Compilation reel with Benny Goodman performances: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A compilation reel with scenes from The Big Broadcast of 1937 and a Benny Goodman performance. It consists of a single reel of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film with bilateral variable-area optical sound. The first film opens with a scene from the feature film The Big Broadcast of 1937, in which the Benny Goodman Orchestra can be seen performing onstage. Afterwards, an illuminated sign that reads [BROADCASTING / THEATRE / PLATT / GOLF BALL / PROGRAM] appears on the screen and a crowd of people can be seen underneath the sign. A voice can be heard saying “Sorry, folks, the theatre is full.” another voice can be heard saying, “this is the Platt Hour, bringing to you Benny Goodman and his famous swing band.” The band is seen performing again. In another scene, a man and woman enter a room where Benny Goodman's band is rehearsing. In the second film Benny Goodman and his band performs in front of an audience. Two of the songs they perform are "Stealin' Apples" and "The World is Waiting for Sunrise."

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1937 and 1961
• Directed by: Mitchell Leisen, American, 1898 - 1972
• Subject of: Benny Goodman, American, 1909 - 1986
• Subject of: Benny Goodman Orchestra, American
• Owned by: Ernie Smith, American, ca. 1925 - 2004
• Type: sound films
• Type: black-and-white films (visual works)
• Type: 16mm (photographic film size)
• Type: film clips
• Medium: acetate film
• Dimensions: Duration (digital file): 00:12:32
• Dimensions: Physical extent (film): 425 ft
• Place made: United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Documentary films
• Topic: Film
• Topic: Jazz (Music)
• Object number: 2015.275.11.1a
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Anonymous Gift in memory of Ernest (Ernie) R. Smith, Jazz Historian
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.