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.

side 1: Louis Armstrong and Velma Middleton. (I Wonder Why) You're Just In Love; side 2: Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra. If (Decca 27481).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
side 1: Louis Armstrong and Velma Middleton. (I Wonder Why) You're Just In Love; side 2: Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra. If (Decca 27481).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1951
recording artist
Middleton, Velma
Armstrong, Louis
Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.220
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.220
maker number
27481
Cousin Emmy. side 1: Free Little Bird; side 2: Lost John (Decca 24216), from the album, Kentucky Mountain Ballads (Decca 574).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Cousin Emmy. side 1: Free Little Bird; side 2: Lost John (Decca 24216), from the album, Kentucky Mountain Ballads (Decca 574).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
release date
1948
recording artist
Emmy, Cousin
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05075
maker number
24216
574
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05075
Bud Freeman and The Summa Cum Laude Orchestra. side 1: Sensation; side 2: Oh Baby (Decca 18065), from the album, Wolverine Jazz (Decca 133).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Bud Freeman and The Summa Cum Laude Orchestra. side 1: Sensation; side 2: Oh Baby (Decca 18065), from the album, Wolverine Jazz (Decca 133).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
recording artist
Freeman, Bud
Summa Cum Laude Orchestra
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.562
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
18065
133
catalog number
1978.0670.562
Bunk Johnson and his New Orleans Band. side 1: Tishomingo Blues; side 2: You Always Hurt the One You Love (Decca 25131), from the album, New Orleans Revival (Decca A-549).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Bunk Johnson and his New Orleans Band. side 1: Tishomingo Blues; side 2: You Always Hurt the One You Love (Decca 25131), from the album, New Orleans Revival (Decca A-549).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
recording artist
Bunk Johnson and his New Orleans Band
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.585
accession number
1978.0670.585
maker number
25131
A-549
catalog number
1978.0670.585
Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra. side 1: 219 Blues; side 2: Perdido Street Blues (Decca 25099), from the album, New Orleans Jazz (Decca A-425).78 rpm. Both tracks were originally recorded in 1940 and released on Decca 18090. The album was released in 1947.Currently not on view
Description
Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra. side 1: 219 Blues; side 2: Perdido Street Blues (Decca 25099), from the album, New Orleans Jazz (Decca A-425).
78 rpm. Both tracks were originally recorded in 1940 and released on Decca 18090. The album was released in 1947.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
release date
1947
recording artist
Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.589
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
25099
A-425
catalog number
1978.0670.589
side 1: Willie (The Lion) Smith and his Cubs. The Old Stamping Ground; side 2: Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five. Waiting for the Robert E. Lee (Decca 4204), from the album, Alto Saxology (Decca 246).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1937 and released on Decca 1380.
Description
side 1: Willie (The Lion) Smith and his Cubs. The Old Stamping Ground; side 2: Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five. Waiting for the Robert E. Lee (Decca 4204), from the album, Alto Saxology (Decca 246).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1937 and released on Decca 1380. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1940 and released on Decca 3360. The album was released in 1942.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
1940
release date
1942
recording artist
Willie (The Lion) Smith and his Cubs
Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.578
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
4204
246
catalog number
1978.0670.578
Clayton McMichen. side 1: Sourwood Mountain/Peter Went a Fishin'/Sugar in the Gourd; side 2: Devil's Dream/Rickett's Hornpipe/Fisher's Hornpipe (Decca 2649), from the album, Square Dance Fiddlin
Description
Clayton McMichen. side 1: Sourwood Mountain/Peter Went a Fishin'/Sugar in the Gourd; side 2: Devil's Dream/Rickett's Hornpipe/Fisher's Hornpipe (Decca 2649), from the album, Square Dance Fiddlin78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1939. This album was released in 1949.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1949
recording date
1939
recording artist
McMichen, Clayton
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05191
maker number
2649
705
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05191
Eddie Condon and his Orchestra. side 1: Aunt Hagar's Blues; side 2: Rose of the Rio Grande (Decca 24220), from the album, We Called It Music (Decca A-604).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Eddie Condon and his Orchestra. side 1: Aunt Hagar's Blues; side 2: Rose of the Rio Grande (Decca 24220), from the album, We Called It Music (Decca A-604).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Eddie Condon and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.584
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
24220
A-604
catalog number
1978.0670.584
Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band. King Oliver's Jazz (Decca DL 5437).33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band. King Oliver's Jazz (Decca DL 5437).
