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: 1910s

Pair of Drum Sticks

These drum sticks were made in the United States around 1900 to 1910. There are made of wood.This pair of drum sticks was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters.
Description (Brief)

These drum sticks were made in the United States around 1900 to 1910. There are made of wood.

This pair of drum sticks was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters. Armstrong grew up in South River, New Jersey and began playing drums at the age of 14. He continued his musical career through the mid-1910s, after which, Armstrong began work in banking and finance. This artifact is part of a collection of drums, sound effect instruments, and other percussion instruments used by Armstrong.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900-1910
ID Number
1984.0335.11
catalog number
1984.0335.11
accession number
1984.0335

"Good-Bye, Good Luck, God Bless You (Is All I Can Say)"

This sheet music is for the song, “Good-Bye, Good Luck, God Bless You (Is All I Can Say),” with words by J. Keirn Brennan and music by Ernest R. Ball. It was published by Whitmark and Sons in New York, New York in 1916.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song, “Good-Bye, Good Luck, God Bless You (Is All I Can Say),” with words by J. Keirn Brennan and music by Ernest R. Ball. It was published by Whitmark and Sons in New York, New York in 1916.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1916
lyricist
Brennan, J. Keirn
composer
Ball, Ernest R.
publisher
M. Witmark & Sons
ID Number
1988.0538.13
accession number
1988.0538
catalog number
1988.0538.13

“Be a True American”

This sheet music is for the song “Be a True American.” The lyrics were written by J. Will Callahan and Frank H. Grey and the music was composed by Frank H. Grey. The music was published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Company of New York City in 1917.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “Be a True American.” The lyrics were written by J. Will Callahan and Frank H. Grey and the music was composed by Frank H. Grey. The music was published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Company of New York City in 1917. The red white and blue cover features an image of Anna Held, a popular performer at the time. The song was performed in the show Anna Held’s Visions by Olive Emerson. The illustration is signed by Starmer. The song was an invocation to “be a true American” by joining the military and going to fight for your nation in World War One.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1917
performer
Held, Anna
publisher
Shapiro, Bernstein and Co.
ID Number
1983.0424.028
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.028

Hohner Preciosa Harmonica

This harmonica was made by M. Hohner in Germany, around 1912-1913. It is a Preciosa model in the key of C, with 20 double holes and 40 reeds. This harmonica has a brown stained wooden comb with metal cover plates attached to the top and bottom with screws.
Description

This harmonica was made by M. Hohner in Germany, around 1912-1913. It is a Preciosa model in the key of C, with 20 double holes and 40 reeds. This harmonica has a brown stained wooden comb with metal cover plates attached to the top and bottom with screws. It is stamped:

PRECIOSA
M.HOHNER

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1912-1913
maker
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.393
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.393

Metal Imitation

This imitation was made by Duplex Manufacturing Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, around 1900 to 1910. It is made of metal.This imitation was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters.
Description

This imitation was made by Duplex Manufacturing Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, around 1900 to 1910. It is made of metal.

This imitation was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters. Armstrong grew up in South River, New Jersey and began playing drums at the age of 14. He continued his musical career through the mid-1910s, after which, Armstrong began work in banking and finance. This artifact is part of a collection of drums, sound effect instruments, and other percussion instruments used by Armstrong.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900-1910
ID Number
1984.0335.32
accession number
1984.0335
catalog number
1984.0335.32

Violano Virtuoso Roll

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
maker
Mills Novelty Company
ID Number
MI.283286.01
catalog number
283286.01
accession number
56968

“You're a Great Temptation (I Can't Resist)”

This sheet music is for the song “You're a Great Temptation (I Can't Resist).” George C. Pennington wrote the lyrics to the song and Billy James composed the music. The Globe Music Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania published this sheet music in 1915.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “You're a Great Temptation (I Can't Resist).” George C. Pennington wrote the lyrics to the song and Billy James composed the music. The Globe Music Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania published this sheet music in 1915. The white cover features a colorful illustration of the face of a young brunette woman.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1915
publisher
Globe Music Co.
ID Number
1983.0424.181
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.181

"You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It)"

This sheet music is for the song “You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want to Do It),” with words by Joe McCarthy and music by James V. Monaco. It was published by Broadway Music Corporation in New York, New York in 1913.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want to Do It),” with words by Joe McCarthy and music by James V. Monaco. It was published by Broadway Music Corporation in New York, New York in 1913. This song was popularized by American singer, comedian, and actor Al Jolson (1886-1950).
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1913
referenced
Jolson, Al
publisher
Broadway Music Corporation
ID Number
1983.0694.14
accession number
1983.0694
catalog number
1983.0694.14

“Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm”

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914
publisher
Jerome H. Remick & Co.
ID Number
1983.0424.152
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.152

“Everybody's Doin' It Now”

