Finding Aid for the Ethel Smith papers, 1950s-1990s

Processed by Natalie Snoyman and Sue Hwang; machine-readable finding aid created by Sue Hwang, Julie Graham, and Caroline Cubé.

UCLA Library Special Collections

Performing Arts Special Collections

Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library

Box 951575

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575

spec-coll@library.ucla.edu

URL: http://www2.library.ucla.edu/specialcollections/performingarts/index.cfm

Descriptive Summary

Title: Ethel Smith papers,

Date (inclusive): 1950s-1990s

Collection number: 361

Creator: Smith, Ethel, 1902-1996

Extent: 7 boxes (4.0 linear ft)3 flat boxes

Abstract: Ethel Smith gained fame as an organist and performer through radio, film, and records. Most associated with her career is her widely popular rendition of Tico Tico. The collection consists of materials related to her career and includes scrapbooks of press clippings, souvenir programs, publicity stills and photographs, sound recordings, and publications from the Ethel Smith Music Corporation.

Language: Finding aid is written in English.

Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Performing Arts Special Collections.

Los Angeles, California 90095-1575

Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Performing Arts Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Access

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library, Performing Arts Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

RESTRICTED Access: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Restrictions on Use and Reproduction

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Performing Arts Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Ethel Smith papers (Collection 361). Performing Arts Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.

Biography

Ethel Goldsmith was born on November 22, 1910, in Pittsburgh, PA. She attended Carnegie Tech and majored in piano. She gained fame as an organist and performer through radio, film, and records. Most associated with her career is her widely popular rendition of Tico Tico. Spotted by a talent agent while working as the house organist at the St. Regis hotel in New York, she began appearing on radio in the late 1930s. In 1941 she took over from Eddie Duchin at the Copacabana Casino in Rio de Janeiro. She returned to the US and began playing for Your Hit Parade in 1943 where she arranged popular songs and performed with Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, among others. In 1944 she appeared in the musical numbers for Bathing Beauty, her first feature for MGM. Other motion picture credits include Scandals, Twice Blessed, Easy to Wed, and Disney's Melody Time. During the course of her career she also appeared in stage performances such as Beyond Desire, The Desk Set, Season of Choice, and The Women. Smith founded her own publishing company, Ethel Smith Music Corporation in the mid-1940s which published arrangements of popular tunes and instructional books for the Hammond organ, as well as other items such as Ethel Smith's Latin American Rhythms for Percussion Instruments and her Hammond arrangements of Fritz Kreisler's violin pieces. Smith produced over 20 albums, mostly with Decca. She developed a nightclub act in which she played the organ and other instruments, sang and told jokes. Smith collected percussion instruments from all over the world which she used on records and in performances. In the 1960s she took a renewed interest in acting, taking small roles on stage and in film. In the 1970s she relocated to Palm Beach, Florida, where she occasionally performed for special occasions. She died in May 1996, in Palm Beach, Florida.

Scope and Content

Collection consists of materials related to the career of entertainer and musician, Ethel Smith. Included are sound recordings (including pieces from the Decca Personality Series), scrapbooks of press clippings, publicity stills and photographs, and a very small amount of correspondence, souvenir programs, printed music, and publications from the Ethel Smith Music Corporation. Additionally there is a script and budget report for the film, Lets Live a Little, and two contracts--one for Smith's last performance at Broward College Bailey Theatre.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged in the following series:

Sound Recordings
Scrapbooks and Clippings
Photographs
Printed Material
General Files

Subjects

Smith, Ethel, 1902-1996 -- Archives.

Entertainers -- United States -- Archival resources.

Women organists -- United States -- Archival resources.

