symphonies comic strip series. Donald debuted in his own "Donald Duck" black and white daily comic strip on Febuary 7, 1938 and in 1939 he had his own Sunday color comic strip. Al Taliaferro (1905-1969) drew the majority of the strips until the late 1960s, which were distributed by King Features Syndicate. In this strip, Donald attempts to karate chop a board to impress his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. However, he ends up with a big splinter in his hand.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
08/11/1966
graphic artist
Disney, Walt
publisher
Walt Disney Productions
graphic artist
Taliaferro, Al
author
Karp, Bob
ID Number
GA.22409
catalog number
22409
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled Little Lulu

Little Lulu, created in 1935 by Marjorie Henderson "Marge" Buell, started as a comic to replace Carl Anderson's Henry comic in The Saturday Evening Post. The daily comic strip was syndicated from 1950 until 1969, drawn by several different artists.
Description
Little Lulu, created in 1935 by Marjorie Henderson "Marge" Buell, started as a comic to replace Carl Anderson's Henry comic in The Saturday Evening Post. The daily comic strip was syndicated from 1950 until 1969, drawn by several different artists. The comic strip features the title character, a precocious and often bad-tempered little girl, Lulu, and her interactions with her family and others around her. In this strip, Tubby ate the dinner Lulu had made for her dog Mops.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
08/26/1966
graphic artist
Buell, Marge
ID Number
GA.22638
catalog number
22638
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic art drawing entitled "Don'ts for Aviators".

This pen and ink comic art panel drawing shows a cemetery with headstones outlining various dangers to aviators, such as drinking before flying.John McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a popular political cartoon artist who got his start at the Chicago Record in 1889.
Description (Brief)
This pen and ink comic art panel drawing shows a cemetery with headstones outlining various dangers to aviators, such as drinking before flying.
John McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a popular political cartoon artist who got his start at the Chicago Record in 1889. In 1903 he moved on to the Chicago Tribune, where he worked until he retired in 1946. McCutcheon mostly used the single-panel format, but occasionally used strips for more involved messages, but always a self-contained story. McCutcheon prepared editorial cartoons for his entire career, and won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 1932.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. This comic page shows a cemetary with headstones of various warnings and dangers to aviators, such as drinking before flying, performing tricks, etc. Two men in the background are digging a grave for an aviator "getting gay in an untried machine." At bottom in pencil, "Some pleasant advice for Friday the 13th." On reverse in pencil, sketch of a man walking in front of a large crowd in an auditorium.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
07/13/1911
09/13/1911
09/13/1912
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24187
catalog number
24187
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready comic art drawing for Lolly

This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Lolly comic strip shows the title character, who has taken a job as a secretary, making an initial spelling mistake in a letter she has prepared for her boss.Per Ruse "Pete" Hansen (1920-1994) was born in Denmark and moved to the United S
Description (Brief)
This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Lolly comic strip shows the title character, who has taken a job as a secretary, making an initial spelling mistake in a letter she has prepared for her boss.
Per Ruse "Pete" Hansen (1920-1994) was born in Denmark and moved to the United States as a child. He began his comic art career as an artist at Disney Animation Studios in 1938. In the early 1950s, after leaving Disney, he began working on Flapdoodles and later, between 1955 and 1983, Lolly, Hansen’s best known strip. In the 1980s, after returning to Disney, Hansen wrote for their foreign publication strips.
Lolly (1955-1983) was a newspaper comic strip about a young, single woman who supported herself, her grandmother, and her younger brother, Pepper. The strip stood out in the 1950s because it featured a young girl as the family’s breadwinner. The strip appeared as a comic book series in the 1950s and 1960s.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966-07-11
graphic artist
Hansen, Pete
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.22538
catalog number
22538
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Kerry Drake".

