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.

Alexander Kipnis with Balalaika Orchestra. side 1: The Recruit's Farewell; side 2: Soldier's Song (Victor 10-1013), from the album, Russian Folk Songs (Victor M 917).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Alexander Kipnis with Balalaika Orchestra. side 1: The Recruit's Farewell; side 2: Soldier's Song (Victor 10-1013), from the album, Russian Folk Songs (Victor M 917).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1943
recording artist
Balalaika Orchestra
Kipnis, Alexander
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1979.1023.144
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
M 917
10-1013
catalog number
1979.1023.144
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Stompin' at the Savot; side 2: Breakin' in a Pair of Shoes (Victor 25247).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Stompin' at the Savot; side 2: Breakin' in a Pair of Shoes (Victor 25247).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.1059
catalog number
1988.0698.1059
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G31
maker number
25247
Paul Robeson. Ballad for Americans (Victor 26516) 2-disc set. (album for 1988.0384.47 - .48).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.
Description

Paul Robeson. Ballad for Americans (Victor 26516) 2-disc set. (album for 1988.0384.47 - .48).
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
1988.0384.46
accession number
1988.0384
catalog number
1988.0384.46-48
maker number
P 20
catalog number
1988.0384.46
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: King Porter; side 2: Sometimes I'm Happy (Victor 25090).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
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
1988.0698.1058
catalog number
1988.0698.1058
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G30
maker number
25090
All-American Glee Club. College Songs, Vol. 3 – Southern (Victor P 34). 3-disc set (album for 1988.0384.23-.-25).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
All-American Glee Club. College Songs, Vol. 3 – Southern (Victor P 34). 3-disc set (album for 1988.0384.23-.-25).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1940
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.22
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
P 34
catalog number
1988.0384.22
Paul Robison. side 1: Ballad for Americans [part 1]; side 2: Ballad for Americans [part 2] (Victor 26516), from the album, Ballad For Americans (Victor P 20).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Paul Robison. side 1: Ballad for Americans [part 1]; side 2: Ballad for Americans [part 2] (Victor 26516), from the album, Ballad For Americans (Victor P 20).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
American People's Chorus
Robeson, Paul
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1980.0339.30
maker number
P 20
catalog number
1980.0339.30
accession number
1980.0339
maker number
26516
Sidney Bechet and his New Orleans Feetwarmers. side 1: Oh! Lady Be Good; side 2: Rose Room (Victor 27707).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Sidney Bechet and his New Orleans Feetwarmers. side 1: Oh! Lady Be Good; side 2: Rose Room (Victor 27707).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
recording artist
Sidney Bechet and his New Orleans Feetwarmers
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
2014.0105.11
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.11
maker number
27707
Sidney Bechet and his New Orleans Feetwarmers. side 1: Laughin' in Rhythm; side 2: Rip Up the Joint (Victor 27663).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Sidney Bechet and his New Orleans Feetwarmers. side 1: Laughin' in Rhythm; side 2: Rip Up the Joint (Victor 27663).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
recording artist
Sidney Bechet and his New Orleans Feetwarmers
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
2014.0105.10
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.10
maker number
27663
Kane’s Hawaiians. side 1: Drowsy Waters; side 2: Hilo–Hawaiian March. (Victor 20702).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Kane’s Hawaiians. side 1: Drowsy Waters; side 2: Hilo–Hawaiian March. (Victor 20702).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1927
maker
Victor
ID Number
2019.0079.09
catalog number
2019.0079.09
accession number
2019.0079
maker number
20702
Artie Shaw and his Orchestra. side 1: Moonglow; side 2: Serenade to a Savage (Victor 27549), from the album. Artie Shaw: Four Star Favorites (P 85).,78rpm. Side 1 was original recorded in 1941 and released on Victor 27405.
Description
Artie Shaw and his Orchestra. side 1: Moonglow; side 2: Serenade to a Savage (Victor 27549), from the album. Artie Shaw: Four Star Favorites (P 85).,
78rpm. Side 1 was original recorded in 1941 and released on Victor 27405. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1939 and released on Bluebird B-10385 in 1939. The album was released in 1941.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1941
recording date
1939
recording artist
Artie Shaw and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
2014.0105.81
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.81
maker number
27549
P 85
side 1: Dinah Shore. Mood Indigo; side 2: Sidney Bechet. Muskrat Ramble (Victor 27302), from the album, NBC's Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street (Victor P 56).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1940. The album was released in 1941.Currently not on view
Description
side 1: Dinah Shore. Mood Indigo; side 2: Sidney Bechet. Muskrat Ramble (Victor 27302), from the album, NBC's Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street (Victor P 56).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1940. The album was released in 1941.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
release date
1941
recording artist
Shore, Dinah
Bechet, Sidney
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
2014.0105.76
