Smithsonian Exhibit Explores How Entertainment Shaped America

Enter the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC later this week and you’ll be greeted by two friends: C-3PO and R2-D2, who appeared in “Return of the Jedi.” Asked how visitors reacted to the “Star Wars” couple, Smithsonian curator John Trautman replied, “Well, I can describe my reaction: Shock! These are must-haves in my life.” Indispensable characters. They touched my soul deeply.”

These robots are part of a new Smithsonian exhibit “Entertainment Nation/Show Nation”, A bilingual examination of 150 years of American history through music, sports, and moving images.

CBS News’ John Dixon asked, “In our larger American story, what do you think Star Wars has done for us?”

“That’s a great question,” Trautman said. “And I think that was the first thing that George Lucas was thinking about, he started writing his first movie in 1973, and of course a lot of things were happening in America in 1973. America was still deeply involved in the Vietnam War. He was worried about the republic’s future.”

Even our escape from history is part of our history, says museum curator and historian Anthea Hartig: “Pop culture tells us a lot about ourselves—what we want to be people, how we treat our children, and how we treat our elders.”

At times, more than 200 different objects will talk to each other. Artifacts from “Star Wars” and “Roots,” released the same year, showed how America was drawn to both fantasy and grim reality.

Not all items at the Smithsonian are challenging. Many are just a pleasure. There’s the Mister Rogers sweater, the signpost from “MASH,” and the puppet Howdy Doody.

Others are trophies of victory (Oprah’s gold-plated microphone; Billie Jean King’s “Battle of the Sexes” tennis uniform; Jackie Robinson’s autographed baseball) and objects of genius (Prince’s guitar, displayed alongside hand-made replicas).

Music curator Kristal Klingenberg said the yellow guitar in the film “Purple Rain” was white and repeatedly repainted to match the prince’s kaleidoscopic look. “This guitar has seven coats of paint … various colors,” she said.

“Prince is a fascinating character who really combines not only the mystery and sensuality of a rock star, but also the virtuosity of a composer and musician,” Klingenberg said. “Seeing the real deal right in front of you takes you through time and space.”

Even helping visitors imagine what might happen. The collection includes outfits worn by Selena at the 1994 Tejano Music Awards, a year before she was murdered by the founder of her fan club in 1995, at the age of 23 and at the height of her career period. “Selena became not only the story of this incredible talent and promise, but also the tragedy of all those promises dying too early,” Klingenberg said.

Nothing impresses visitors quite like the ruby ​​slippers Judy Garland wore in the 1939 MGM classic “The Wizard of Oz.”

“We see people cry when they see them, maybe because they were so meaningful to them as children, or because they’re so invested in the story as well,” Trautman said. When they don’t show for a while For months this year, as we built our new exhibit, all the destruction ensued: Where are the ruby ​​slippers? Why are they not on display now? But luckily, they’re on display now – for 20 years! “

At that point, many visitors will need a parent or grandparent to explain why certain objects are so important, and how simple objects can spark a child’s imagination of what he might do in the future.

Like, be a rock star.

For more information:

• “Entertainment Nation/Show Nation”, At the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C. (debuts December 9)
• “Entertainment Nation: How Music, Television, Movies, Sports, and Theater Shaped America” By Kenneth Cohen and John W. Troutman (Smithsonian Press), hardcover, available via amazon, Barnes & Noble and independent
• selena photo courtesy of Arendon

Story produced by Jay Kernis. Editor: Chad Cardin.

john dixon

john dixon Report 60 minutes Served as a correspondent and contributed to a CBS News election special.Before that, he was co-host “CBS This Morning” and serves as chief correspondent and anchor for CBS News in Washington “Facing the whole country”. Dickerson is also a contributor to Slate “Political Carnival”contributing editor at The Atlantic, and “On Her Tracks” and “The Whistleblower: My Favorite Story From Presidential Campaign History.”