Collection Items

  • Audio Recording
    I love the name of Mary : tenor and chorus with orchestra Edison: 50083-R; mx 2362. The 1st work from the musical Barry of Ballymore, with lyrics by George Graff. This catalog entry was made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and by a grant from Lloyd E. Rigler and Lawrence E. Deutsch. Walter Van Brunt, tenor ; with chorus and orchestra. Coupling date: 9/11/13 (1st side) ; 11/1913 (2nd side)--Cf....
    • Contributor: Van Brunt, Walter - Carroll, Harry - Graff, George - Ball, Ernest R. - Olcott, Chauncey
    • Date: 1913
  • Audio Recording
    In Siam : Wars of the world : N.Y. Hippodrome : tenor and chorus, orchestra accompaniment Edison: 3382-B-43 (matrix), 3365-C-53 (matrix); Diamond Disc no. on edge of disc: 50198. The 1st song from a revue. Billy Murray, tenor--Cf. Wile, 1978. Performed with accompaniment. Coupling date: 11/23/1914--Cf. Wile, 1978. Engraved label. LC copy: 3382-A-1-1 (matrix, R side) ; 3365-C-3-4 (matrix, L side).
    • Contributor: Klein, Manuel - Murray, Billy - Berlin, Irving
    • Date: 1914
  • Audio Recording
    Happy tho' married : monologue ; Desperate Desmond : drama : (rehearsing the orchestra) : vaudeville specialty
    Happy though married
    Happy tho' married side: Presents a humorous monologue in Hebrew dialect in which a man describes the courtship of his future wife and their life together after marriage. Desperate Desmond side: Presents a humorous monologue in which a man directs an orchestra in the use of musical sounds and motifs to represent the characters and action in a drama wherein the hero rescues the...
    • Contributor: Duprez, Fred
    • Date: 1915
  • Audio Recording
    Good-bye Broadway, hello France : baritone and chorus with orchestra The 1st song from the revue, The passing show of 1917. Edison: 5687-C-2-78 (matrix), 5659-C-3-77 (matrix); Diamond Disc no. on edge of disc: 50443. Arthur Fields, baritone (1st work) ; Billy Murray, tenor (2nd work) ; with chorus and orchestra. Coupling date: 8/21/1917--Cf. Wile, 1978. LC copy: 5687-C-3-72 (matrix, 1st side) ; 5659-C-5-44 (matrix, 2nd side). Engraved labels.
    • Contributor: Fields, Arthur - Cohan, George M. (George Michael) - Murray, Billy - Baskette, Billy
    • Date: 1917
  • Audio Recording
    Saxophone sobs : saxophone with orchestra Edison: 5744-C-7-44 (matrix), 4998-C-4-4X (matrix); Diamond Disc no. on edge of disc: 50454. Rudy Wiedoeft, saxophone (1st work) ; Frosini, accordion (2nd work). Coupling date: 10/24/1917--Cf. Wile, 1978. Engraved labels. LC copy: 5744-C-2-102 (matrix, 1st side) ; 4998-C-6-90 (matrix, 2nd side).
    • Contributor: Frosini, Pietro - Wiedoeft, Rudy - Erdman, Ernie
    • Date: 1917
  • Audio Recording
    A study in mimicry : vaudeville sketch Edison: 5522-A-2-2 (matrix), 6031-A-5-2 (matrix); Diamond Disc no. on record sleeve: 50485. The 1st work consists primarily of vocal sound effects, including whistled bird sounds with piano acc.; 2nd work consists of a song followed by vocal sound effects. Orren and Drew (1st side) ; The Premier Quartet (2nd side). Coupling date: 6/19/1918--Cf. Wile, 1978. Engraved labels. Program notes and performers' full names on...
    • Contributor: Drew, Lillian - American Quartet - Orren, John
    • Date: 1918
  • Audio Recording
    Gunga Din Lasca: Dramatic recitations were frequently on the variety show bill. Harry E. Humphrey delivers this romantic poem of the American West in the typical dramatic style of the time--Cf. American variety stage, 1870-1920 summary.
    • Contributor: Humphrey, Harry E. (Harry Ervin) - Kipling, Rudyard - Desprez, Frank
    • Date: 1919
  • Audio Recording
    The Arkansas traveler descriptive scene ; Flanagan's troubles in a restaurant : vaudeville specialty. Steve Porter, speaking (sides 1 and 2) ; Ernest Hare, speaking (side 1) ; with violin (side 1) and orchestra (side 2). Recorded July 10, 1922 (1st side) and January 1923 (2nd side)--Cf. Edison disc recordings, c1978. Date of first listing: March 12, 1929--Cf. Edison discs recordings, c1978. "Edison re-creation." LC copy: Index no. 25. LC copy: 8261-A-4-3 (matrix, R side) ; 7019-C-B-5 (matrix,...