This sheet music is for the song “Everybody's Doin' It Now” which was written and composed by Irving Berlin and published by the Ted Snyder Company in 1911.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “Everybody's Doin' It Now” which was written and composed by Irving Berlin and published by the Ted Snyder Company in 1911. The cover features an illustration of a man and woman dancing closely together, as well as a circular inset photograph of the Manson Twins on the lower left. The song is advertised “as sung by Lydia Barry at the Winter Garden in New York.” This song was written by Berlin to take advantage of the dance craze sweeping the country at the time.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1911
composer
Berlin, Irving
publisher
Ted Snyder Co.
ID Number
1983.0424.012
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.012

"Stein Song (University of Maine)"

This sheet music is for the song “Stein Song (University of Maine).” E.A Fenstad composed the music, A.W. Sprague arranged the song, and Lincoln Colcord wrote the lyrics. The sheet music was published by Carl Fischer Inc. of New York in 1930.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “Stein Song (University of Maine).” E.A Fenstad composed the music, A.W. Sprague arranged the song, and Lincoln Colcord wrote the lyrics. The sheet music was published by Carl Fischer Inc. of New York in 1930. The white cover features a photograph of Rudy Vallée with his trademark megaphone. This was the University of Maine’s fight song, where Vallée attended from 1921-1922. Vallée recorded the song with his group and it became a number one hit.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1910
1930
depicted (sitter)
Vallee, Rudy
publisher
Carl Fischer Inc.
ID Number
1983.0424.104
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.104

"I'm an American, That's All"

This sheet music is for the song “I'm an American, That's All,” with words by Harry D. Kerr and music by Johann C. Schmid. It was published by New Amsterdam Music Co. in New York, New York in 1915.The cover art for this sheet music was made by American artist Edward H.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “I'm an American, That's All,” with words by Harry D. Kerr and music by Johann C. Schmid. It was published by New Amsterdam Music Co. in New York, New York in 1915.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by American artist Edward H. Pfeiffer (1868-1932). Pfeiffer was active from 1892 to the early 1930s, creating cover art for over 100 music publishers.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1915
publisher
New Amsterdam Music Corporation
ID Number
1984.0024.04
accession number
1984.0024
catalog number
1984.0024.04

"Come Back Dixie"

This sheet music is for the song "Come Back, Dixie," with words by Jack Mahoney and music by Percy Wenrich. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1915.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song "Come Back, Dixie," with words by Jack Mahoney and music by Percy Wenrich. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1915. The cover features an image of the musical group the Avon Comedy Four, who performed this song.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1915
lyricist
Mahoney, Jack
composer
Wenrich, Percy
depicted (sitter)
Avon Comedy Four
maker
Leo Feist, Inc.
ID Number
2017.3021.306
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.306

Ziegfeld Follies of 1911

This sheet music features songs from the musical revue Ziegfeld Follies of 1911 at the Jardin de Paris, with words and music by Vincent Bryan and Irving Berlin.
Description
This sheet music features songs from the musical revue Ziegfeld Follies of 1911 at the Jardin de Paris, with words and music by Vincent Bryan and Irving Berlin. This sheet music includes the songs, “You’ve Built a Fire Down in My Heart,” “Woodman, Woodman, Spare That Tree” and “Dog Gone That Chilly Man.”
Location
Currently not on view
date used
1911
publisher
Ted Snyder Co.
ID Number
1987.0239.14
accession number
1987.0239
catalog number
1987.0239.14

“That International Rag”

This sheet music for the song “That International Rag” was composed by Irving Berlin, and published by the Waterson, Berlin, and Snyder Company in New York, New York, in 1913. “That International Rag,” was composed by Berlin on his tour to England.
Description
This sheet music for the song “That International Rag” was composed by Irving Berlin, and published by the Waterson, Berlin, and Snyder Company in New York, New York, in 1913. “That International Rag,” was composed by Berlin on his tour to England. After a disastrous press conference where Berlin gave the false impression he had no musical talent, he composed this tune overnight, and played it to great success the next day at London’s Hippodrome. The cover shows Uncle Sam conducting a choir of various nationalities in the tune, with an inset image of actress Goldie Moore.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1913
composer; lyricist
Berlin, Irving
performer
Moore, Goldie
publisher
Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co.
ID Number
1980.0693.11A
accession number
1980.0693
catalog number
1980.0693.11A

"Nobody Knows (And Nobody Seems To Care)"

This sheet music is for the song “Mother of Mine I Still Have You,” by Al Jolson, Louis Silver and Grant Clarke. It was published by Irving Berlin, Inc. in New York, New York in 1927.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Mother of Mine I Still Have You,” by Al Jolson, Louis Silver and Grant Clarke. It was published by Irving Berlin, Inc. in New York, New York in 1927.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1919
publisher
Irving Berlin, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0238.08
accession number
1985.0238
catalog number
1985.0238.08

"The Alcoholic Blues"

