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Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection

Performer:
Basie, Count, 1904-1984  Search this
Webster, Ben  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Fitzgerald, Ella, 1917-1996  Search this
Goodman, Benny (Benjamin David), 1909-1986  Search this
Jamal, Ahmad, 1930-  Search this
Robinson, Bill, 1878-1949  Search this
Davis, Miles  Search this
Collector:
Smith, Ernie  Search this
Names:
Apollo Theatre (New York, N.Y.)  Search this
Extent:
30 Cubic feet (352 film reels , 16 mm)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Motion pictures (visual works)
Place:
Harlem (New York, N.Y.) -- 20th century
Date:
1894-1979
Summary:
More than 300 reels of 16mm black and white and color film, silent and sound, fiction and documentary motion picture film documenting jazz and related musical performances, social and popular dance styles and performances, jazz musicians, performance locales, and documentation of African-American popular culture. A list of featured performers in the collection is shown below. The films are frequently compilations produced by Smith for lectures.
Scope and Contents:
The collection consists of 352 reels of 16mm motion picture film. Most of the film is 16mm black and white and sound (composite optical track print), although a few titles are silent or in color. The collection is comprised of compilation reels created by Ernie Smith to accompany his lectures, topical compilation reels created by Ernie Smith, compilation reels created by the Archives Center, and single title reels. The Archives Center produced master and reference video copies using a wet-gate telecine film-to-tape transfer system. Titles were often combined to allow for increased ease of handling, storage, and duplication.

The collection is strongest in the areas of jazz dance styles including Lindy Hop and tap, overviews of jazz musical performers and styles; specific jazz musicians and performers including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Woody Herman, Artie Shaw, Bob Crosby, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Jack Teagarden as well as a wide range of female vocalists; and documentation of the New York jazz and club scene. The collection includes feature films and excerpts from feature films, Soundies and other film shorts, television kinescopes, and documentary films.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into one series and is not arranged in accordance with standard archival procedures. The breadth of the collection and the existence of so many multiple topic and/or performer compilation reels made it impossible to impose traditional archival series order. Therefore, each reel is described at the item level in the container list.
Biographical:
Ernest (Ernie) Smith began collecting jazz and jazz dance films during the mid-1950s. An Art Director for a New York advertising agency, Smith had a long-standing interest in jazz and jazz dance that began during his youth in Pittsburgh, Pa. Early on, Smith discovered that jazz music was best appreciated while dancing. He became an accomplished Lindy Hopper, frequenting both white and African American ballrooms.

His job at the advertising agency supported Smith's two passions - painting and jazz dance and music. Smith was also a film enthusiast so, in 1954, after taking a jazz class at the New School taught by Marshall Stearns, a leading jazz scholar, he began collecting examples of jazz and jazz dance on film. In the process of creating his film collection, Smith became one of the leading authorities on jazz and jazz dance films. He collaborated with Stearns on the 1964 book Jazz Dance, compiling the book's jazz dance film listing. He also wrote the extensive entry on jazz film for the 1988 edition of New Grove Dictionary of Jazz .

Smith built his film collection by identifying films of potential interest and acquiring them through trade and purchase. He created lecture reels on specific topics -- the history of jazz, social dance, tap dance, Duke Ellington, Lindy Hop -- and presented lecture/screenings nationally and internationally. He also provided footage for numerous documentaries and maintained active relationships with filmmakers, other film collectors, jazz scholars, the swing dance community, and musicians.

Ernie Smith donated his film collection to the Archives Center in 1993. He continues to lecture and participate in swing dance activities, but he devotes the majority of his time to painting and related artistic pursuits.
Provenance:
The Archives Center acquired the collection from Ernie Smith in 1993.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Tap dancing -- 1930-1970  Search this
Motion pictures and music -- 1930-1970  Search this
Dancing in motion pictures, television, etc. -- 1930-1970  Search this
Television and music -- 1930-1970  Search this
Jazz -- 20th century -- United States  Search this
Jazz musicians -- 1930-1970  Search this
Jazz dance -- 1930-1970  Search this
African Americans in the performing arts -- 1930-1970  Search this
Genre/Form:
Motion pictures (visual works) -- 20th century
Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0491
See more items in:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep85baeb0e0-8e94-4ce0-8c80-7f25800ee24a
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0491

Sweethearts of Rhythm to Make Debut in New York City's Apollo Theatre. [Black-and-white newspaper clipping]

Names:
Apollo Theatre (New York, N.Y.)  Search this
Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Ink on paper., 8-1/4" x 9-7/8".)
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Clippings
Place:
New York (N.Y.) -- 20th century
Scope and Contents:
Undated. Includes caption and reproductions of four photographs.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000073.tif (AC Scan No.)
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, 1937-1949", from March 25, 2011 through May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, curator.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Genre/Form:
Clippings
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 3: Dixie Hardy Moon Materials / News clippings and promotions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep87c2f29d7-750d-4383-a343-7267ffdc6e17
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref606

