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.

Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Taking a Chance on Love; side 2: Cabin in the Sky (Columbia 35869).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Taking a Chance on Love; side 2: Cabin in the Sky (Columbia 35869).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1980.0314.55
maker number
35869
accession number
1980.0314
catalog number
1980.0314.55
The Dave Brubeck Quartet. Bossa Nova U.S.A. (Columbia CL 1998).33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
The Dave Brubeck Quartet. Bossa Nova U.S.A. (Columbia CL 1998).
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1963
recording artist
Dave Brubeck Quartet
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.781
maker number
CL 1998
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.781
Chris Powell and The Five Blue Flames. side 1: Down in the Bottom; side 2: Hauntin' Pinochle Blues (Columbia 30205).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Chris Powell and The Five Blue Flames. side 1: Down in the Bottom; side 2: Hauntin' Pinochle Blues (Columbia 30205).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950
recording artist; composer
Powell, Chris
recording artist
Chris Powell and The Five Blue Flames
composer
Theard, Sam
Brannon, Teddy
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.3034.10962
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
30205
catalog number
1996.3034.10962
side 1: Men's Chorus with South Pacific Orchestra. Bloody Mary: side 2: William Tabbert with South Pacific Orchestra.
Description

side 1: Men's Chorus with South Pacific Orchestra. Bloody Mary: side 2: William Tabbert with South Pacific Orchestra. Younger Than Springtime (Columbia 4560-M), from the album, South Pacific (Columbia MM-850).
78 rpm.

This recording is of the Original Broadway cast for the 1949 musicalSouth Pacific, composed by Richard Rogers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan. South Pacific opened at the Majestic Theatre on April 7, 1949, running for 1,925 performances. It received ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Libretto, including awards in all four acting categories for Mary Martin, Ezio Pinza, Juanita Hall, and Myron McCormick. In 1950, the musical won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Tabbert, William
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1980.0339.27
accession number
1980.0339
maker number
4560-M
MM-850
catalog number
1980.0339.27
side 1: Benny Goodman Quartet. The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise; side 2: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. Solo Flight (Columbia 36684).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1942. Side 2 was recorded in 1941.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
side 1: Benny Goodman Quartet. The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise; side 2: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. Solo Flight (Columbia 36684).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1942. Side 2 was recorded in 1941.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
1941
recording artist
Benny Goodman Quartet
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1988.0698.1107
catalog number
1988.0698.1107
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G78
maker number
36684
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: My Blue Heaven; side 2: Put That Kiss Back Where You Found It (Columbia 37091).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: My Blue Heaven; side 2: Put That Kiss Back Where You Found It (Columbia 37091).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1981.0566.052
maker number
37091
accession number
1981.0566
catalog number
1981.0566.052
Burl Ives. side 1: Tam Pierce (Old Englisher); side 2: I Know Where I'm Going [track 1] I Know My Love [track 2] (Columbia 36734), from the album, The Wayfaring Stranger (Columbia C 103).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1941.
Description

Burl Ives. side 1: Tam Pierce (Old Englisher); side 2: I Know Where I'm Going [track 1] I Know My Love [track 2] (Columbia 36734), from the album, The Wayfaring Stranger (Columbia C 103).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1941. This album was released in 1944.

Jim (James) Flora (1914-1998) created the cover art for this album. Flora was a successful commercial illustrator during the 1940s-1970s as well as an author and illustrator for children’s books. He was best known for his unique and quirky album cover art for RCA Victor and Columbia during the 1940s and 1950s. Flora created numerous paintings, drawings, etchings, and sketches throughout his prolific career.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
release date
1944
recording artist
Ives, Burl
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.05144
maker number
36734
C 103
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05144
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: T.T. On Toast; side 2: I Don't Know Why I Love You So (Columbia 37296), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Ellington Special (Columbia C-127).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1938. Side 2 was recorded in 1936.
Description

Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: T.T. On Toast; side 2: I Don't Know Why I Love You So (Columbia 37296), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Ellington Special (Columbia C-127).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1938. Side 2 was recorded in 1936. This album was released in 1947.