accession number
2014.0105
catalog number
2014.0105.76
maker number
27302
P 56
Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra. side 1: Turn Off the Moon; side 2: Jammin' (Victor 25553).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra. side 1: Turn Off the Moon; side 2: Jammin' (Victor 25553).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
recording artist
Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.404
maker number
25553
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.404
Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra. side 1: Marie; side 2: Who? (Victor 27519).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra. side 1: Marie; side 2: Who? (Victor 27519).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
recording artist
Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.443
maker number
27519
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.443
Artie Shaw and his Gramercy Five. side 1: Special Delivery Stomp; side 2: Keepin' Myself for You (Victor 26762).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Artie Shaw and his Gramercy Five. side 1: Special Delivery Stomp; side 2: Keepin' Myself for You (Victor 26762).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
Artie Shaw and his Gramercy Five
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.417
maker number
26762
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.417
Artie Shaw and his Gramercy Five. The Grabtown Grapple; side 2: The Sad Sack (Victor 20-1647).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Artie Shaw and his Gramercy Five. The Grabtown Grapple; side 2: The Sad Sack (Victor 20-1647).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
recording artist
Artie Shaw and his Gramercy Five
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.410
maker number
20-1647
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.410
Fats Waller and his Rhythm. side 1: Oh! Frenchy; side 2: It's a Sin to Tell a Lie (Victor 20-1595).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1940 and released on Bluebird B-10658. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1936 and released on Victor 25342.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Fats Waller and his Rhythm. side 1: Oh! Frenchy; side 2: It's a Sin to Tell a Lie (Victor 20-1595).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1940 and released on Bluebird B-10658. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1936 and released on Victor 25342.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
1936
recording artist
Fats Waller and his Rhythm
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.428
maker number
20-1595
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.428
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Don't Be That Way; side 2: One O'Clock Jump (Victor 25792).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Don't Be That Way; side 2: One O'Clock Jump (Victor 25792).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1938
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.435
maker number
25792
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.435
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: I've Found a New Baby; side 2: Swingtime in the Rockies (Victor 25355).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: I've Found a New Baby; side 2: Swingtime in the Rockies (Victor 25355).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.436
maker number
25355
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.436
Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. side 1: Here We Go Again; side 2: Long Time No See, Baby (Victor 20-1563).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1942. Side 2 was recorded in 1940.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. side 1: Here We Go Again; side 2: Long Time No See, Baby (Victor 20-1563).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1942. Side 2 was recorded in 1940.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
1940
recording artist
Glenn Miller and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.414
maker number
20-1563
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.414
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Alexander's Ragtime Band; side 2: Riffin' at the Ritz (Victor 25445).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Alexander's Ragtime Band; side 2: Riffin' at the Ritz (Victor 25445).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.407
maker number
25445
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.407
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
1978.0670.416
maker number
25115
catalog number
1978.0670.416
accession number
1978.0670
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: Don't Get Around Much Anymore; side 2: Cotton Tail (Victor 26610).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: Don't Get Around Much Anymore; side 2: Cotton Tail (Victor 26610).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.438
maker number
26610
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.438
Fats Waller and his Rhthym. side 1: Somebody Stole My Gal; side 2: Sugar Blues (Victor 25194).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Fats Waller and his Rhthym. side 1: Somebody Stole My Gal; side 2: Sugar Blues (Victor 25194).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1935
recording artist
Fats Waller and his Rhythm
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.429
maker number
25194
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.429
Artie Shaw and his Orchestra. side 1: Danza Lucimi; side 2: Chantez Les Bas (Victor 27354).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Artie Shaw and his Orchestra. side 1: Danza Lucimi; side 2: Chantez Les Bas (Victor 27354).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
Artie Shaw and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.412
maker number
27354
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.412

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