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.

Topic: Art

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled Mr. Magoo

The Mr. Magoo newspaper comic strip was drawn by Pete Alvarado (1920-2003) during the early 1960s, distributed by The Chicago Tribune Syndicate.
Description
The Mr. Magoo newspaper comic strip was drawn by Pete Alvarado (1920-2003) during the early 1960s, distributed by The Chicago Tribune Syndicate. The strip featured UPA Studio character Quincy Magoo, an extremely nearsighted older man whose vision often got him and others into trouble. In this strip, Magoo and his nephew Waldo are leaving Hawaii by ship. Magoo accidentally throws his camera off-board, thinking it is his lei necklace.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
08/29/1965
graphic artist
Alvarado, Pete
publisher
Saperstein, Henry G.
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.22384
catalog number
22384
accession number
277502

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "Dennis the Menace".

"Dennis the Menace", created and originally drawn by Hank Ketcham (d. 2001), features a five-and-a-half year old named Dennis and the trouble he seems to cause in his neighborhood.
Description
"Dennis the Menace", created and originally drawn by Hank Ketcham (d. 2001), features a five-and-a-half year old named Dennis and the trouble he seems to cause in his neighborhood. Originally distributed by Post-Hall Syndicate, the strip runs in more than a thousand newspapers, now distributed by King Features. This is an original drawing by the artist of the title character, Dennis.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
undated
original artist
Ketcham, Hank
ID Number
GA.22523
catalog number
22523
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Johnny Hazard".

"Johnny Hazard" was created and drawn by Frank Robbins (1917-1994), and distributed by King Features Syndicate from 1944 until 1977. The strip followed the adventures of aviator and government agent Johnny Hazard as he took on missions around the world.
Description
"Johnny Hazard" was created and drawn by Frank Robbins (1917-1994), and distributed by King Features Syndicate from 1944 until 1977. The strip followed the adventures of aviator and government agent Johnny Hazard as he took on missions around the world. In this strip, a CIA antidote pill counteracts the drugged food Johnny's wingmates ate.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
07/31/1966
graphic artist
Robbins, Frank
publisher
King Features Syndicate
ID Number
GA.22578
catalog number
22578
accession number
277502

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "Family Circus".

"The Family Circus", created and drawn by Bil Keane, first appeared in newspapers in 1960. The strip features quips about family life and especially cute sayings and understandings of and by children.
Description
"The Family Circus", created and drawn by Bil Keane, first appeared in newspapers in 1960. The strip features quips about family life and especially cute sayings and understandings of and by children. It is one of the most popular comic panels in the world, distributed by King Features Syndicate. This is an original drawing by the artist of the four "Family Circus" children.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
undated
publisher
King Features Syndicate
graphic artist
Keane, Bil
ID Number
GA.22495
catalog number
22495
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic panel, entitled Mr. Mum

Mr. Mum, also published as The Strange World of Mr. Mum, was created and drawn by Irving Phillips (1904-2000) and distributed by The Hall Syndicate (later, the Field Syndicate) from 1958 until 1974. The comic usually ran in gag-joke form, with Mr.
Description
Mr. Mum, also published as The Strange World of Mr. Mum, was created and drawn by Irving Phillips (1904-2000) and distributed by The Hall Syndicate (later, the Field Syndicate) from 1958 until 1974. The comic usually ran in gag-joke form, with Mr. Mum never saying a word, only drawn in pantomime. In this panel, Mr. Mum finds himself at the crossroads of "Thither" and "Yon".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
undated
graphic artist
Phillips, Irving
ID Number
GA.22492
accession number
1990.0122
catalog number
GA.22492

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Johnny Hazard".

"Johnny Hazard" was created and drawn by Frank Robbins (1917-1994), and distributed by King Features Syndicate from 1944 until 1977. The strip followed the adventures of aviator and government agent Johnny Hazard as he took on missions around the world.
Description
"Johnny Hazard" was created and drawn by Frank Robbins (1917-1994), and distributed by King Features Syndicate from 1944 until 1977. The strip followed the adventures of aviator and government agent Johnny Hazard as he took on missions around the world. In this strip, villainess Olga Peronoma takes a plane hostage, and Johnny must stop her.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
11/16/1965
graphic artist
Robbins, Frank
publisher
King Features Syndicate
ID Number
GA.22543
catalog number
22543
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Grandma".