This sheet music is for the song "The Alcoholic Blues," with words by Edward Laska and music by Al Von Tizler. It was published by Broadway Music Corp. in New York, New York in 1919.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song "The Alcoholic Blues," with words by Edward Laska and music by Al Von Tizler. It was published by Broadway Music Corp. in New York, New York in 1919.
Location
Currently not on view
publication date
1919
publisher
Broadway Music Corporation
ID Number
1985.0624.15
accession number
1985.0624
catalog number
1985.0624.15

Violano Virtuoso Roll

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
maker
Mills Novelty Company
ID Number
MI.283286.04
catalog number
283286.04
accession number
56968
maker number
2603

“Till We Meet Again”

This sheet music is for the song “Till We Meet Again.”The song was written by Raymond B. Egan and composed by Richard A. Whiting. The music was published by Jerome H. Remick & Company of New York, New York.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Till We Meet Again.”The song was written by Raymond B. Egan and composed by Richard A. Whiting. The music was published by Jerome H. Remick & Company of New York, New York. The cover image features an image of an officer clutching a woman to his chest while he fades into the shadows; the woman is reclining against him holding a rose in her hand.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1918
composer
Whiting, Richard A.
lyricist
Egan, Raymond B.
publisher
Jerome H. Remick & Co.
ID Number
1982.0736.13
accession number
1982.0736
catalog number
1982.0736.13

"Somebody's Coming To My House"

This sheet music is for the song “Somebody’s Coming To My House,” by Irving Berlin. It was published by Waterson, Berlin, and Snyder Co. in New York, New York in 1913.The cover art for this sheet music was made by Irish-American artist John Frew (1874-1955).
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Somebody’s Coming To My House,” by Irving Berlin. It was published by Waterson, Berlin, and Snyder Co. in New York, New York in 1913.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by Irish-American artist John Frew (1874-1955). Frew immigrated to the United States in 1895. He was active through the mid-1940s and also created cover artwork for magazines and book covers.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1913
publisher
Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co.
ID Number
1985.0238.13
accession number
1985.0238
catalog number
1985.0238.13

Chic Chic Chic Chic Chicken

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1913
depicted (sitter)
Wynn, Bessie
maker
Penn Music Co.
ID Number
2017.3021.295
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.295

“If He Can Fight Like He Can Love, Good Night, Germany!”

This sheet music is for the song “If He Can Fight Like He Can Love, Good Night, Germany!” The lyrics were written by Grant Clarke and Howard E. Rogers, and the music was composed by George Wimeyer. The sheet music was published by Leo Feist Inc. of New York, New York in 1918.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “If He Can Fight Like He Can Love, Good Night, Germany!” The lyrics were written by Grant Clarke and Howard E. Rogers, and the music was composed by George Wimeyer. The sheet music was published by Leo Feist Inc. of New York, New York in 1918. The cover features a grey background with four red roses growing up from a green ground. There is a photograph of Ray Samuels in the center of the cover. This sheet music was a “War Edition,” printed on a smaller sheet to help conserve paper for the war effort.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1918
lyricist
Clarke, Grant
Rogers, Howard E.
composer
Meyer, George W.
singer
Samuels, Ray
publisher
Feist, Leo
ID Number
1982.0736.04
accession number
1982.0736
catalog number
1982.0736.04

“Peg O' My Heart”

The sheet music for the song, “Peg of My Heart,” was written by Alfred Bryan and composed by Fred Fisher. The sheet music was published by Leo Feist Inc., of New York, New York in 1913. The song was “written around J.
Description (Brief)
The sheet music for the song, “Peg of My Heart,” was written by Alfred Bryan and composed by Fred Fisher. The sheet music was published by Leo Feist Inc., of New York, New York in 1913. The song was “written around J. Hartley Manners wonderful character ‘Peg’ in Oliver Morosco’s production of the comedy ‘Peg o’ My Heart’ at the Cort Theatre N.Y. , Dedicated to the Star, Miss Laurette Taylor.” The cover features an image of Laurette Taylor seated with a trunk on her lap, cradling a small dog.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1913
lyricist
Bryan, Alfred
composer
Fisher, Fred
performer
Taylor, Laurette
publisher
Leo Feist, Inc.
ID Number
1980.0693.11C
accession number
1980.0693
catalog number
1980.0693.11C

"By the Beautiful Sea"

This sheet music is for the song “By the Beautiful Sea,” with words by Harold R. Atteridge and music by Harry Carroll. It was published by Shapiro, Bernstein and Co. in New York, New York in 1914.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “By the Beautiful Sea,” with words by Harold R. Atteridge and music by Harry Carroll. It was published by Shapiro, Bernstein and Co. in New York, New York in 1914. The cover features a beach scene and an inset of the vocal group Stanford Four, who after 1922 was known as the Shannon Four.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by American artist Edward H. Pfeiffer (1868-1932). Pfeiffer was active from 1892 to the early 1930s, creating cover art for over 100 music publishers.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1914
publisher
Shapiro, Bernstein & Co.
ID Number
1984.1117.06
accession number
1984.1117
catalog number
1984.1117.06

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