"Kerry Drake", created by Alfred Andriola (1912-1983) and [unofficially] ghostwritten by Allen Saunders, was distributed by Publishers-Hall Syndicate from 1943 to 1983. The strip features Kerry Drake, a criminal investigator and policeman.
Description
"Kerry Drake", created by Alfred Andriola (1912-1983) and [unofficially] ghostwritten by Allen Saunders, was distributed by Publishers-Hall Syndicate from 1943 to 1983. The strip features Kerry Drake, a criminal investigator and policeman. Drake used new crime analysis tools to solve complex cases, which gained the strip popular readership. In this strip, Drake and Johnny investigate a home that has been burglarized.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
7/24/1966
maker
James, Alfred
publisher
King Features Syndicate
ID Number
GA.22599
catalog number
22599
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled Louie

Louie was created and drawn by British cartoonist Harry Hanan (d. 1982) from 1947 until 1976, distributed by The Post-Hall Syndicate and The Chicago Tribune Syndicate. The strip features a soft-spoken, often silent husband and his misadventures with his wife and others.
Description
Louie was created and drawn by British cartoonist Harry Hanan (d. 1982) from 1947 until 1976, distributed by The Post-Hall Syndicate and The Chicago Tribune Syndicate. The strip features a soft-spoken, often silent husband and his misadventures with his wife and others. In this strip, Louie drops a book at the library and is yelled at by the librarian.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
8/8/1966
08/08/1966
graphic artist
Hanan, Harry
publisher
News Syndicate Co., Inc.
ID Number
GA.22534
catalog number
22534
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Joe Palooka".

Ham Fisher (1900-1955) created and drew "Joe Palooka" which ran from 1930-1984, distributed by McNaught Syndicate. The comic strip revolves around the life of the title character, Joe, a professional boxer, and was intended to show good sportsmanship and morality.
Description
Ham Fisher (1900-1955) created and drew "Joe Palooka" which ran from 1930-1984, distributed by McNaught Syndicate. The comic strip revolves around the life of the title character, Joe, a professional boxer, and was intended to show good sportsmanship and morality. Tony DiPreta took over art for the strip in 1959 until 1984, when the strip ended as one of the most successful sports strips in comic history. This is an original drawing of Joe Palooka by DiPreta.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
undated
graphic artist
Fisher, Ham
author
Dipreta, Tony
publisher
McNaught Syndicate, Inc.
ID Number
GA.22471.03
catalog number
22471.03
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled Apartment 3-G

This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Apartment 3-G comic strip shows the characters discussing how much they miss Peter. A new neighbor, named Newton Figg, is just arriving to move into 3-B, across the hall.
Description (Brief)
This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Apartment 3-G comic strip shows the characters discussing how much they miss Peter. A new neighbor, named Newton Figg, is just arriving to move into 3-B, across the hall. Figg raises some eyebrows because he’s arriving with two oversized, stuffed animals named Wilbur and Wendell.
Alex Kotzky(1923-1996), while an art student in New York in 1940, became an assistant at DC Comics. In the 1950s he worked for publishers Quality Comics and Ziff-Davis. During this time he also ghost-drew for comic strips such as Steve Canyon and Big Ben Bolt. In 1961 he and writer-psychiatrist Nick Dallis began producing Apartment 3-G.
Apartment 3-G (1961- ) portrayed the lives of three young women who live together: art teacher Lu Ann Powers, nurse Tommie Thompson, and Margo Magee (who over time held different jobs). The soap opera-style comic includes the interactions of the three young women and their friendly, fatherly neighbor Professor Aristotle Papagoras.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966-08-07
graphic artist
Kotzky, Alex
publisher
Publishers Newspapers Syndicate, Inc.
ID Number
GA.22528
catalog number
22528
accession number
277502

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "Judge Parker".