Charles Kuhn (1892-1989), who studied under fellow cartoonist Frank King, is most known for his comic strip "Grandma". The strip features the antics of a 90-year old woman and her grandchildren, based on the artist's own mother.
Description
Charles Kuhn (1892-1989), who studied under fellow cartoonist Frank King, is most known for his comic strip "Grandma". The strip features the antics of a 90-year old woman and her grandchildren, based on the artist's own mother. In this strip, Grandma breaks a mirror and good things happen, contrary to the superstition that seven years of bad luck will follow.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
08/21/1966
graphic artist
Kuhn, Charles
publisher
King Features Syndicate
ID Number
GA.22608
catalog number
22608
accession number
1968.277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Fritzi Ritz".

"Fritzi Ritz" began as a soap-opera style comic strip in 1922, created by Larry Wittington, a famed cartoonist of the time. He left the strip in 1925 to Ernie Bushmiller (1905-1982), who successfully turned the strip into a daily and Sunday feature.
Description
"Fritzi Ritz" began as a soap-opera style comic strip in 1922, created by Larry Wittington, a famed cartoonist of the time. He left the strip in 1925 to Ernie Bushmiller (1905-1982), who successfully turned the strip into a daily and Sunday feature. By 1933, Bushmiller had written in Fritzi's neice Nancy as a main character, and Fritzi Ritz became a background character in the "Nancy" series, which continues to be distributed today by United Feature Syndicate. In this strip, Fritzi is cleaning the house when her boyfriend Phil Fumble interrupts to watch the game. Fritzi makes Phil wash dishes while he watches the TV.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
8/21/1966
graphic artist
Bushmiller, Ernie
publisher
United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
ID Number
GA.22446
catalog number
22446
accession number
277502

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "The Record Breaker".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, subtitled "Italian Aviation", a man jumps from Rome to Brazil holding the records for speed, distance, and endurance.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
07/06/1928
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24197
catalog number
24197
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Ferd'nand"

"Ferd'nand", created in Denamrk by Henning Dahl "Mik" Mikkelsen (d. 1982), was brought to the United States and distributed by United Feature Syndicate in 1947. The strip features the title character, Ferd, along with his family, a wife and son.
Description
"Ferd'nand", created in Denamrk by Henning Dahl "Mik" Mikkelsen (d. 1982), was brought to the United States and distributed by United Feature Syndicate in 1947. The strip features the title character, Ferd, along with his family, a wife and son. None of the characters speak, so the strip's gags are all done in a sort of pantomime. The strip continues to be created, although by a different artist. In this strip, Ferd and the family go camping, but hook up electricity for comfort.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
08/21/1966
graphic artist
Mikkelsen, Henning Dahl
publisher
United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
ID Number
GA.22447
catalog number
22447
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strips page, with the title strips "Boots", "Boots Fashion Show" and "Babe N' Horace".

"Boots", created and originally drawn by Everett "Abe" Martin, focuses on Boots Ruggles and her daily adventures, mostly centering around dating and family life during and post-WWII. "Babe N' Horace" was often a topper strip for "Boots", which was also drawn by Martin.
Description
"Boots", created and originally drawn by Everett "Abe" Martin, focuses on Boots Ruggles and her daily adventures, mostly centering around dating and family life during and post-WWII. "Babe N' Horace" was often a topper strip for "Boots", which was also drawn by Martin. In these strips, Boots' husband Rod forgets to pick up thread for her machine, so she gets him to take her out for dinner; a boxing match turns into a dance; and different outfits for Boots made for fans of the comic appear as cut-outs for other readers to play with.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
05/01/1966
publisher
NEA, Inc.
graphic artist
Carroll, Les
ID Number
GA.22361
catalog number
22361
accession number
277502

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "Busy Days in Our Trophy Room".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, Uncle Sam is putting another trophy on the shelf for aviation records in the US Flying Trophies Room.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, Uncle Sam is putting another trophy on the shelf for aviation records in the US Flying Trophies Room. Picture of the Wright Brothers hanging on the right side of the drawing, and a sign on the left side that says, "If At First You Don't Succeed, Fly, Fly, Again."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
06/30/1927
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24192
catalog number
24192
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready comic panel, entitled Laughing Matter