    • Contributor: Hare, Ernest - Porter, Steve
    • Date: 1929
  • Audio Recording
    Laughing record : Henry's music lesson. Porters on a Pullman train
    Henry's music lesson
    Laughing record; novelty song. Edison: 8860-B-3-7 (matrix), 8606-B-4-3 (matrix); additional nos. on labels: 8860, 8606; Diamond Disc nos. on labels: 51063-R, 51063-L. Humorous song and spoken word comedy. Sally Stembler, speaking, laughing, with uncredited men (1st side) ; Collins and Harlan (2nd work). Coupling date: 3/12/1923--Cf. Wile, 1978. LC copy: 8860-C-2-4 (matrix, R side) ; 8606-C-4-9 (matrix, L side). Performer on 1st side from...
    • Contributor: Collins, Arthur - Collins and Harlan (Musical Group) - Crandall, Charles D. - Stembler, Sallie - Harlan, Byron G.
    • Date: 1923
  • Audio Recording
    Recollections of 1861-65 : trumpet solo with orchestra. Love's old sweet song : saxophone with orchestra Edison: 7683 (matrix), 7690 (matrix); Diamond Disc nos. on labels: 80613-R, 80613-L. Edna White, trumpet (1st work) ; Chester Gaylord, saxophone (2nd work). Coupling date: 2/1/1921--Cf. Wile, 1978. Engraved label. LC copy: 7863-A-6-5 (matrix, 1st side) ; 7690-B-7-11 (matrix, 2nd side).
    • Contributor: White, Edna - Gaylord, Chester - Molloy, J. L. (James L.)
    • Date: 1921
  • Film, Video
    Three jumping Tommies
    Three jumping acrobatic Tommies | Unidentified Peters No 3: Vaudeville acts
    Opening title introduces "Three jumping Tommies in their original acrobatic stunts," with "Tommies" apparently referring to the performers' British military uniform costumes of caps, shirts and ties, knickers to the knees, tights, and short boots. Cuts to a long shot of a stage with a painted backdrop of a garden with fountains. From stage right march three young men; a short boy flanked by...
    • Contributor: Spanuth, Hans A. - Afi/Peters (S.E.) Collection (Library of Congress) - Commonwealth Pictures Corporation
    • Date: 1920
  • Film, Video
    Kruger and Ward
    Unidentified Peters No 3: Vaudeville acts
    Opening title introduces "Kruger and Ward, the tall and short of it." The camera iris opens on a stage with a painted backdrop of a canyon and waterfall. Two clowns walk across the stage: a dwarf with a fake bald pate dressed in evening clothes and a top hat, and a tall, thin clown dressed as a woman. The dwarf follows the "woman" with...
    • Contributor: Spanuth, Hans A. - Afi/Peters (S.E.) Collection (Library of Congress) - Commonwealth Pictures Corporation - Kruger and Ward
    • Date: 1919
  • Film, Video
    Toto Brothers
    Unidentified Peters No 3: Vaudeville acts
    Opening title identifies this as a "balancing and iron jaw novelty act." Cuts to a long shot of a stage with a carpet and dark curtains as a backdrop, in front of which stand four chairs and a table. From stage left enters a man wearing dark leotards with a single-shouldered top, a waist belt, and dark high-top shoes with a white border. From...
    • Contributor: Toto Brothers - Spanuth, Hans A. - Afi/Peters (S.E.) Collection (Library of Congress) - Commonwealth Pictures Corporation
    • Date: 1919
  • Film, Video
    Jumbo, the trained elephant
    Spanuth's vodvil - Zouary no. 148 | Vaudeville de-luxe: four acts | Zouary can no148
    Camera iris opens from black to a smiling man standing in front of an elephant, who is seated on her haunches on a stool with her front legs raised in the air. They are apparently on a stage with a painted backdrop of a forest. The man gives the elephant a treat, who then stands as the iris closes. Another iris effect opens on...
    • Contributor: Spanuth, Hans A. - U.S. Personal Film Company - Commonwealth Pictures Corporation - Afi/Zouary (Maurice) Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1919
  • Film, Video
    [Animal act with baboon, dog and donkey]
    Spanuth's vodvil - Zouary no. 149 | Zouary can no. 149
    Opens on a closeup of a baboon "playing" a violin, then cuts to a medium shot of the same. The baboon wears a white short-sleeved shirt with a loose bow tie and tweed pants. Cuts to a closeup of the baboon in a circular mask or iris effect, without the violin but with a collar around his neck and a striped kitten that he...