"Judge Parker" was created in 1952 by Nicholas P. Dallis, aka Paul Nichols (1911-1991). Harold LeDoux took over drawing the strip from 1965 to 2006.
Description
"Judge Parker" was created in 1952 by Nicholas P. Dallis, aka Paul Nichols (1911-1991). Harold LeDoux took over drawing the strip from 1965 to 2006. The strip has a soap-opera type storyline similar to Dallis' other comic strips, "Apartment 3-G" and "Rex Morgan, M.D." Alan Parker, a judge, along with attorney Sam Driver, take on criminals and deliver justice; family interaction also plays a key role in the story scripts. This is a drawing of Judge Parker, smoking a pipe, by LeDoux.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
undated
graphic artist
LeDoux, Harold
ID Number
GA.22499
catalog number
22499
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic panel, entitled "Carnival".

Dick Turner (1909-1999) created "Carnival" and "Mr. Merryweather" simultaneously in 1940. "Carnival", which ran until 1980, is largely based on small town life and of his Indiana upbringing. In this panel, a man and woman are in a car sinking into a swamp.
Description
Dick Turner (1909-1999) created "Carnival" and "Mr. Merryweather" simultaneously in 1940. "Carnival", which ran until 1980, is largely based on small town life and of his Indiana upbringing. In this panel, a man and woman are in a car sinking into a swamp. The caption reads, "I haven't heard a juicy bit of gossip like that for months!"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
06/01/1966
publisher
NEA, Inc.
graphic artist
Turner, Dick
ID Number
GA.22373
catalog number
22373
accession number
277502

Bill, Boob McNutt, and Boob McNutt's Geography

Camera-ready pen and ink drawings by Rube Goldberg for his comic series Bill, Boob McNutt, and Boob McNutt's Geography dated September 9, 1934.
Description
Camera-ready pen and ink drawings by Rube Goldberg for his comic series Bill, Boob McNutt, and Boob McNutt's Geography dated September 9, 1934. Goldberg drew for the Bill series between 1931 and 1934, for the Boob McNutt series between 1915 and 1934, and for the Boob McNutt's Geography series in 1934.
Bill and Shoestring try to find a way to get down from the mountains. Boob drives his bus onto a golf course, parks the bus and takes a nap, while an important golf tournament is being played. Boob's Geography comic cell gives clues to the identity of a U.S. state.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
September 9, 1934
publisher
Star Company
original artist
Goldberg, Rube
ID Number
2006.0226.43
catalog number
2006.0226.43
accession number
2006.0226

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Ferd'nand"

"Ferd'nand", created in Denamrk by Henning Dahl "Mik" Mikkelsen (d. 1982), was brought to the United States and distributed by United Feature Syndicate in 1947. The strip features the title character, Ferd, along with his family, a wife and son.
Description
"Ferd'nand", created in Denamrk by Henning Dahl "Mik" Mikkelsen (d. 1982), was brought to the United States and distributed by United Feature Syndicate in 1947. The strip features the title character, Ferd, along with his family, a wife and son. None of the characters speak, so the strip's gags are all done in a sort of pantomime. The strip continues to be created, although by a different artist. In this strip, Ferd and the family go camping, but hook up electricity for comfort.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
08/21/1966
graphic artist
Mikkelsen, Henning Dahl
publisher
United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
ID Number
GA.22447
catalog number
22447
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strips page, with the title strips "Boots", "Boots Fashion Show" and "Babe N' Horace".

"Boots", created and originally drawn by Everett "Abe" Martin, focuses on Boots Ruggles and her daily adventures, mostly centering around dating and family life during and post-WWII. "Babe N' Horace" was often a topper strip for "Boots", which was also drawn by Martin.
Description
"Boots", created and originally drawn by Everett "Abe" Martin, focuses on Boots Ruggles and her daily adventures, mostly centering around dating and family life during and post-WWII. "Babe N' Horace" was often a topper strip for "Boots", which was also drawn by Martin. In these strips, Boots' husband Rod forgets to pick up thread for her machine, so she gets him to take her out for dinner; a boxing match turns into a dance; and different outfits for Boots made for fans of the comic appear as cut-outs for other readers to play with.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
05/01/1966
publisher
NEA, Inc.
graphic artist
Carroll, Les
ID Number
GA.22361
catalog number
22361
accession number
277502

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