Showtime at the Apollo / Ted Fox

Author:
Fox, Ted 1954-  Search this
Subject:
Apollo Theatre (New York, N.Y. : 42nd Street)  Search this
Physical description:
xii, 324 p. : ill. ; 24 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
New York (State)
New York
New York (N.Y.)
Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Date:
1993
1983
20th century
Topic:
African American theater--History  Search this
African American entertainers--Interviews  Search this
Music-halls (Variety-theaters, cabarets, etc.)  Search this
Buildings, structures, etc  Search this
History  Search this
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_462376

Amateur night at the Apollo : Ralph Cooper presents five decades of great entertainment / Ralph Cooper with Steve Dougherty

Author:
Cooper, Ralph 1908-1992  Search this
Dougherty, Steve 1948-  Search this
Subject:
Apollo Theatre (New York, N.Y. : 42nd Street)  Search this
Physical description:
x, 260 p. : ill. ; 25 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
New York (State)
New York
Date:
1990
C1990
Topic:
African Americans--Music--History and criticism  Search this
Popular music--History and criticism  Search this
Call number:
ML3479.C66 1990X
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_413067

Harlem's High Spot / Apollo [newsprint]

Names:
Apollo Theatre (New York, N.Y.)  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Fitzgerald, Ella  Search this
Collection Collector:
Schiffman, Frank, ?-1972  Search this
Collection Donor:
Schiffman, Jack  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (8.5" x 11".)
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Clippings
Place:
Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Date:
[unknown]
Scope and Contents:
"All Girl / Revue / with the / International / Sweethearts / of Rhythm / Added Attraction / The Cats / and the / Fiddle", around Sptember 5th [no year]. "Ella Fitzgerald / and her / Band, featuring / Teddy / McRae / Miller / Bros. / & Lois", around Septermber 12th (no year). Author unidentified.
Arrangement:
In Box 7, Folder 4.
Local Numbers:
AC0540-0000064.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Archives Center's Women in Jazz
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Jazz  Search this
African American musicians  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Women in music  Search this
Genre/Form:
Clippings
Collection Citation:
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theatre Collection, 1935-1973, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theater Collection
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theater Collection / Series 3: Publicity / Playbills and pamphlets
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0540-ref612

The / Nancy / Wilson / Cannonball / Adderley / ... / Flip / Wilson / Show [newspaper advertisement proof]

Advertiser:
Apollo Theatre (New York, N.Y.)  Search this
Names:
Adderley, Cannonball  Search this
Wilson, Flip  Search this
Wilson, Nancy, 1937-  Search this
Collection Collector:
Schiffman, Frank, ?-1972  Search this
Collection Donor:
Schiffman, Jack  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (8" x 6".)
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Advertisements
Newspapers
Place:
Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Date:
1968
Scope and Contents:
Newspaper advertisement proof for Apollo Theatre acts performing the week of April 12, 1968, Nancy Wilson, Cannonball Adderley, Duke Pearson Orchestra, Flip Wilson, and the Impacts.
Arrangement:
In Box 7, Folder 1.
Local Numbers:
AC0540-0000044.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Archives Center's Women in Jazz
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Singers  Search this
Jazz  Search this
African American musicians  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Women in music  Search this
Women in jazz  Search this
Genre/Form:
Advertisements -- 1950-2000.
Newspapers
Collection Citation:
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theatre Collection, 1935-1973, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theater Collection
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theater Collection / Series 3: Publicity / Print media newspaper clippings, flyers, etc. (reference)
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0540-ref613

[Negative comments about Billie Holiday : index card]

Creator:
Apollo Theatre (New York, N.Y.)  Search this
Names:
Holiday, Billie, 1915-1959  Search this
Collection Collector:
Schiffman, Frank, ?-1972  Search this
Collection Donor:
Schiffman, Jack  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (5" x 8".)
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Cards
Typescripts
Card files
Place:
New York (N.Y.) -- 1950-1960
Date:
September 16, 1955
Scope and Contents:
Index card with typed negative comments about Billie Holiday's performance. Author unidentified.
Local Numbers:
00054001.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Featured in Archives Center's Women in Jazz Exhibit.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. The scrapbooks in Series 5 are in extremely fragile condition. They cannot be made available for use until they are preserved.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Jazz  Search this
Women in music  Search this
Women in jazz  Search this
Genre/Form:
Cards
Typescripts
Card files
Collection Citation:
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theatre Collection, 1935-1973, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theater Collection
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theater Collection / Series 2: Business and Financial Records / Booking cards (A-L)
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0540-ref611

Pearl Bailey, newspaper advertisement

Advertiser:
Apollo Theatre (New York, N.Y.)  Search this
Names:
Bailey, Pearl  Search this
Collection Collector:
Schiffman, Frank, ?-1972  Search this
Collection Donor:
Schiffman, Jack  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (9" x 4".)
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Advertisements
Newspapers
Clippings
Place:
Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Date:
1965
Scope and Contents:
Newspaper ad for Apollo Theatre acts performing the week of October 22; Pearl Bailey and her Revue, Bunny Briggs, Martin Bros.
Arrangement:
In Box 7, Folder 3.
Local Numbers:
AC0540-0000049.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Archives Center's Women in Jazz
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Women in music  Search this
Singers  Search this
Jazz  Search this
African American musicians  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Women in jazz  Search this
Genre/Form:
Advertisements -- 1960-1970
Newspapers
Clippings -- 1950-2000
Collection Citation:
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theatre Collection, 1935-1973, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theater Collection
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theater Collection / Series 3: Publicity / Print media, reference
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0540-ref614

