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.

Date: 1970s

Wall with Roy Acuff Poster

Often called the "King of Country Music." Roy Acuff had a career that spanned many facets of the music business, as a performer and as the first publisher of country sheet music. His first break came with his recording of "The Great Speckled Bird," in 1936.
Description
Often called the "King of Country Music." Roy Acuff had a career that spanned many facets of the music business, as a performer and as the first publisher of country sheet music. His first break came with his recording of "The Great Speckled Bird," in 1936. In 1937, he became a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry, and his relationship with the Opry and its fans would last the rest of his life.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
print
2003
recording artist
Acuff, Roy
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.110
catalog number
2003.0169.110
accession number
2003.0169

Jethro Burns

Jethro Burns (1920-1989) was half of the Grammy-winning country comedy duo, Homer and Jethro, which performed from 1936 to 1971.
Description
Jethro Burns (1920-1989) was half of the Grammy-winning country comedy duo, Homer and Jethro, which performed from 1936 to 1971. Such hits as "I've Got Tears in My Ears from Lying on My Back in Bed While I Cry Over You," reveal his sense of humor more than his exceptional and influential mandolin playing.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1976
print
2003
Associated Name
Burns, Jethro
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.102
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.102

Arlo Guthrie

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1971
depicted (sitter)
Guthrie, Arlo
maker
Powers, Mark James
ID Number
2013.0222.30
catalog number
2013.0222.30
accession number
2013.0222

The Sunshine Boys

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1973
ID Number
2005.3021.014
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.014

Westchester Premier Theatre: Liza Minnelli

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1976
referenced
Minnelli, Liza
ID Number
2005.3021.128
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.128

Arnaud and Isabel de Rosnay

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1974-03
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.062
catalog number
2014.0112.062
accession number
2014.0112

Evel Knievel's Harley-Davidson XR-750

More than a daredevil, Evel Knievel combined sportsmanship and show business to become one of the most famous performers in America. The perils of his sport—making a motorcycle "fly" over a row of vehicles—clearly were not for the average rider.
Description
More than a daredevil, Evel Knievel combined sportsmanship and show business to become one of the most famous performers in America. The perils of his sport—making a motorcycle "fly" over a row of vehicles—clearly were not for the average rider. Many of his jumps were successful; but in some spectacular crashes, Knievel fractured 35 to 40 bones. His visually stunning, suspenseful performances were perfectly suited to television and were especially exciting because of the chance that he might crash.
Knievel's shows were a celebration of America's love affair with motor vehicles. His pre-jump show featured motorcycle "wheelies" and off-beat vehicles, and he jumped almost exclusively over rows of automobiles, trucks, and buses. By performing at stadiums and coliseums, Knievel perpetuated the tradition of live thrill shows for local audiences. But national and international media coverage of his jumps placed him in a league with some of the world's best-known entertainers.
Knievel rode this motorcycle during some of his most spectacular jumps. By carefully coordinating his angle, thrust, and speed, which reached 90 to 100 miles per hour at takeoff, he remained in the air for as far as 165 feet. He chose (and customized) this motorcycle, a 1972 Harley-Davidson XR-750, because it was a light, dependable racing machine. Made of steel, aluminum, and fiberglass, it weighs approximately 300 pounds.
Location
Currently on loan
Date made
1972
user
Knievel, Evel
maker
Harley-Davidson
ID Number
1994.0306.01
accession number
1994.0306
catalog number
1994.0306.01

Remember Me; How About You

Diana Ross. side 1: Remember Me; side 2: How About You (Motown M 1176)45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Diana Ross. side 1: Remember Me; side 2: How About You (Motown M 1176)
45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970
recording artist
Ross, Diana
manufacturer
Motown
ID Number
1996.3034.06749
label number
M 1176
catalog number
1996.3034.06749
nonaccession number
1996.3034

Westbury Music Fair: Bob Newhart and Anthony Newley

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
referenced
Newley, Anthony
ID Number
2005.3021.124
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.124

Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis (b. 1935) one of the first rockabilly artists, was known for his hit songs "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" (1957) and "Great Balls of Fire" (1961).
Description
Jerry Lee Lewis (b. 1935) one of the first rockabilly artists, was known for his hit songs "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" (1957) and "Great Balls of Fire" (1961). Lewis's flamboyant style and sound grew out of his Louisiana upbringing, a mix of traditional country and gospel, boogie woogie on the radio, and music he heard at his uncle's honky-tonk.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1975
print
2003
Associated Name
Lewis, Jerry Lee
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.101
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.101