The cover art for this album was made by Robert M. Jones (1913-1993) an American graphic designer and printmaker. Jones worked as art director for Columbia Records from 1945-1953, then for RCA Victor and affiliated labels.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1938
1936
release date
1947
recording artist
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.513
maker number
37296
C-127
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.513
Paul Revere and the Raiders. side 1: Don't Take It So Hard; side 2: Observation in Flight #285 IN 3/4 TIME (Columbia 4-44553)45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Paul Revere and the Raiders. side 1: Don't Take It So Hard; side 2: Observation in Flight #285 IN 3/4 TIME (Columbia 4-44553)
45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1968
recording artist
Lindsay, Mark
Paul Revere and The Raiders
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.3034.06456
label number
4-44553
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.06456
Burl Ives. side 1: On Sprinfield Mountain; side 2: Little Mohee (Columbia 38482), from the album, Return of the Wayfaring Stranger (Columbia C 186).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Burl Ives. side 1: On Sprinfield Mountain; side 2: Little Mohee (Columbia 38482), from the album, Return of the Wayfaring Stranger (Columbia C 186).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1949
recording artist
Ives, Burl
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.05136
maker number
38482
C 186
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05136
The Charioteers. side 1: Run, Run, Run; side 2: The Tourist Trade (Columbia 38261).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Charioteers. side 1: Run, Run, Run; side 2: The Tourist Trade (Columbia 38261).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1948
recording artist
Charioteers, The
composer
Cahn, Sammy
Styne, Jule
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0153.08712
catalog number
1996.0153.08712
label number
38261
accession number
1996.0153
Benny Goodman Quintet. side 1: Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye; side 2: Only Another Boy and Girl (Columbia 36767).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman Quintet. side 1: Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye; side 2: Only Another Boy and Girl (Columbia 36767).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Benny Goodman Quintet
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1988.0698.1110
catalog number
1988.0698.1110
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G81
maker number
36767
Paul Robeson. side 1: From Border To Border; side 2: Oh, How Proud Our Quiet Don (Columbia 17356-D), from the album, Songs of Free Men (Columbia M-534).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1942.
Description (Brief)