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1951-1952
recording artist
Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.696
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.696
maker number
DL 5437
Bing Crosby. side 1: I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande); side 2: There's a Gold Mine in the Sky (Decca 25001), from the album, Bing Crosby - Cowboy Songs (Decca 514).78 rpm. Side 1 was released in 1936. Side 2 was released in 1937.
Description
Bing Crosby. side 1: I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande); side 2: There's a Gold Mine in the Sky (Decca 25001), from the album, Bing Crosby - Cowboy Songs (Decca 514).
78 rpm. Side 1 was released in 1936. Side 2 was released in 1937. This album was released in 1946.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
1937
release date
1946
recording artist
Crosby, Bing
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05077
maker number
25001
514
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05077
Sophie Tucker. side 1: Why Go to Havana; side 2: No One Woman Can Satisfy Any One Man All the Time (Decca 23422), from the album, Sophie Tucker (Decca A-396).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1944. This album was released in 1945.Currently not on view
Description
Sophie Tucker. side 1: Why Go to Havana; side 2: No One Woman Can Satisfy Any One Man All the Time (Decca 23422), from the album, Sophie Tucker (Decca A-396).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1944. This album was released in 1945.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
release date
1945
recording artist
Tucker, Sophie
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1979.1023.119
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
23422
A-396
catalog number
1979.1023.119
Bing Crosby. side 1: We'll Rest At the End of the Trail; side 2: There's a Gold Mine in the Sky (Decca 2678), from the album, Bing Crosby - Cowboy Songs (Decca 69).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1937. Side 2 was recorded in 1936.Currently not on view
Description
Bing Crosby. side 1: We'll Rest At the End of the Trail; side 2: There's a Gold Mine in the Sky (Decca 2678), from the album, Bing Crosby - Cowboy Songs (Decca 69).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1937. Side 2 was recorded in 1936.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
1936
date made
1938
recording artist
Crosby, Bing
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05082
maker number
2678
69
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05082
Red Foley. side 1: Giles County, Pulaski Post Office; side 2: Tennessee Hill-Billy Ghost (Decca 46317)78 rpmCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Red Foley. side 1: Giles County, Pulaski Post Office; side 2: Tennessee Hill-Billy Ghost (Decca 46317)
78 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1951
recording artist
Foley, Red
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.16139
collector/donor number
828
maker number
46317
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.16139
Art Hodes and his Orchestra. side 1: Get Happy; side 2: (Back Home Again In ) Indiana (Decca 18438), from the album, Gems of Jazz, Vol. 5 (Decca A-324).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Art Hodes and his Orchestra. side 1: Get Happy; side 2: (Back Home Again In ) Indiana (Decca 18438), from the album, Gems of Jazz, Vol. 5 (Decca A-324).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
recording artist
Art Hodes and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.566
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
18438
A-324
catalog number
1978.0670.566
Richard Dyer-Bennet. side 1: The Devil and the Farmer's Wife; side 2: Eggs and Marrowbone (Decca 24209), from the album, Richard Dyer-Bennet - 20th Century Minstrel (Decca 573).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1945. Side 2 was recorded in 1944.
Description
Richard Dyer-Bennet. side 1: The Devil and the Farmer's Wife; side 2: Eggs and Marrowbone (Decca 24209), from the album, Richard Dyer-Bennet - 20th Century Minstrel (Decca 573).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1945. Side 2 was recorded in 1944. This album was released in 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
1944
release date
1948
recording artist
Dyer-Bennet, Richard
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05097
maker number
24209
573
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05097
Count Basie and his Orchestra. side 1: Good Morning Blues; side 2: Doggin' Around (Decca 18125), from the album, Kansas City Jazz (Decca 214).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1937 and released on Decca 1446.
Description
Count Basie and his Orchestra. side 1: Good Morning Blues; side 2: Doggin' Around (Decca 18125), from the album, Kansas City Jazz (Decca 214).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1937 and released on Decca 1446. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1938 and released on Decca 1965. This album was released in 1941.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
1938
release date
1941
recording artist
Count Basie and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.574
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
18125
214
catalog number
1978.0670.574
The Ranch Boys. side 1: Big Corral [track 1] Sweet Betsy from Pike [track 2]; side 2: Home on the Range (Decca 2646), from the album, Favorite Cowboy Songs (Decca 65).78 rpm. side 1 was recorded in 1938. side 2 was recorded in 1934.
