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.

Place: Hollywood

Beautiful Ohio; When It's Springtime in the Rockies

Cliffie Stone. side 1: Beatiful Ohio; side 2: When It's Springtime in the Rockies (Capitol 48033), from the album, Waltzes (Capitol AD 108).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Beatiful Ohio; side 2: When It's Springtime in the Rockies (Capitol 48033), from the album, Waltzes (Capitol AD 108).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1948
recording artist
Stone, Cliffie
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05304
maker number
48033
AD 108
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05304

Chris

Chris Connor. Chris (Bethlehem BCP 56).33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Chris Connor. Chris (Bethlehem BCP 56).
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1953-1955
release date
1957
recording artist
Connor, Chris
manufacturer
Bethlehem
ID Number
1978.0670.798
maker number
BCP 56
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.798

Kind of Magic, A; A King of Magic

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
recording artist
Queen
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.3034.06247
label number
PB-5590
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.06247

Blue Lou

Errol Garner, Wardell Gray, Red Callendar, Irving Ashby, and Jackie Mills.
Description

Errol Garner, Wardell Gray, Red Callendar, Irving Ashby, and Jackie Mills. side 1: Blue Lou [part 1]; side 2: Blue Lou [part 2] (Modern 20-640).
78 rpm

This pressing is from a live recording in the Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, California on April 29, 1947 of a Just Jazz concert presented by American impresario, Gene Norman.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Garner, Erroll
Gray, Wardell
Callender, Red
Ashby, Irving
Mills, Jackie
manufacturer
Modern
ID Number
2014.0105.86
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.86
maker number
20-640

Earl "Fatha" Hines...His Piano, and Ralph Carmichael's Swingin' Band

Earl "Fatha" Hines. Earl "Fatha" Hines...His Piano, and Ralph Carmichael's Swingin' Band (Capitol T-1971).33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Earl "Fatha" Hines. Earl "Fatha" Hines...His Piano, and Ralph Carmichael's Swingin' Band (Capitol T-1971).
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1963
recording artist
Hines, Earl
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.803
maker number
T-1971
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.803

Come Dance with Me!

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1959
recording artist
Sinatra, Frank
maker
Capitol
ID Number
2015.0215.0026
accession number
2015.0215
catalog number
2015.0215.0026

Stompin' at the Savoy; The Man I Love

Jazz Session honoring Charlie Venturo. side 1: Stompin' at the Savoy [part 2]; side 2: The Man I Love [part 2] (Lamplighter LL 105-A/107-A), from the album, Jazz Gems, Vol. 1. 78 rpm.These recordings were from The Lamplighter Jazz Sessions, on KPAS radio station in Los Angeles.
Description

Jazz Session honoring Charlie Venturo. side 1: Stompin' at the Savoy [part 2]; side 2: The Man I Love [part 2] (Lamplighter LL 105-A/107-A), from the album, Jazz Gems, Vol. 1.
78 rpm.

These recordings were from The Lamplighter Jazz Sessions, on KPAS radio station in Los Angeles. Jazz writer and columnist for The Los Angeles Daily News Lamplighter column, Ted Yerxa, hosted the half-hour program from late 1944 to early 1947.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Ventura, Charlie
Bigard, Barney
Callender, Red
DeGeer, Ray
Fields, Harry
Kessell, Barney
maker
Lamplighter
ID Number
1978.0670.618
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
LL 105-B
LL 107-B
catalog number
1978.0670.618

Soldier's Joy; Special Instructions for Square Dancing

Cliffie Stone. side 1: Soldier's Joy; side 2: Special Instructions for Square Dancing (Capitol 20098), from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Soldier's Joy; side 2: Special Instructions for Square Dancing (Capitol 20098), from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Cliffie Stone and his Square Dance Band
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05297
maker number
20098
BD 44
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05297

Ooh! My Soul; True, Fine Mama

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1958
recording artist
Little Richard
manufacturer
Specialty
ID Number
1996.3034.06501
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.06501
label number
633