    • Contributor: Spanuth, Hans A. - Commonwealth Pictures Corporation - Afi/Zouary (Maurice) Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1919
  • Film, Video
    Tom Tinker's pony patter
    Spanuth's vodvil - Zouary no. 149 | Zouary can no 149
    Camera iris opens to six ponies with decorated harnesses and plumed halters, standing in the center of a stage with a painted backdrop of mountains. Cuts to two ponies on a seesaw, with a moustached man in a white uniform with dark piping and a white cap holding their leads. A second trainer in a dark suit can also be seen occasionally with the...
    • Contributor: Spanuth, Hans A. - Commonwealth Pictures Corporation - Afi/Zouary (Maurice) Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1919
  • Film, Video
    Kawana Trio
    Spanuth's vodvil - Zouary no. 159 | Zouary can no. 159 | Zouary can no 159
    Opening title identifies the Kawana Trio as "artistic foot jugglers." The camera iris opens to reveal three Asians--two men and a woman--dressed in kimonos and looking down. They raise their heads and look at the camera, smiling, as the iris closes. Another iris effect opens to a stage with a dark background and a decorated, cushioned platform center stage. The men now wear white...
    • Contributor: Spanuth, Hans A. - Kawana Trio - Commonwealth Pictures Corporation - Afi/Zouary (Maurice) Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1919
  • Film, Video
    Dancing darkey boy In this outside scene, a small African American boy--dressed in a cap, leggings, and suit with short pants--dances on a table or other flat, raised surface. Surrounding and encouraging him with hand claps is a group of men, dressed in a variety of styles, from shirtsleeves and caps to suits and hats, with one gentleman in a formal suit and top hat. Visible in...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Heise, William
    • Date: 1897
  • Film, Video
    Sandow
    Sandow (no breathing)
    Strong-man Eugene (Eugen) Sandow poses in a long shot on a bare stage against a black background, wearing only tight trunks and laced sandals. He begins with his arms folded against his chest, looking off screen left, then strikes a variety of poses that accentuate his muscular development. These positions include flexing his right arm with the fist to his head and face to...
    • Contributor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Sandow, Eugen - American Mutoscope Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1896
  • Film, Video
    Mr. Jack in the dressing room
    Mr. Jack visits the dressing room | Mister Jack in the dressing room
    Opens on a stage set of the interior of a theatrical dressing room. Along a bar that serves as a dressing table sit three costumed young women adjusting their hair and makeup in three mirrors hanging from the wall. Two of the women wear very short outfits that show their stockinged legs; the third woman is dressed in a ruffled dress to the knee....
    • Contributor: Weed, A. E. - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1904
  • Film, Video
    Chimmie Hicks at the races
    Above the limit | Jimmy Hicks at the races
    On a bare stage backed by a dark curtain, a man dressed in a three-piece suit and overcoat holds a racing program and excitedly watches a race supposedly taking place offstage. With enthusiastic jumping and other delighted pantomime, he makes it clear his horse has won the race. A second man in a suit and hat enters from stage right and pays Chimmie his...
    • Contributor: Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - Armitage, F. S. - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Grapewin, Charles - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1900
  • Film, Video
    Latina, contortionist
    Latina, contortionist-act-with-rings
    A woman wearing a light-colored leotard, gathered at the waist, and tights stands against a black background. Although she is filmed in a long shot, her feet are cut off in the frame. She opens with a flourish of her arms and faces the camera. First stretching up with her arms, Latina then bends in half at the waist, steps into a metal ring...
    • Contributor: Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Bitzer, G. W. - Latina - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1905
  • Film, Video
    Subub surprises the burglar
    Subbubs surprises the burglar
    Opens on a bedroom set, with a man in a white nightshirt asleep on a Murphy bed. The bedroom window is raised from the outside, and a man dressed in black clothes and cap enters, furtively looks around the room, and checks to see that the bed's occupant is asleep. The burglar then rummages through the clothes in a chest of drawers and, finding...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Porter, Edwin S.
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Dance, Franchonetti Sisters
    Dance, Franchenette Sisters
    Three young women with dark, curly hair stand on a stage with a black background and patterned carpet or tile underfoot. They wear tights, ballet shoes, and frilly dresses to the knee with multiple petticoats and ruffled drawers. They begin by raising their right legs up by their heads, and then perform a dance with a variety of kicks and leg movements, their hands...
    • Contributor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Cake walk
    Coon cake walk | Darkey cake walk | Cakewalk
    Five African Americans--three men and two women--perform a cakewalk, a dance featuring fancy strutting that was named after the prize awarded in the original contests. The dancers wear rather formal attire, with the men in dark suits and black tie and the women in full-length, high-collared dark dresses; one woman carries a small American flag. As they step in place against a light background,...
    • Contributor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1903