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.

side 1: "Fats" Waller and his Rhythm. side 1: Two Sleepy People; side 2: "Fats" Waller and his Buddies. The Minor Drag (Victor 20-1583), from the album, "Fats" Waller Favorites (Victor P 151)78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1938 and released on Bluebird B-10000.
Description (Brief)
side 1: "Fats" Waller and his Rhythm. side 1: Two Sleepy People; side 2: "Fats" Waller and his Buddies. The Minor Drag (Victor 20-1583), from the album, "Fats" Waller Favorites (Victor P 151)78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1938 and released on Bluebird B-10000. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1929 and released on Victor V-38050. The album was released in 1944.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1938
1929
recording artist
Fats Waller and his Rhythm
Fats Waller and his Buddies
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0375.41
accession number
1988.0375
catalog number
1988.0375.41
maker number
20-1583
P 151
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: Ring Dem Bells; side 2: Mood Indigo (Victor 20-1532), from the album, A Duke Ellington Panorama (Victor P-138).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1930. The album was released in 1943.Currently not on view
Description
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: Ring Dem Bells; side 2: Mood Indigo (Victor 20-1532), from the album, A Duke Ellington Panorama (Victor P-138).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1930. The album was released in 1943.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1930
release date
1943
recording artist
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.667
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
20-1532
P-138
catalog number
1978.0670.667
All-American Glee Club. side 1: Alabama's Day/Song of the Crimson Tide (track 1) Fight 'Em Tigers/Alma Mater (track 2); side 2: Kentucky! Fight, Fight, Fight/On, On U. of K. (track 1) Spirit of the Hill/Fight Vols, Fight!
Description
All-American Glee Club. side 1: Alabama's Day/Song of the Crimson Tide (track 1) Fight 'Em Tigers/Alma Mater (track 2); side 2: Kentucky! Fight, Fight, Fight/On, On U. of K. (track 1) Spirit of the Hill/Fight Vols, Fight! (track 2) (Victor 26682), 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
1988.0384.23
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
26682
catalog number
1988.0384.23
maker number
P 34
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Christopher Columbus; side 2: Get Happy (Victor 25279).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Christopher Columbus; side 2: Get Happy (Victor 25279).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
composer
Arlen, Harold
Razaf, Andy
lyricist
Koehler, Ted
composer
Berry, Chu
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1993.0102.081
catalog number
1993.0102.081
accession number
1993.0102
maker number
25279
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. Exactly Like You; side 2: Benny Goodman Trio. Love Me Or Leave Me (Victor 25406).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. Exactly Like You; side 2: Benny Goodman Trio. Love Me Or Leave Me (Victor 25406).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
Benny Goodman Trio
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1981.0566.117
maker number
25406
accession number
1981.0566
catalog number
1981.0566.117
Benny Goodman Quartet. side 1: Moon Glow; side 2: Dinah (Victor 25398).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman Quartet. side 1: Moon Glow; side 2: Dinah (Victor 25398).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman Quartet
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.1094
catalog number
1988.0698.1094
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G65
maker number
25398
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Sing Sing Sing [part 1]; side 2: Sing Sing Sing [part 2] (Victor 25796).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Sing Sing Sing [part 1]; side 2: Sing Sing Sing [part 2] (Victor 25796).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.1071
catalog number
1988.0698.1071
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G42
maker number
25796
Benny Goodman Quartet. side 1: Dinah; side 2: Moonglow (Victor 25398).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Benny Goodman Quartet. side 1: Dinah; side 2: Moonglow (Victor 25398).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman Quartet
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1981.0566.116
maker number
25398
accession number
1981.0566
catalog number
1981.0566.116
All-American Glee Club. side 1: Come, Join the Band/Sons of the Stanford Red/Hail, Stanford, Hail; side 2: Bow Down to Washington/Alma Mater (Victor 26685), from the album, College Songs, Vol. 4 - Pacific Coast (Victor P 36).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
All-American Glee Club. side 1: Come, Join the Band/Sons of the Stanford Red/Hail, Stanford, Hail; side 2: Bow Down to Washington/Alma Mater (Victor 26685), from the album, College Songs, Vol. 4 - Pacific Coast (Victor P 36).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.27
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
26685
catalog number
1988.0384.27
maker number
P 36
John and Lucy Allison with Sawyer's Minutemen. side 1: The Chieftain's Bride; side 2: The Bombardment of Bristol, R.I. (Victor 26459), from the album, Ballads of the American Revolution and The War of 1812 (Victor P-11).78 rpm.
Description
John and Lucy Allison with Sawyer's Minutemen. side 1: The Chieftain's Bride; side 2: The Bombardment of Bristol, R.I. (Victor 26459), from the album, Ballads of the American Revolution and The War of 1812 (Victor P-11).
78 rpm.
recording date
1939
recording artist
Allison, John
Allison, Lucy
Sawyer's Minutemen
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1979.1023.150
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
P-11
26459
catalog number
1979.1023.150
side 1: The Dixieland Jazz Group of "NBC's Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street" with Lena Horne.
Description
side 1: The Dixieland Jazz Group of "NBC's Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street" with Lena Horne. Beale Street Blues; side 2: The Dixieland Jazz Group of "NBC's Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street." Joe Turner Blues (Victor 27543), from the album, The Birth of the Blues: An Album Of W.C. Handy Music (Victor P 82).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
recording artist
Horne, Lena
Dixieland Jazz Group of NBC's CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY of Lower Basin Street
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1979.1023.155
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
27543
P 82
catalog number
1979.1023.155
Paul Robeson.
Description

Paul Robeson. side 1: Ballad for Americans (part 3); side 2: Ballad for Americans (part 4) (Victor 26517), from the album, Ballad for Americans (Victor P 20).
78 rpm