Sound Recordings

Box 11

Adios - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 7

At The End Of A Perfect Day Ethel Smith organ solos - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Babooshka - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Babooshka Babouska - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 7

Bouqet of the Blues Ethel Smith at the organ - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Brazil E. Smith - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 7

Bright and Breezy Ethel Smith organ solos - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Cancao do poly (Poly's song) - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Carinhoso E. Smith - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Carioca - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Carnival - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Carnival Capers - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 8

Complete Organ Routine drum insert with rhythm background - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 3, Folder 2

Concerto Grosso in E Major, Op. 8, No. 1 - long play record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 7

Dance to the Latin Rhythms of Ethel Smith - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Ethel Meets the Count E. Smith - 45 RPM record album (2 copies) no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 6, Folder 2

Ethel Smith Hammond Organ Publications 1948, 1949

Scope and Content Note

Sheet music in loose-bound binder, Ethel Smith Music Corp.

Box 8

Ethel Smith Make Mine Hawaiian - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 7

Ethel Smith on Broadway - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 7

Ethel Smith Organ Solos - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 7

Ethel Smith Parade - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Physical Description: Signed album cover.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 3, Folder 1

Ethel Smith Plays the Hits - record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Ethel Smith Plays the Hits Vol. 1 - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Ethel Smith Plays the Hits Vol. 2 - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 3

Ethel Smith Sings 'Sing a Tropical Song' - 78 RPM recording no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Ethel Smith Souvenir Album - 45 RPM record album (2 discs) no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 7

Ethel Smith Swings Sweetly - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Ethel Smith Vol. 1 - 45 RPM record album (2 copies) no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Ethel Smith Vol. 2 - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 7

Ethel Smith… Rhythm Antics! Organ and percussion - 33 1/3 LP RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 7

Ethel Smith's Cha-Cha-Cha Album - 33 1/3 LP RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 7

Ethel Smith's Cha-Cha-Cha Album - 33 1/3 LP RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 7

Galloping Fingers Ethel Smith - 33 1/3 LP RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Gypsy in My Soul E. Smith - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 8

Hollywood Favorites Ethel Smith organ solos - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 8

Lady Fingers Ethel Smith - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Meditation - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Meringue Simon E. Smith - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 8

Miss Smith Goes to Paris - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album (2 copies) no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Moonglow and Love Theme Picnic Morris Stoloff - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Old Black Magic E. Smith - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

One of Those Things E. Smith - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

One of Those Things E. Smith - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 8

Organ Holiday Ethel Smith organ solos - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 9

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Side A: The Parrot. Side B: (1) Paran Pan Pin (2) Cachita.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 9

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Side A: Liza. Side B: I Got Rhythm.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 9

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Side A: Just A Prayer Away. Side B: My Mother's Waltz.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 9

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Titles: If; Be My Love.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 9

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Side A: The Sweetest Story Ever Told. Side B: Mighty Lak' A Rose.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 9

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Side A: Toca Tu Sambra. Side B: Dinorah.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 9

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Side A: La Bamba De Vera Cruz. Side B: Tic-Toc Rhumba.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 9

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Titles: The Loveliest Night of the Year; The Syncopated Clock.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 9

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Side A: White Christmas. Side B: Jingle Bells.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 9

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Side A: Easter Parade. Side B: A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 9

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Titles: The Breeze and I; (1) Alla En El Rancho Grande (2) Las Altenitas.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 9

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Side A: The Green Cockatoo. Side B: Blame It On the Samba.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 10

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Titles: The Loveliest Night of the Year; The Syncopated Clock.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 10

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Titles: The Galloping Comedians; Sleigh Ride.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 10

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Side A: Teddy Bear's Picnic. Side B: Fiddle-Faddle.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 10

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Titles: Steamboat Rag; Maple Leaf Rag.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 10

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Titles: Largo; Clair De Lune.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 10

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Side A: Over Three Hills. Side B: Beautiful Wisconsin.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 10

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Titles: The Tubby the Tuba Song; Monkey on a String.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 10

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Titles: Cuban Cutie; Mambo Jambo.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 10

Phonograph album book containing Decca Personality series 78 RPM recordings no date

Scope and Content Note

Titles: Cataña; The Samba Polka.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Propak No. 1 - 33 1/3 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Rhythm Antics - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 3, Folder 5

Rhythm slow bass - record no date

Physical Description: Title annotated on item.