Bailadores: Celia Cruz con la Sonora Matancera

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975
ID Number
2016.0032.065
accession number
2016.0032
catalog number
2016.0032.065

D.C.; The Crime Stoppers Club

Record from a DC area crime stoppers club. The record is wrapped in a piece of thin white paper and has a white label with blue print around the center. The label on the record features a Crime Stoppers Stamp Out Crime logo with a person stamping on a shadow.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Record from a DC area crime stoppers club. The record is wrapped in a piece of thin white paper and has a white label with blue print around the center. The label on the record features a Crime Stoppers Stamp Out Crime logo with a person stamping on a shadow.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1972
recording artist
Crime Stoppers Club
ID Number
1987.0743.003
accession number
1987.0743
catalog number
1987.0743.003

Westchester Premier Thatre: Steve & Edyie

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1977
referenced
Lawrence, Steve
Gorme, Eydie
Rivers, Joan
ID Number
2005.3021.127
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.127

Marvel Comic's Super Heroes Thermos

This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1976. It has a screw-on black plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on beige plastic stopper.
Description (Brief)
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1976. It has a screw-on black plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on beige plastic stopper. The bottle is the companion to lunch box object number 2003.3070.11.01, and shows images of Marvel’s super heroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, and the Hulk.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1976
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.11.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.11.02

I Think I Love You; Somebody Wants To Love You

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970
recording artist
Partridge Family
manufacturer
Bell
ID Number
1996.3034.05850
label number
910
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.05850

Lenny

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1971
ID Number
2005.3021.010
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.010

Program Seller

The program seller, "Black Cat" was a familiar face to many in Nashville.Currently not on view
Description
The program seller, "Black Cat" was a familiar face to many in Nashville.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.059
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.059

(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear; Puppet On a String

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1978
recording artist
Presley, Elvis
manufacturer
RCA
ID Number
1996.3034.06172
catalog number
1996.3034.06172
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
PB-11320

Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy; Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy

David Bowie and Bing Crosby. side 1: Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy; side 2: Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy (RCA JV-13400)45 rpmCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
David Bowie and Bing Crosby. side 1: Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy; side 2: Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy (RCA JV-13400)
45 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1977
recording artist
Bowie, David
Crosby, Bing
manufacturer
RCA
ID Number
2000.3053.2213
label number
JV-13400
catalog number
2000.3053.2213
nonaccession number
2000.3053

Blue Angel Jazz Club - Pasadena Jazz Party Button

This button is from the Blue Angel Jazz Club Party, in Pasadena, California, in 1971. It is made of yellow paper with black ink covered with a clear film, on a two-piece metal button with a pin back.
Description

This button is from the Blue Angel Jazz Club Party, in Pasadena, California, in 1971. It is made of yellow paper with black ink covered with a clear film, on a two-piece metal button with a pin back. The button is printed:

[logo of Blue Angel Jazz Club]
1971
JAZZ CLUB
PASEDENA
222

The Blue Angel Club sponsored private jazz parties in an informal and relaxed atmosphere, bringing together great musicians and devoted and appreciative audiences. A few recordings were made from these parties from 1968-1974.

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1971
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.023
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.022

Same Time Next Year

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1975
ID Number
2005.3021.018
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.018

Spring Jazzfest Button

This button is from the Spring Jazzfest at Griswold’s Old School House, in Claremont, California, in 1978. It is made of white paper with blue ink covered with a clear film, on a two-piece metal button with a pin back.
Description

This button is from the Spring Jazzfest at Griswold’s Old School House, in Claremont, California, in 1978. It is made of white paper with blue ink covered with a clear film, on a two-piece metal button with a pin back. The button is printed:

GRISWOLD'S OLD SCHOOL HOUSE
1978
[image of trumpet]
SPRING
JAZZFEST
650
SUPPORTED BY THE UNITED JAZZ CLUBS OF SO. CALIF.

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1978
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.015
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.015

Playbill: Gershwin on Film

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973
ID Number
2016.3009.301
nonaccession number
2016.3009
catalog number
2016.3009.301

Pippin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1973
ID Number
2005.3021.015
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.015

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.