Paul Robeson. side 1: From Border To Border; side 2: Oh, How Proud Our Quiet Don (Columbia 17356-D), from the album, Songs of Free Men (Columbia M-534).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1942. This album was released in 1943.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
release date
1943
recording artist
Robeson, Paul
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1988.0824.26
accession number
1988.0824
maker number
M-534
catalog number
1988.0824.26
maker number
17356-D
The Dave Brubeck Quartet and The J.J. Johnson-Kai Winding Quintet. Dave Brubeck and Jay & Kai at Newport (Columbia CL 932).33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
The Dave Brubeck Quartet and The J.J. Johnson-Kai Winding Quintet. Dave Brubeck and Jay & Kai at Newport (Columbia CL 932).
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1956
recording artist
J. J. Johnson-Kai Winding Quintet
Dave Brubeck Quartet
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.783
maker number
CL 932
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.783
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: Best Wishes; side 2: Bundle of Blues (Columbia 35836), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Duke Ellington (Columbia C-38).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1932. Side 2 was recorded in 1933.
Description
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: Best Wishes; side 2: Bundle of Blues (Columbia 35836), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Duke Ellington (Columbia C-38).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1932. Side 2 was recorded in 1933. Both tracks are dubs from the original recordings. The album was released in 1940.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1932
1933
release date
1940
recording artist
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.489
maker number
35836
C-38
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.489
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Jumpin' At the Woodside; side 2: There'll Be Some Changes (Columbia 35210).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Jumpin' At the Woodside; side 2: There'll Be Some Changes (Columbia 35210).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1981.0566.034
maker number
35210
accession number
1981.0566
catalog number
1981.0566.034
The Charioteers. side 1: Oooh! Look-a There, Ain't She Pretty?; side 2: What Did He Say (The Mumble Song) (Columbia 38065).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Charioteers. side 1: Oooh! Look-a There, Ain't She Pretty?; side 2: What Did He Say (The Mumble Song) (Columbia 38065).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Charioteers, The
composer
Coben, Cy
Grean, Charles
Todd, Clarence
Lombardo, Carmen
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0153.08710
catalog number
1996.0153.08710
label number
38065
accession number
1996.0153
Andrew Rowan Summers. side 1: Barbara Allen; side 2: The Lady Gay (Columbia 17196-D), from the album, Old World Ballads in America (Columbia M 408).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Andrew Rowan Summers. side 1: Barbara Allen; side 2: The Lady Gay (Columbia 17196-D), from the album, Old World Ballads in America (Columbia M 408).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
Summers, Andrew Rowan
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1988.0824.07
accession number
1988.0824
maker number
M-408
catalog number
1988.0824.07
maker number
17196-D
various artists. The Sound Of Jazz (Columbia CL 1098).33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
various artists. The Sound Of Jazz (Columbia CL 1098).
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1957
recording artist
Henry Red Allen All-Stars
Holiday, Billie
Count Basie All-Stars
Jimmy Giuffre Trio
Waldron, Mal
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.743
maker number
CL 1098
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.743
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. The Man I Love; side 2: Benny Goodman Sextet. I Got Rhythm (Columbia 55038).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1940. Side 2 was recorded in 1945.Currently not on view
Description
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. The Man I Love; side 2: Benny Goodman Sextet. I Got Rhythm (Columbia 55038).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1940. Side 2 was recorded in 1945.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
1940
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1981.0566.197
maker number
55038
accession number
1981.0566
catalog number
1981.0566.197
Gene Autry. side 1: Merry Texas Christmas, You All!; side 2: The Night Before Christmas (In Texas, That Is) (Columbia MJV 150).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Gene Autry. side 1: Merry Texas Christmas, You All!; side 2: The Night Before Christmas (In Texas, That Is) (Columbia MJV 150).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1952
recording artist
Autry, Gene
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.11151
collector/donor number
2849
maker number
MJV 150
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.11151
Carson Robison and His Old Timers. side 1: Dive for the Oyster [part1]; side 2: Dive for the Oyster [part 2] (Columbia 36020), from the album, Square Dances (Columbia C-47).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Carson Robison and His Old Timers. side 1: Dive for the Oyster [part1]; side 2: Dive for the Oyster [part 2] (Columbia 36020), from the album, Square Dances (Columbia C-47).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
recording artist
Carson Robison and His Old Timers
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.05249
maker number
36020
C-47
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05249
Benny Goodman and his Sextet featuring Count Basie. side 1: As Long As I Live; side 2: Benny's Bugle (Columbia 35901).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman and his Sextet featuring Count Basie. side 1: As Long As I Live; side 2: Benny's Bugle (Columbia 35901).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Sextet
Basie, Count
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1988.0698.1131
catalog number
1988.0698.1131
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G102
maker number
35901
Jimmy Dorsey and his Original "Dorseyland" Jazz Band. side 1: Muskat Ramble; side 2: High Society (Columbia 38656), from the album, Dixie By Dorsey (Columbia C-196).78 rpm.Jim (James) Flora (1914-1998) created the cover art for this album.
Description

Jimmy Dorsey and his Original "Dorseyland" Jazz Band. side 1: Muskat Ramble; side 2: High Society (Columbia 38656), from the album, Dixie By Dorsey (Columbia C-196).
78 rpm.

Jim (James) Flora (1914-1998) created the cover art for this album. Flora was a successful commercial illustrator during the 1940s-1970s as well as an author and illustrator for children’s books. He was best known for his unique and quirky album cover art for RCA Victor and Columbia during the 1940s and 1950s. Flora created numerous paintings, drawings, etchings, and sketches throughout his prolific career.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Jimmy Dorsey and his Original "Dorseyland" Jazz Band
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.527
maker number
38656
C-196
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.527

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