Frank Schiffman Apollo Theater Collection

Collector:
Schiffman, Frank, ?-1972  Search this
Donor:
Schiffman, Jack  Search this
Names:
Apollo Theatre (New York, N.Y.)  Search this
Schiffman, Robert  Search this
Extent:
4 Cubic feet (16 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Publicity photographs
Ledgers (account books)
Handbills
Photographs
Awards
Scrapbooks
Place:
New York (N.Y.) -- 20th century
Harlem (New York, N.Y.) -- 20th century
Date:
1931-1985
Scope and Contents:
The Frank Schiffman Apollo Theater Collection documents the business endeavors of Frank Schiffman, and the Apollo Theater's contribution to American culture. The collection includes sound recordings, personal and business correspondence, photographs, business records, and printed material. The collection is arranged in six series as follows:

Series 1: Correspondence, 1938-1985, consists of communications to and from Frank Schiffman, Jack Schiffman, and various business associates and friends. Correspondence is arranged in chronological order and by coresspondent..

Series 2: Business Records, 1931-1974, includes financial ledgers; phone books; booking cards containing names, dates, and performance reviews; and accounting documents pertaining to the management of the Apollo Theater.

Series 3: Publicity, undated, includes print media, pamphlets, scrapbooks, and flyers documenting the numerous performances and activities at the Apollo Theater. Several of the newsprint advertisements were reprinted in two books written about the Apollo Theater: Ted Fox's Showtime at the Apollo Theater, and Jack Schiffman's Uptown: The Story of Harlem's Apollo Theater.

Series 4: Photographs, undated primarily standard publicity stills of vocalists, comedians, musicians, and other artists who performed at the Apollo Theater, such as Lena Horne, Bo Diddley, Pearl Bailey, B.B. King, Jackson Five, Pigmeat Markham, Moms Mabley, Dick Gregory, Richard Pryor, and the Nicholas Brothers. Also includes candid shots of Frank Schiffman with business associates and friends. Similar to the print media, many of the photographs were used as illustrations in Ted Fox's Showtime at the Apollo Theater, and Jack Schiffman's Uptown: The Story of Harlem's Apollo Theater.

Series 5: Ephemera, undated, includes interview transcripts, various manuscripts, and architectural drawings of the Apollo Theater.

Series 6: Audio Recordings, 1940-1975, contains promotional broadcasts, publicity shorts, and one random music album. All of the audio recordings in the Schiffman Collection originated on 1/4" open reel audio tape and have cassette reference copies.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into six series.

Series 1: Correspondence, 1938-1985, undated

Series 2: Business Records, 1931-1974

Series 3: Publicity, undated

Series 4: Photographs, undated

Series 5: Ephemera, undated

Series 6: Audio Recordings, 1940-1975
Biographical / Historical:
The Apollo Theater is located in the Harlem section of New York City. A prominent and influential institution, the Apollo Theater hosted numerous performances by popular entertainers who were primarily African-American, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday, Smokey Robinson, and the Temptations from the early 1930s to the present. It became best known as the site of "amateur night" programs, which catapulted many of its winners (and losers) to national and international acclaim. To this day, the Apollo Theater remains an important fixture in both the music industry and the African-American community.

The son of Austrian immigrants, Frank Schiffman began his career in the promotion and distribution of motion pictures in New York City. As his career grew, he managed various New York theaters such as the Lafayette and the Harlem Opera House. In 1934, Frank Schiffman became the first manager of the ApolloTheater. Soon thereafter, he became co-owner, and retained the management position until the early 1960s. Schiffman's lack of racial bias as well as his keen business sense helped the Apollo Theater to become a cultural icon within the performance industry. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Schiffman's sons, Jack and Robert assisted him with the management of the Apollo, and later took over management upon Frank Schiffman's retirement. Frank Schiffman died in 1974 at the age of eighty.
Related Materials:
John and Devra Levy Collection, dates

Program in African American Culture, dates
Provenance:
Collection donated to the Archives Center by Jack and Robert Schiffman in January 1996.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. The scrapbooks in Series 5 are in extremely fragile condition. They cannot be made available for use until they are preserved.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
African American entertainers -- 20th century  Search this
Entertainers -- 1930-1980  Search this
Concerts -- New York (State) -- New York  Search this
African American musicians  Search this
Music-halls -- 1930-1980  Search this
Theaters -- New York (State) -- New York  Search this
Genre/Form:
Publicity photographs
Ledgers (account books)
Handbills
Photographs -- 20th century
Awards
Scrapbooks -- 20th century
Citation:
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theatre Collection, 1935-1973, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0540
See more items in:
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theater Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0540
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