San Antonio Shout; Tin Roof Blues

Ben Pollack and His Pick-A-Rib Boys. side 1: San Antonio Shout; side 2: Tin Roof Blues (Discovery 132).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Ben Pollack and His Pick-A-Rib Boys. side 1: San Antonio Shout; side 2: Tin Roof Blues (Discovery 132).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Ben Pollack and His Pick-a-Rib Boys
manufacturer
Discovery
ID Number
1978.0670.238
maker number
132
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.238

"The Cry of the Wild Goose"

This sheet music is for the song “The Cry of the Wild Goose,” with words and music by Terry Gilkyson. It was published by American Music, Inc. in Hollywood, California in 1949.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “The Cry of the Wild Goose,” with words and music by Terry Gilkyson. It was published by American Music, Inc. in Hollywood, California in 1949. The cover features an image of American singer, songwriter and actor Frankie Laine (1913-2007), who had a U. S. chart-topping hit with his recording on Mercury Records in 1950.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1949
depicted (sitter)
Laine, Frankie
publisher
American Music, Inc.
ID Number
1984.0105.08
accession number
1984.0105
catalog number
1984.0105.08

Cripple Creek; Sally Good'in'

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 (Brief)
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
date made
1947
recording artist
Stone, Cliffie
maker
Capitol
ID Number
1989.0207.16
accession number
1989.0207
catalog number
1989.0207.16
maker number
20099
BD-44

"You're One in a Million"

The sheet music for the song “You’re One In a Million” was written by Harry Harris and composed by Jimmy Durante. The sheet music was published by the Jimmy Durante Music Publishing Co., of Hollywood, California in 1947.
Description
The sheet music for the song “You’re One In a Million” was written by Harry Harris and composed by Jimmy Durante. The sheet music was published by the Jimmy Durante Music Publishing Co., of Hollywood, California in 1947. The cover has an image of a piano’s keyboard and a violin, with an orange hue. The cover features an inset photo of Andy Russell on the lower left.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1947
composer; performer
Durante, Jimmy
lyricist
Harris, Harry
depicted (sitter)
Russell, Andy
publisher
Jimmy Durante Music Publishing Co., Inc.
ID Number
1981.0121.02
accession number
1981.0121
catalog number
1981.0121.02

You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song); Who Would Have Guessed

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
recording artist
Osborne, Jeffrey
manufacturer
A&M Records
ID Number
1996.3034.05762
catalog number
1996.3034.05762
label number
AM-2814
nonaccession number
1996.3034

"Tijuana Taxi"

This sheet music is for the song “Tijuana Taxi,” with lyrics by Johnny Flamingo and music by Bud Coleman. It was published by Irving Music, Inc. in Hollywood, California in 1965.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Tijuana Taxi,” with lyrics by Johnny Flamingo and music by Bud Coleman. It was published by Irving Music, Inc. in Hollywood, California in 1965. There is an image of American musician, composer, and record company executive Herb Albert, who recorded this song with The Tijuana Brass in 1965.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1965
publisher
Irving Music, Inc.
ID Number
1983.0830.08
accession number
1983.0830
catalog number
1983.0830.08

Let Me Call You Sweetheart; There's a Silver Moon on the Golden Gate

Cliffie Stone. side 1: Let Me Call You Sweetheart; side 2: There's a Silver Moon on the Golden Gate (Capitol 48032), from the album, Waltzes (Capitol AD 108).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Let Me Call You Sweetheart; side 2: There's a Silver Moon on the Golden Gate (Capitol 48032), from the album, Waltzes (Capitol AD 108).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1948
recording artist
Stone, Cliffie
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05303
maker number
48032
AD 108
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05303

Maine Stein Song / Hail to Old O.S.C.; Washington and Lee Swing / Glory to Old Georgia

Jan Garber and his Orchestra. side 1: Maine Stein Song [track 1] Hail to Old O.S.C. [track 2]; side 2: Washington and Lee Swing [track 1] Glory to Old Georgia [track 2] (Capitol 10143), from the album, College Medleys (Capitol CD-95).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Jan Garber and his Orchestra. side 1: Maine Stein Song [track 1] Hail to Old O.S.C. [track 2]; side 2: Washington and Lee Swing [track 1] Glory to Old Georgia [track 2] (Capitol 10143), from the album, College Medleys (Capitol CD-95).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1948
recording artist
Jan Garber and His Orchestra
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1981.0656.519
maker number
10143
CD-95
accession number
1981.0656
catalog number
1981.0656.519

Straight Ahead!

