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.

All-American Glee Club. side 1: Rambling Wreck From Georgia Tech (track 1) Hail to Georgia (track 2) Cavalier Song/Virginia, Hail, All Hail (track 3); side 2: Carolina's Day (track 1) Hark!
Description
All-American Glee Club. side 1: Rambling Wreck From Georgia Tech (track 1) Hail to Georgia (track 2) Cavalier Song/Virginia, Hail, All Hail (track 3); side 2: Carolina's Day (track 1) Hark! The Sound of Tarheel Voice/Here Comes Carolina (track 2) (Victor 26684), from the album, College Songs, Vol. 3 - Southern (Victor P 34).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.25
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
26684
catalog number
1988.0384.25
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1944
depicted (sitter)
Spivak, Charlie
maker
RCA Corporation
ID Number
1989.0041.05
accession number
1989.0041
catalog number
1989.0041.05
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: St. Louis Blues; side 2: Nick La Rocca and the Original Dixieland Band. Clarinet Marmalade (Victor 25411).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: St. Louis Blues; side 2: Nick La Rocca and the Original Dixieland Band. Clarinet Marmalade (Victor 25411).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
La Rocca, Nick
Original Dixieland Band
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.1063
catalog number
1988.0698.1063
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G35
maker number
25411
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. St. Louis Blues; side 2: Nick La Rocca and The Original Dixieland Band. Clarinet Marmalade (Victor 25411).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. St. Louis Blues; side 2: Nick La Rocca and The Original Dixieland Band. Clarinet Marmalade (Victor 25411).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
La Rocca, Nick
Original Dixieland Band
composer
Handy, W. C.
Ragas, H. W.
Shields, Larry
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1993.0102.087
catalog number
1993.0102.087
accession number
1993.0102
maker number
25411
Benny Goodman Quartet. side 1: Stompin' at the Savoy; side 2: Vibraphone Blues (Victor 25521).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman Quartet. side 1: Stompin' at the Savoy; side 2: Vibraphone Blues (Victor 25521).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman Quartet
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.1095
catalog number
1988.0698.1095
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G67
maker number
25521
Jimmie Rodgers. side 1: Frankie and Johnny; side 2: The Brakeman's Blues (RCA Victor 21-0044), from the album, Yodeling Yours (RCA Victor P 244), 78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1929. Side 2 was recorded in 1928. The album was released in 1949.Currently not on view
Description
Jimmie Rodgers. side 1: Frankie and Johnny; side 2: The Brakeman's Blues (RCA Victor 21-0044), from the album, Yodeling Yours (RCA Victor P 244),
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1929. Side 2 was recorded in 1928. The album was released in 1949.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1929
1928
release date
1949
recording artist
Rodgers, Jimmie
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05257
maker number
21-0044
P 244
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05257
Benny Goodman Trio. side 1: Body and Soul; side 2: After You've Gone (Victor 25115).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman Trio. side 1: Body and Soul; side 2: After You've Gone (Victor 25115).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1935
recording artist
Benny Goodman Trio
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.1082
catalog number
1988.0698.1082
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G53
maker number
25115
side 1: Benny Goodman Trio. Where Or When?; side 2: Benny Goodman Quintet. I Cried For You (Bluebird B-11456).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1937 and released on Victor 25725. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1938 and released on Victor 26139.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
side 1: Benny Goodman Trio. Where Or When?; side 2: Benny Goodman Quintet. I Cried For You (Bluebird B-11456).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1937 and released on Victor 25725. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1938 and released on Victor 26139.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
1938
recording artist
Benny Goodman Trio
Benny Goodman Quintet
manufacturer
Bluebird
ID Number
1988.0698.1089
catalog number
1988.0698.1089
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G60
maker number
B-11456
All-American Glee Club. College Songs, Vol. 4 - Pacific Coast (Victor P 36). 3-disc set. (album for 1988.0384.27 - .29).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
All-American Glee Club. College Songs, Vol. 4 - Pacific Coast (Victor P 36). 3-disc set. (album for 1988.0384.27 - .29).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.26
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
P 36
catalog number
1988.0384.26
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: Stompy Jones; side 2: Delta Serenade (Victor 20-1533). form the album, A Duke Ellington Panorama (Victor P-138).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1934 and released on Victor 24521.
Description
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: Stompy Jones; side 2: Delta Serenade (Victor 20-1533). form the album, A Duke Ellington Panorama (Victor P-138).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1934 and released on Victor 24521. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1934 and released on Victor 24755. The album was released in 1943.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1934
release date
1943
recording artist
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.668
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
20-1533
P-138
catalog number
1978.0670.668
Carson Robison and his Pleasant Valley Boys. side 1: Spanish Cavaliero; side 2: Irish Woman (RCA Victor 20-1830), from the album, Square Dances (RCA Victor P 155).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Carson Robison and his Pleasant Valley Boys. side 1: Spanish Cavaliero; side 2: Irish Woman (RCA Victor 20-1830), from the album, Square Dances (RCA Victor P 155).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1946
recording artist
Carson Robison and His Pleasant Valley Boys
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05251
maker number
20-1830
P 155
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05251
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1944
depicted (sitter)
McIntyre, Hal
maker
RCA Corporation
ID Number
1989.0041.02
accession number
1989.0041
catalog number
1989.0041.02
Victor Military Band. side 1: The Infrantry-Kings of the Highway; side 2: Sabre and Spurs (Victor 27816), from the album, Songs Of the Service (Victor P 117).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Victor Military Band. side 1: The Infrantry-Kings of the Highway; side 2: Sabre and Spurs (Victor 27816), from the album, Songs Of the Service (Victor P 117).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1942
recording artist
Victor Military Band
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1980.0339.36
accession number
1980.0339
maker number
27816
P 117
catalog number
1980.0339.36
side 1: Hawaiian Quintette. Aloha Oe (Farewell to Thee); side 2: S. M. Kaiawe with the Hawaiian Quintette. Kuu Home (Native Plantation Song) (Victor 18577).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
side 1: Hawaiian Quintette. Aloha Oe (Farewell to Thee); side 2: S. M. Kaiawe with the Hawaiian Quintette. Kuu Home (Native Plantation Song) (Victor 18577).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1913
composer
Queen Lili'uokalani
recording artist
Hawaiian Quintette
lyricist
Montano, Mary J.
recording artist
Kaiawe, S. M.
