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.

This sheet music is for the song “The Band Played On,” with music by Charles P. Ward and words by John F. Palmer. It was published by Calumet Music Company in Chicago, Illinois in 1936.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “The Band Played On,” with music by Charles P. Ward and words by John F. Palmer. It was published by Calumet Music Company in Chicago, Illinois in 1936.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1936
publisher
Calumet Music Company
ID Number
1984.0105.09
accession number
1984.0105
catalog number
1984.0105.09
This sheet music is for the song “Some of These Days.” The song was written and composed by Shelton Brooke and published by Will Rossiter of Chicago, Illinois in 1910.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Some of These Days.” The song was written and composed by Shelton Brooke and published by Will Rossiter of Chicago, Illinois in 1910. The cream and white colored cover features an inset photo of Sophie Tucker, and proclaims the song as “Radio’s Big Hit!” and “Everybody’s Favorite!”
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1910
performer
Tucker, Sophie
composer
Brooks, Shelton
publisher
Will Rossiter
ID Number
1982.0736.16
accession number
1982.0736
catalog number
1982.0736.16
Rex Stewart's Big Eight. side 1: The Little Goose; side 2: Zaza (Mercury 1101).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Rex Stewart's Big Eight. side 1: The Little Goose; side 2: Zaza (Mercury 1101).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Rex Stewart's Big Eight
manufacturer
Mercury
ID Number
1978.0670.724
maker number
1101
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.724
Charlie Parker with strings. side 1: I Didn't Know What Time It Was; side 2: Summertime (Mercury 11038), from the album, Charlie Parker With Strings (Mercury C-101).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992).
Description

Charlie Parker with strings. side 1: I Didn't Know What Time It Was; side 2: Summertime (Mercury 11038), from the album, Charlie Parker With Strings (Mercury C-101).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992). Martin was an American artist best known for his illustrations on jazz album covers for labels including Mercury, Asch, Clef, Disc, and Dial. Many of his commissions were from Martin’s longtime friend, American jazz record producer and concert promoter Norman Granz (1918-2001).

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Parker, Charlie
manufacturer
Mercury
ID Number
1978.0670.629
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
11038
C-101
catalog number
1978.0670.629
This sheet music is for the song “Mexicali Rose” that was written by Helen Stone and composed by Jack B. Tenney. The sheet music was published by M.M. Cole Publishing Company of Chicago, Illinois in 1923.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “Mexicali Rose” that was written by Helen Stone and composed by Jack B. Tenney. The sheet music was published by M.M. Cole Publishing Company of Chicago, Illinois in 1923. The red cover features an illustration of a young woman dancing, and an inset photograph of Bing Crosby, who featured the song in his performances and records. The song was about a man comforting his “Mexicali Rose” who he had to leave for a time.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1923
associated person
Crosby, Bing
publisher
M. M. Cole Publishing Co.
ID Number
1983.0424.037
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.037
Red River Dave. side 1: Empty Saddles; side 2: Red River Valley (Sonora 1066), from the album, Songs of the West (Sonora MS 464).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Red River Dave. side 1: Empty Saddles; side 2: Red River Valley (Sonora 1066), from the album, Songs of the West (Sonora MS 464).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Red River Dave
manufacturer
Sonora
ID Number
1996.0320.05215
maker number
1066
MS 464
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05215
This sheet music is for the song “Home on the Range,” with music by Daniel E. Kelley and lyrics by Brewster M. Higley. It was published by M.M. Cole Publishing Co. in Chicago, Illinois in 1932.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Home on the Range,” with music by Daniel E. Kelley and lyrics by Brewster M. Higley. It was published by M.M. Cole Publishing Co. in Chicago, Illinois in 1932. There is an image on the cover of American singer, songwriter, actor, and musician Gene Autry (1907-1998). As indicated on the cover, Autry “successfully featured” this song.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1932
publisher
M. M. Cole Publishing Co.
ID Number
1984.0568.15
accession number
1984.0568
catalog number
1984.0568.15
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1964
1962
recording artist
Berry, Chuck
ID Number
1996.3034.00590
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
1912
catalog number
1996.3034.00590
This player piano roll was made by Imperial Player Roll Company in the United States, late 1920s. It is roll #6120 – “Bye Bye Blackbird” with music by Ray Henderson and lyrics by Mort Dixon.Currently not on view
Description
This player piano roll was made by Imperial Player Roll Company in the United States, late 1920s. It is roll #6120 – “Bye Bye Blackbird” with music by Ray Henderson and lyrics by Mort Dixon.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 1920s
manufacturer
Imperial
ID Number
MI.71.12.02
accession number
292526
catalog number
71.12.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1966
ID Number
2011.0056.01
serial number
10807
accession number
2011.0056
catalog number
2011.0056.01
Curley Bradley. side 1: When the Bloom Is on the Sage; side 2: The Hills of Old Wyoming (Universal 7500), from the album, Curley Bradley presents the Tom Mix of Radio(Universal U2).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Curley Bradley. side 1: When the Bloom Is on the Sage; side 2: The Hills of Old Wyoming (Universal 7500), from the album, Curley Bradley presents the Tom Mix of Radio(Universal U2).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1948
recording artist
Bradley, Curley
manufacturer
Universal
ID Number
1996.0320.05062
maker number
7500
U2
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05062
Charlie Parker with strings. side 1: Everything Happens To Me; side 2: Just Friends (Mercury 11036), from the album, Charlie Parker With Strings (Mercury C-101).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992).
Description