Junior Mance. Straight Ahead! (Capitol T-2218).33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Junior Mance. Straight Ahead! (Capitol T-2218).
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1965
recording artist
Mance, Junior
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.747
maker number
T-2218
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.747

Animal Fair; I Was Born a Hundred Years Ago

Tex Ritter. side 1: Animal Fair; side 2: I Was Born a Hundred Years Ago (Capitol 25012), from the album, Songs For Children (Capitol DC 91).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Tex Ritter. side 1: Animal Fair; side 2: I Was Born a Hundred Years Ago (Capitol 25012), from the album, Songs For Children (Capitol DC 91).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1948
recording artist
Ritter, Tex
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05220
maker number
25012
DC 91
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05220

Yesterdays; Runnin' Wild!

Art Tatum. side 1: Yesterdays; side 2: Runnin' Wild (American Recording Artists 4503), 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: Yesterdays; side 2: Runnin' Wild (American Recording Artists 4503), 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
1981.0656.523
maker number
4503
A-1
accession number
1981.0656
catalog number
1981.0656.523

Never Be Anyone Else But You; It's Late

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1959
recording artist
Nelson, Ricky
manufacturer
Imperial
ID Number
1996.3034.05544
catalog number
1996.3034.05544
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
5565

Pickin' on the Wrong Chicken; Satellite Beep Bop

Billy Mitchell and The Basie-ites. side 1: Pickin' on the Wrong Chicken; side 2: Satellite Beep Bop (Imperial X5520)45 rpm.Tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell of Detroit made these recordings with several other members of Count Basie's legendary jazz orchestra.Currently not on view
Description

Billy Mitchell and The Basie-ites. side 1: Pickin' on the Wrong Chicken; side 2: Satellite Beep Bop (Imperial X5520)
45 rpm.

Tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell of Detroit made these recordings with several other members of Count Basie's legendary jazz orchestra.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1958
composer
Michael
Korgich
recording artist
The Basie-ites
Mitchell, Billy
composer
Young
Bruhn
manufacturer
Imperial
ID Number
1996.0153.18237
catalog number
1996.0153.18237
label number
X5520
accession number
1996.0153

Gilberto & Jobim

João Gilberto with Antonio Carlos Jobim and his Orchestra. Gilberto & Jobim (Capitol T-2160).33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
João Gilberto with Antonio Carlos Jobim and his Orchestra. Gilberto & Jobim (Capitol T-2160).
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1964
recording artist
Gilberto, Joao
Antonio Carlos Jobin and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.750
maker number
T-2160
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.750

On Brave Old Army Team / Anchors Aweigh; Yale "Boola" Song / The Princeton Cannon Song

Jan Garber and his Orchestra. side 1: On Brave Old Army Song [track 1] Anchors Aweigh [track 2]; side 2: Yale "Boola Song" [track 1] The Princeton Cannon Song [track 2] (Capitol 10142), from the album, College Medleys (Capitol CD-95).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Jan Garber and his Orchestra. side 1: On Brave Old Army Song [track 1] Anchors Aweigh [track 2]; side 2: Yale "Boola Song" [track 1] The Princeton Cannon Song [track 2] (Capitol 10142), from the album, College Medleys (Capitol CD-95).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1948
recording artist
Jan Garber and His Orchestra
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1981.0656.518
maker number
10142
CD-95
accession number
1981.0656
catalog number
1981.0656.518

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.