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
2000.3053.1678
catalog number
2000.3053.1678
label number
18577
nonaccession number
2000.3053
Benny Goodman Trio. side 1: After You've Gone; side 2: Oh, Lady Be Good! (Victor 40-0107), from the album, Victor Hot Jazz, Vol. 2: Benny Goodman (Victor HJ-2).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1935 and released on Victor 25115.
Description
Benny Goodman Trio. side 1: After You've Gone; side 2: Oh, Lady Be Good! (Victor 40-0107), from the album, Victor Hot Jazz, Vol. 2: Benny Goodman (Victor HJ-2).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1935 and released on Victor 25115. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1936 and released on Victor 25333. The album was released in 1945.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1935
1936
release date
1945
recording artist
Benny Goodman Trio
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.671
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
40-0107
HJ-2
catalog number
1978.0670.671
George Beverly Shea. side 1: O Little Town of Bethlehem; side 2: Thou Did'st Leave Thy Throne (RCA Victor 20-5409), from the album, Christmas Hymns (RCA Victor P 3149).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
George Beverly Shea. side 1: O Little Town of Bethlehem; side 2: Thou Did'st Leave Thy Throne (RCA Victor 20-5409), from the album, Christmas Hymns (RCA Victor P 3149).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1953
recording artist
Shea, George Beverly
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05259
maker number
20-5409
P 3149
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05259
Hank Snow. side 1: Somewhere Along Life's Highway; side 2: Within This Broken Heart of Mine (RCA Victor 21-0364), from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1947 and initially released on Victor (Canada) 55-3244.
Description
Hank Snow. side 1: Somewhere Along Life's Highway; side 2: Within This Broken Heart of Mine (RCA Victor 21-0364), from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1947 and initially released on Victor (Canada) 55-3244. Side 2 was recorded in 1947 and initially released on Victor (Canada) 55-3243. This album was releasd in 1950.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording date
1947
recording artist
Snow, Hank
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05273
maker number
21-0364
P 295
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05273
Hank Snow. side 1: You Broke the Chain That Held Our Hearts; side 2: No Golden Tomorrow Ahead (RCA Victor 21-0362), from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1944 and initially released on Bluebird (Canada) 55-3214.
Description
Hank Snow. side 1: You Broke the Chain That Held Our Hearts; side 2: No Golden Tomorrow Ahead (RCA Victor 21-0362), from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1944 and initially released on Bluebird (Canada) 55-3214. Side 2 was recorded in 1945 and initially released on Victor (Canada) 55-3237. This album was released in 1950.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording date
1944
1945
recording artist
Snow, Hank
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05271
maker number
21-0362
P 295
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05271
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Sea Walker; side 2: The Touch of God's Hand (RCA Victor 20-3195), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.Currently not on view
Description
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Sea Walker; side 2: The Touch of God's Hand (RCA Victor 20-3195), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
release date
1948
recording artist
Sons of the Pioneers
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05276
maker number
20-3195
P 229
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05276
Benny Goodman. side 1: Farewell Blues; side 2: Margie (Bluebird B-10973).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman. side 1: Farewell Blues; side 2: Margie (Bluebird B-10973).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1938
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Bluebird
ID Number
1978.0670.019
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
B-10973
catalog number
1978.0670.019
Hank Snow. side 1: Wasted Love; side 2: My Two Timin' Woman (RCA Victor 21-0363). from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Hank Snow. side 1: Wasted Love; side 2: My Two Timin' Woman (RCA Victor 21-0363). from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording artist
Snow, Hank
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05272
maker number
21-0363
P 295
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05272
United States Navy Band. side 1: Anchors Aweigh; side 2: All Hands (Victor 21296).78 rpm. This record is not part of the original Victor P 32 set. The correct record is Victor 26672.Currently not on view
Description
United States Navy Band. side 1: Anchors Aweigh; side 2: All Hands (Victor 21296).
78 rpm. This record is not part of the original Victor P 32 set. The correct record is Victor 26672.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1928
release date
1940
recording artist
United States Navy Band
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.19
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
21296
catalog number
1988.0384.19
maker number
P 32
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: East Saint Louis Toodle-Oo; side 2: The Mooche (Victor 20-1531), from the album, A Duke Ellington Panorama (Victor P138).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1928 and released on Victor 21703.
Description
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: East Saint Louis Toodle-Oo; side 2: The Mooche (Victor 20-1531), from the album, A Duke Ellington Panorama (Victor P138).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1928 and released on Victor 21703. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1927 and released on Victor V-38034. The album was released in 1943.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1928
1927
release date
1943
recording artist
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.666
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
20-1531
P-138
catalog number
1978.0670.666
May Hill Arbuthnot. side 1: Talking Time [part 1]; side 2: Talking Time [part 2] (RCA EOCB-4548/49), from the album, Poetry Time (RCA).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
May Hill Arbuthnot. side 1: Talking Time [part 1]; side 2: Talking Time [part 2] (RCA EOCB-4548/49), from the album, Poetry Time (RCA).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1951
recording artist
Arbuthnot, May Hill
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05006
maker number
EOCB-4548/49
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05006

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