Description
The Ranch Boys. side 1: Big Corral [track 1] Sweet Betsy from Pike [track 2]; side 2: Home on the Range (Decca 2646), from the album, Favorite Cowboy Songs (Decca 65).
78 rpm. side 1 was recorded in 1938. side 2 was recorded in 1934. This album was released in 1939.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1939
recording date
1938
1934
recording artist
Ranch Boys
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05211
maker number
2646
65
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05211
Eddie Condon and his Orchestra. side 1: Down Among the Sheltering Palms; side 2: Ida! Sweet As Apple Cider (Decca 24219), from the album, We Called It Music (Decca A-604).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Eddie Condon and his Orchestra. side 1: Down Among the Sheltering Palms; side 2: Ida! Sweet As Apple Cider (Decca 24219), from the album, We Called It Music (Decca A-604).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Eddie Condon and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.583
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
24219
A-604
catalog number
1978.0670.583
The Ranch Boys. side 1: Buffalo Gals [track 1] Cowboy Dance [track 2]; side 2: Git Along Little Dogies [track 1] Little Joe the Wrangler (Decca 2644), from the album, Favorite Cowboy Songs (Decca 65).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1938.
Description
The Ranch Boys. side 1: Buffalo Gals [track 1] Cowboy Dance [track 2]; side 2: Git Along Little Dogies [track 1] Little Joe the Wrangler (Decca 2644), from the album, Favorite Cowboy Songs (Decca 65).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1938. This album was released in 1939.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1939
recording date
1938
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05204
maker number
2644
65
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05204
side 1: Pete Johnson's Band. 627 Stomp; side 2: Joe Turner and his Fly Cats. Piney Brown Blues (Decca 18121), from the album, Kansas City Jazz (Decca 214).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1940. This album was released in 1941.Currently not on view
Description
side 1: Pete Johnson's Band. 627 Stomp; side 2: Joe Turner and his Fly Cats. Piney Brown Blues (Decca 18121), from the album, Kansas City Jazz (Decca 214).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1940. This album was released in 1941.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
release date
1941
recording artist
Pete Johnson's Band
Joe Turner and his Fly Cats
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.570
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
18121
214
catalog number
1978.0670.570
side 1: Lee Dixon with Oklahoma Male Chorus and Orchestra. Kansas City; side 2: Joan Roberts with Oklahoma Girl Chorus and Orchestra. Oout of My Dreams (Decca 23285), from the album, Oklahoma! (Decca A-359).
Description

side 1: Lee Dixon with Oklahoma Male Chorus and Orchestra. Kansas City; side 2: Joan Roberts with Oklahoma Girl Chorus and Orchestra. Oout of My Dreams (Decca 23285), from the album, Oklahoma! (Decca A-359). 78 rpm.

This album is from the 1943 Broadway musical Oklahoma!, with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Richard Rogers. Oklahoma! opened on March 31, 1943 at the St. James Theatre and ran for 2,212 performances.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1943
recording artist
Dixon, Lee
Roberts, Joan
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1980.0339.09
maker number
23285
A-359
accession number
1980.0339
catalog number
1980.0339.09
side 1: Rex Allen with Janice Klein. Why, Daddy?; side 2: Rex Allen. Where Did My Snowman Go? (Decca 28933).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
side 1: Rex Allen with Janice Klein. Why, Daddy?; side 2: Rex Allen. Where Did My Snowman Go? (Decca 28933).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1953
recording artist
Allen, Rex
Klein, Janice
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.10484
collector/donor number
17311
maker number
28933
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.10484
Kid Ory and his Creole Band. side 1: High Society; side 2: Blanche Touquatox (Decca 25134), from the album, New Orleans Revival (Decca A-549).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Kid Ory and his Creole Band. side 1: High Society; side 2: Blanche Touquatox (Decca 25134), from the album, New Orleans Revival (Decca A-549).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
recording artist
Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.588
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
25134
A-549
catalog number
1978.0670.588
Cousin Emmy. side 1: Come on All You Virginia Gals; side 2: Pretty Little Miss out in the Garden (Decca 24213), from the album, Kentucky Mountain Ballads (Decca 574).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Cousin Emmy. side 1: Come on All You Virginia Gals; side 2: Pretty Little Miss out in the Garden (Decca 24213), from the album, Kentucky Mountain Ballads (Decca 574).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
rlease date
1948
recording artist
Emmy, Cousin
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05072
maker number
24213
574
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05072

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