Charlie Parker with strings. side 1: Everything Happens To Me; side 2: Just Friends (Mercury 11036), from the album, Charlie Parker With Strings (Mercury C-101).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992). Martin was an American artist best known for his illustrations on jazz album covers for labels including Mercury, Asch, Clef, Disc, and Dial. Many of his commissions were from Martin’s longtime friend, American jazz record producer and concert promoter Norman Granz (1918-2001).

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Parker, Charlie
manufacturer
Mercury
ID Number
1978.0670.627
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
11036
C-101
catalog number
1978.0670.627
This sheet music is for the song “Jolly Jennie Jones” that was written and composed by Fred J. Hamill. The sheet music was published by the Olympia Music Co. of New York City in 1899, and appeared as a supplement to the “New York Journal and Advertiser” on April 16, 1899.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “Jolly Jennie Jones” that was written and composed by Fred J. Hamill. The sheet music was published by the Olympia Music Co. of New York City in 1899, and appeared as a supplement to the “New York Journal and Advertiser” on April 16, 1899. The cover has two images of Lottie Gilson, a vaudeville actor known as “The Little Magnet” because of her ability to draw fans to shows and sell sheet music.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1899
publisher
Olympia Music Co.
ID Number
1983.0424.120
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.120
This song book Carson J. Robison's World's Greatest Collection of Mountain Ballads and Old Time Songs was published by M. M. Cole Publishing Co. in Chicago, Illinois in 1930. It features 50 hits by Carson J.
Description
This song book Carson J. Robison's World's Greatest Collection of Mountain Ballads and Old Time Songs was published by M. M. Cole Publishing Co. in Chicago, Illinois in 1930. It features 50 hits by Carson J. Robison including “Hallelujah I’m a Bum,” “Golden Slippers,” “Birmingham Jail,” and “Bury Me Out on the Prairie.” There is an image of Carson J. Robison with his guitar on the cover.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1930
depicted (sitter)
Robison, Carson
publisher
M. M. Cole Publishing Co.
ID Number
2014.0044.01
accession number
2014.0044
catalog number
2014.0044.01
This music roll was made by Mills Novelty Company in Chicago, Illinois, about 1928-1929. It is Roll #2814, playable in a Violano Virtuoso player. The tune list for this roll is as follows:Roll #2814 - Five Runs! Five Hits!
Description (Brief)

This music roll was made by Mills Novelty Company in Chicago, Illinois, about 1928-1929. It is Roll #2814, playable in a Violano Virtuoso player. The tune list for this roll is as follows:

Roll #2814 - Five Runs! Five Hits! No Errors!
13909: Just a Little Bit of Driftwood (fox trot), Abe Lyman, Dohl Davis & Benny Davis, copyright 1928, Robbins Music Corp.
13910: Happy Go Lucky Lane (fox trot), Lewis, Young & Meyer, copyright 1928, Jerome Remick
13911: Dream River (waltz), George Brown, copyright 1928, Joe Morris Music Co.
13912: My Baby Came Home (fox trot), Buddy Fields-Charlie Newman-Jack Gardner, copyright 1928, Milton Weil.
13913: There Ain't No Sweet Man Worth the Salt Of My Tears (fox trot), Fred Fisher, copyright 1927, De Sylva Brown & Henderson

Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1928-1929
maker
Mills Novelty Company
ID Number
MI.73.19
accession number
289515
catalog number
73.19
maker number
2814
This sheet music is for the song “If I Only Had a Home Sweet Home,” with words by J. Johns and music by A. L. McDermott. It was published by Will Rossiter in Chicago, Illinois in 1906.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “If I Only Had a Home Sweet Home,” with words by J. Johns and music by A. L. McDermott. It was published by Will Rossiter in Chicago, Illinois in 1906.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1906
publisher
Will Rossiter
ID Number
1983.0691.07
accession number
1983.0691
catalog number
1983.0691.07
Al Grey and the Basie Wing. The Last Of the Big Plungers (Argo 653).33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Al Grey and the Basie Wing. The Last Of the Big Plungers (Argo 653).
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1959
recording artist
Grey, Al
Basie Wing
manufacturer
Argo
ID Number
1978.0670.733
maker number
653
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.733
This player piano roll was made by Imperial Player Roll Company in Chicago, Illinois, late 1920s. It is roll #X9089 – “Stars and Stripes Forever,” by John Philip Sousa.Currently not on view
Description
This player piano roll was made by Imperial Player Roll Company in Chicago, Illinois, late 1920s. It is roll #X9089 – “Stars and Stripes Forever,” by John Philip Sousa.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 1920s
manufacturer
Imperial
ID Number
MI.71.12.06
accession number
292526
catalog number
71.12.06
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943
ID Number
2016.3009.253
nonaccession number
2016.3009
catalog number
2016.3009.253
This sheet music is for the song “My Trundle Bed, or, Recollections of Childhood,” by John C. Baker. It was published by H. M. Higgins in Chicago, Illinois, in 1860.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “My Trundle Bed, or, Recollections of Childhood,” by John C. Baker. It was published by H. M. Higgins in Chicago, Illinois, in 1860. The cover indicates "as sung by Lizzie Hutchinson of the Hutchinson Family."

The Hutchinson Family Singers were an American family vocal group that sang in four-part close harmony, and featured in their repertoire political, social, comic, sentimental and dramatic works. They toured throughout New England and traveled with Frederick Douglass and performed in England in 1845.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1860
publisher
H. M. Higgins
ID Number
1986.0588.10
accession number
1986.0588
catalog number
1986.0588.10
Monte Hale with Cliffie Stone Orchestra. side 1: I Learned to Love You Too Late [track 1] Little Darlin' [track 2]; side 2: Honey, I Was Right (Seal 6869), from the album, Cowboy Songs with Cliffie Stone (Gold Seal).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Monte Hale with Cliffie Stone Orchestra. side 1: I Learned to Love You Too Late [track 1] Little Darlin' [track 2]; side 2: Honey, I Was Right (Seal 6869), from the album, Cowboy Songs with Cliffie Stone (Gold Seal).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Hale, Monte
Cliffie Stone Orchestra
manufacturer
Gold Seal
ID Number
1996.0320.05308
maker number
6869
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05308
This sheet music is for the song “I Ain’t Got Nobody,” with lyrics by Roger Graham and music by Spencer Williams. It was published by Frank K. Root and Company in Chicago, Illinois in 1916. There is an image of Eddie Dale on the cover.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “I Ain’t Got Nobody,” with lyrics by Roger Graham and music by Spencer Williams. It was published by Frank K. Root and Company in Chicago, Illinois in 1916. There is an image of Eddie Dale on the cover.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1916
publisher
Frank K. Root and Company
ID Number
1983.0691.20
accession number
1983.0691
catalog number
1983.0691.20
This music roll was made by Mills Novelty Company in Chicago, Illinois, about 1926-1927. It is Roll #2542, playable in a Violano Virtuoso player.
Description (Brief)

This music roll was made by Mills Novelty Company in Chicago, Illinois, about 1926-1927. It is Roll #2542, playable in a Violano Virtuoso player. The tune list for this roll is as follows:

Roll #2542 - Hand Played Dance Roll
10654: But I Do You Know I Do (fox trot), Walter Donaldson, copyright 1926, Irving Berlin
10655: Smile a Little Bit (fox trot), Bob Mortan & Peggy Shevlin, copyright 1921, Henry Waterson
10656: A Night of Love (waltz), by Larry Spier, copyright 1925, Chappell Harms, Inc.
10657: There are Two Side To Every Story (fox trot), Billy Glason, Lester Lee, and M.K. Jerone, copyright 1926, Henry Waterson
10658: Thanks For the Buggy Ride (fox trot), Jules Buffano, copyright 1925, Zilla Moret

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Mills Novelty Company
ID Number
MI.73.09
accession number
289515
catalog number
73.09
maker number
2542
This sheet music for the song “Bring Your Money Home” was written and composed by Harry S. Miller and published by Will Rossiter of Chicago, Illinois in 1899. The music appeared as a supplement to the “New York Journal and Advertiser” on September 23, 1900.
Description
This sheet music for the song “Bring Your Money Home” was written and composed by Harry S. Miller and published by Will Rossiter of Chicago, Illinois in 1899. The music appeared as a supplement to the “New York Journal and Advertiser” on September 23, 1900. The cover has a green background and features a photograph of Clarice Vance, who sang the song at Keith’s Theatre.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1899
performer
Vance, Clarice
composer; lyricist
Miller, Harry S.
publisher
Will Rossiter
ID Number
1982.0440.71
accession number
1982.0440
catalog number
1982.0440.71

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