Laughing Matter was a series of comic strips and panels made by Roth Salo and distributed by the Chicago Tribune-New York News Syndicate from 1946 to 1974. Salo was one of four brothers, each cartoonists and artists. Each panel features a bit of humor from everyday life.
Description
Laughing Matter was a series of comic strips and panels made by Roth Salo and distributed by the Chicago Tribune-New York News Syndicate from 1946 to 1974. Salo was one of four brothers, each cartoonists and artists. Each panel features a bit of humor from everyday life. In this panel, a waiter says that they are "out of everything under $3.00."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
09/09/1965
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
graphic artist
Salo, Roth
ID Number
GA.22344
catalog number
22344
accession number
277502

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "Late In Coming, But He Came".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, the Grim Reaper goes to the 4th Day of the Aviation Meet wearing a suit.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, the Grim Reaper goes to the 4th Day of the Aviation Meet wearing a suit. Written in black ink below drawing, "Late in Coming, But He Came."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
08/16/1911
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24203
catalog number
24203
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready drawing of Cheetah from "Steve Canyon".

Milton Caniff (1907-1988) is creator of the classic comic strip "Steve Canyon" among others such as "Terry and the Pirates". Here, he has illustrated a Cheetah, one of Canyon's sidekick Reed Kimberly's love interests.Currently not on view
Description
Milton Caniff (1907-1988) is creator of the classic comic strip "Steve Canyon" among others such as "Terry and the Pirates". Here, he has illustrated a Cheetah, one of Canyon's sidekick Reed Kimberly's love interests.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
undated
original artist
Caniff, Milton
ID Number
GA.22485
catalog number
22485
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Brick Bradford".

"Brick Bradford", originally drawn by Clarence Gray, is a science fiction comic strip that ran until 1987.
Description
"Brick Bradford", originally drawn by Clarence Gray, is a science fiction comic strip that ran until 1987. A space soap-opera type strip, similar to Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon, featured the main character Brick Bradford and his adventures in time traveling and battling space foes. In this strip, Brick and his friend Hoppy wear suits with EM fields to protect them from a dangerous robot on the loose.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
06/03/1966
graphic artist
Norris, Paul
publisher
King Features Syndicate
ID Number
GA.22532
catalog number
22532
accession number
277502

Camera-ready drawing, entitled Miss Peach

Miss Peach was created and drawn by Mell Lazarus (b. 1927), syndicated by New York News Syndicate from 1957 until 2002.The comic was often in gag-joke panel form, featuring teachers Miss Peach, Miss Crystal, and their elementary school students.
Description
Miss Peach was created and drawn by Mell Lazarus (b. 1927), syndicated by New York News Syndicate from 1957 until 2002.
The comic was often in gag-joke panel form, featuring teachers Miss Peach, Miss Crystal, and their elementary school students. In the 1990s, the title was changed to Ms. Peach. This is an original drawing of Miss Peach and two of her students by Lazarus.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
undated
graphic artist
Lazarus, Mell
ID Number
GA.22490
catalog number
22490
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Hi and Lois".

"Hi and Lois", created and drawn by Dik Browne (1917-1989) and Mort Walker (b. 1923), continues to be drawn by the sons of the original team and distributed by King Features Syndicate.
Description
"Hi and Lois", created and drawn by Dik Browne (1917-1989) and Mort Walker (b. 1923), continues to be drawn by the sons of the original team and distributed by King Features Syndicate. The comic strip features the domestic life of Hi and Lois Flagston and their family of four children and a dog. Lois is the sister of Mort Walker's other comic character, Beetle Bailey. In this strip, the children sit split between their parents. Chip, their teenage son, remarks: "If this family were any bigger, they wouldn't be able to stop the fights."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
8/10/1966
graphic artist
Browne, Dik
Walker, Mort
publisher
King Features Syndicate
ID Number
GA.22363
catalog number
22363
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Judge Parker".