"Ballad for Americans" (1939), originally titled "The Ballad for Uncle Sam", is an American patriotic cantata with lyrics by John La Touche and music by Earl Robinson. It was written for the Federal Theatre Project production, Sing for Your Supper which opened on April 24, 1939 at the Adelphi Theatre in New York City, and ran for 44 performances.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
Robeson, Paul
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.48
accession number
1988.0384
catalog number
1988.0384.48
maker number
26517
P 20
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Sing, Sing, Sing [part 1]; side 2: Sing, Sing, Sing [part 2] (Victor 36205).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Sing, Sing, Sing [part 1]; side 2: Sing, Sing, Sing [part 2] (Victor 36205).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
Prima, Louis
Goodman, Benny
Schertzer, A.
Rollini, Arthur
Koenig, G.
Musso, Vido
James, H.
Griffin, G.
Elman, Z.
McEachern, Murray
Ballard, S.
Goodman, Harry
Stacey, J.
Ruess, A.
Krupa, Gene
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.2483
catalog number
1988.0698.2483
accession number
1988.0698
maker number
36205
collector/donor number
12-28
Benny Goodman Quartet. side 1: Liza; side 2: Smiles (Victor 25660).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman Quartet. side 1: Liza; side 2: Smiles (Victor 25660).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
recording artist
Benny Goodman Quartet
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.1103
catalog number
1988.0698.1103
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G74
maker number
25660
Bunny Berigan and his Orchestra. side 1: 'Deed I Do; side 2: High Society (Victor 20-1503), from the album, Bunny Berigan Memorial Album (Victor P-134).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1938 and released on Victor 26113.
Description
Bunny Berigan and his Orchestra. side 1: 'Deed I Do; side 2: High Society (Victor 20-1503), from the album, Bunny Berigan Memorial Album (Victor P-134).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1938 and released on Victor 26113. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1938 and released on Victor 26068. The album was released in 1944.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1938
release date
1944
recording artist
Bunny Berigan and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.675
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
20-1503
P-134
catalog number
1978.0670.675
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Somebody Loves Me; side 2: Jam Session (Victor 25497).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Somebody Loves Me; side 2: Jam Session (Victor 25497).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.1067
catalog number
1988.0698.1067
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G39
maker number
25497
Texas Jim Robertson. side 1: Ridin' Old Paint (And Leadin' Old Dan); side 2: The Texas Song (Victor 27553), from the album, 'Round the Campfire: Famous American Cowboy Songs (Victor P-84).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Texas Jim Robertson. side 1: Ridin' Old Paint (And Leadin' Old Dan); side 2: The Texas Song (Victor 27553), from the album, 'Round the Campfire: Famous American Cowboy Songs (Victor P-84).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
recording artist
Robertson, Texas Jim
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05234
maker number
27553
P-84
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05234
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Bugle Call Rag; side 2: Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra. After You've Gone (Victor 25467).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Bugle Call Rag; side 2: Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra. After You've Gone (Victor 25467).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.1066
catalog number
1988.0698.1066
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G38
maker number
25467
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. Love Me Or Leave Me; side 2: Benny Goodman Trio. Exactly Like You (Victor 25406).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. Love Me Or Leave Me; side 2: Benny Goodman Trio. Exactly Like You (Victor 25406).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
Benny Goodman Trio
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.1087
catalog number
1988.0698.1087
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G58
maker number
25406
Texas Jim Robertson. side 1: Ridin' Old Paint (And Leadin' Old Dan); side 2: The Texas Song (Victor 27553), from the album, 'Round the Campfire: Famous American Cowboy Songs (Victor P-84).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Texas Jim Robertson. side 1: Ridin' Old Paint (And Leadin' Old Dan); side 2: The Texas Song (Victor 27553), from the album, 'Round the Campfire: Famous American Cowboy Songs (Victor P-84).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
recording artist
Robertson, Texas Jim
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05230
maker number
27553
P-84
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05230
John and Lucy Allison with Sawyer's Minutemen. side 1: The Constitution and the Guerriere [track 1] Hey Betty Martin!
Description
John and Lucy Allison with Sawyer's Minutemen. side 1: The Constitution and the Guerriere [track 1] Hey Betty Martin! [track 2] side 2: Hunters of Kentucky [track 1] Ye Parliment of England [track 2] (Victor 26462), from the album, Ballads of the American Revolution and The War of 1812 (Victor P-11).
78 rpm.
recording date
1939
recording artist
Allison, John
Allison, Lucy
Minute Men
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1979.1023.153
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
P-11
26462
catalog number
1979.1023.153
Benny Goodman Trio. side 1: Body and Soul; side 2: Tiger Rag (Victor 40-0106), 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: Body and Soul; side 2: Tiger Rag (Victor 40-0106), 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 25481. 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
1978.0670.670
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
40-0106
HJ-2
catalog number
1978.0670.670
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: King Porter; side 2: Sometimes I'm Happy (Victor 25090).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: King Porter; side 2: Sometimes I'm Happy (Victor 25090).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1935
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1981.0566.115
maker number
25090
accession number
1981.0566
catalog number
1981.0566.115
All-American Glee Club. side 1: Alma Mater (track 1) Lord Geoffrey Amherst (track 2); side 2: Fight On, Pennsylvania (track 1) Red snd Blue (track 2) (Victor 26671), from the album, College Songs, Vol. 1 - Eastern Vol. (Victor P 32).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
All-American Glee Club. side 1: Alma Mater (track 1) Lord Geoffrey Amherst (track 2); side 2: Fight On, Pennsylvania (track 1) Red snd Blue (track 2) (Victor 26671), from the album, College Songs, Vol. 1 - Eastern Vol. (Victor P 32).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.21
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
26671
catalog number
1988.0384.21
maker number
P 32

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