"Judge Parker" was created in 1952 by Nicholas P. Dallis, aka Paul Nichols (1911-1991). Harold LeDoux took over drawing the strip from 1965 to 2006.
Description
"Judge Parker" was created in 1952 by Nicholas P. Dallis, aka Paul Nichols (1911-1991). Harold LeDoux took over drawing the strip from 1965 to 2006. The strip has a soap-opera type storyline similar to Dallis' other comic strips, "Apartment 3-G" and "Rex Morgan, M.D." Alan Parker, a judge, along with attorney Sam Driver, take on criminals and deliver justice; family interaction also plays a key role in the story scripts. In this strip, Judge Parker calls Cassandra, searching for his son, Randy.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
08/23/1966
maker
LeDoux, Harold
ID Number
GA.22463
catalog number
22463
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled "Brother Juniper".

"Brother Juniper," created by Fred McCarthy, is based on a monk of the same name. The comic is centered on Christian principles, adding humor through the somewhat naive Juniper.
Description
"Brother Juniper," created by Fred McCarthy, is based on a monk of the same name. The comic is centered on Christian principles, adding humor through the somewhat naive Juniper. In this strip, Juniper is caught fishing by the Game Warden, but argues that all he has caught is a shoe, dangling from the end of his fishing line.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
08/29/1966
publisher
Publishers Newspapers Syndicate, Inc.
ID Number
GA.22640
catalog number
22640
accession number
277502

Camera-ready drawing, entitled Mutt & Jeff

Mutt & Jeff, created in 1907 by Bud Fisher (1885-1954), was one of the first daily comic strips in American newspapers. The strip was in syndication until 1982 by the Bell-McClure Syndicate, drawn famously by Al Smith who drew the strip from 1932 until 1981.
Description
Mutt & Jeff, created in 1907 by Bud Fisher (1885-1954), was one of the first daily comic strips in American newspapers. The strip was in syndication until 1982 by the Bell-McClure Syndicate, drawn famously by Al Smith who drew the strip from 1932 until 1981. The storyline features Augustus Mutt (A. Mutt), his family, and Jeff. Mutt and Jeff are horseracing enthusiasts, and often prone to ridiculous get-rich-quick schemes. This is an original drawing of Mutt and Jeff by Al Smith.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
undated
graphic artist
Smith, Al
Fisher, Bud
ID Number
GA.22509
catalog number
22509
accession number
277502

Camera-ready comic strip, entitled Mary Perkins On Stage

Mary Perkins, On Stage, originally titled On Stage or Mary Perkins, was created and drawn by Leonard Starr (b. 1925) from 1957 until 1979, distributed by The Chicago-Tribune-New York News Syndicate.
Description
Mary Perkins, On Stage, originally titled On Stage or Mary Perkins, was created and drawn by Leonard Starr (b. 1925) from 1957 until 1979, distributed by The Chicago-Tribune-New York News Syndicate. The strip features a soap opera-type storyline of the backstage drama of actress Mary Perkins. In this strip, Mary wants to keep Bennie the Lion, and Arlie is romantically involved with Al.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
09/14/1966
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
graphic artist
Starr, Leonard
ID Number
GA.22537
catalog number
22537
accession number
277502

Camera-ready drawing, entitled Mickey Finn

Mickey Finn, created and originally drawn by Lank Leonard (1896-1970), was distributed from 1936 to 1976 by the McNaught Syndicate. The comic featured a New York, Irish-American police officer, Michael "Mickey" Finn, and the humorous side of working to fight crime.
Description
Mickey Finn, created and originally drawn by Lank Leonard (1896-1970), was distributed from 1936 to 1976 by the McNaught Syndicate. The comic featured a New York, Irish-American police officer, Michael "Mickey" Finn, and the humorous side of working to fight crime. This is an original drawing of Sheriff Philip Finn from the Mickey Finn comic strip by Lank Leonard.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
undated
original artist
Leonard, Lank
ID Number
GA.22497
catalog number
22497
accession number
277502

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "The New Photographic Idea".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. This drawing is in two parts. In the top panel, archeologists look at the Rosetta Stone with magnifying glasses.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. This drawing is in two parts. In the top panel, archeologists look at the Rosetta Stone with magnifying glasses. "This is the way we have gotton our records of things that happened 3,000 years ago." At bottom, tourists look at signs about preservation buildings, which are meant to last forever. "This is the way posterity, 3,000 years hence, will get its records about us." Typed note, "February 5, 1904, The New Photographic Idea for Preserving History with Text."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
02/05/1094
02/05/1904
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24180
catalog number
24180
accession number
1976.320859

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