Note

RESTRICTED access: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Rhythm Track No. 1 E. Smith - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Rhythm Track No. 2 E. Smith - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Rhythm Track No. 3 E. Smith - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Rhythm Track No. 4 E. Smith - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 3, Folder 4

Rosina - record no date

Physical Description: Title annotated on item.

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 8

Seated One Day at the Organ Ethel Smith - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 8

Silent Night-Holy Night Ethel Smith organ solos - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

St. Louis Blues E. Smith - 45 RPM record album (2 copies) no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 8

The Many Moods of Ethel Smith - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Tico Tico E. Smith - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Tonight's The Night - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 3

Tonight's the Night - 45 RPM recording no date

Scope and Content Note

Copy: Ethel Smith Decca Master.

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Unidentified sound recording - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Unidentified sound recording - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Unidentified sound recording - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Unidentified sound recording - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Unidentified sound reocrding - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 8

Unidentified title (in Russian) - 33 1/3 RPM LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

Verve Records - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 3, Folder 3

Waltzing Cat (The) and Three Cornered Tune - sample release record no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 11

What Is - 45 RPM record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Box 8

Wonderful Sounds of Christmas - LP record album no date

Note

RESTRICTED ACCESS: Use of audio material requires production of listening copies.

Scrapbooks and Clippings

Box 1, Folder 1

Clippings no date

Box 1, Folder 2

Clippings 1950s

Box 1, Folder 3

Clippings 1960s

Box 1, Folder 4

Clippings 1970s

Box 1, Folder 5

Clippings 1980s

Box 1, Folder 6

Clippings 1990s

Box 1, Folder 8

Clippings (foreign language) no date

Box 1, Folder 7

Clippings (roles in plays) no date

Box 4, Folder 1

Palm Beach Daily News - clipping (laminated) 1986 Oct 1

Box 4, Folder 5

Scrapbook 1953

Scope and Content Note

Spanish language clippings.

Box 4, Folder 6

Scrapbook 1954-1963

Scope and Content Note

Clippings and photograph.

Box 5, Folder 1

Scrapbook 1942-1943

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Box 5, Folder 2

Scrapbook 1944-1946

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Box 4, Folder 2

Scrapbook - Belgian clippings 1949 May

Photographs

Box 1, Folder 9

Miniature Photo Album no date

Box 1, Folder 12

Photographs (snapshots) 1956, 1960s, 1982

Box 1, Folder 13

Photographs (snapshots) no date

Scope and Content Note

Appears to be early to mid-career.

Box 1, Folder 14

Photographs (snapshots) no date

Scope and Content Note

Appears to be later career. Original envelope labeled Florida Photographs.

Box 1, Folder 15

Photographs (snapshots) no date

Scope and Content Note

May include photographs of Palm Beach apartment.

Box 1, Folder 16

Photographs (snapshots) 1985-1994

Box 1, Folder 17

Photographs (snapshots) no date

Scope and Content Note

Original enveloped labeled Cruise Performances.

Box 1, Folder 18

Photographs (snapshots) no date

Scope and Content Note

Original enveloped labeled Northern California.

Box 1, Folder 19

Photographs (snapshots) no date

Scope and Content Note

Original enveloped labeled Foreign Travel.

Box 1, Folder 10

Publicity Stills no date

Scope and Content Note

Many are headshots of Smith.

Box 1, Folder 11

Publicity Stills no date

Scope and Content Note

Appears to related to performances.

Printed Material

Box 2, Folder 2

Advertisement for performances (photocopy) no date

Box 2, Folder 7

Ethel Smith's Latin-American Rhythms For The Percussion Instruments ca. 1951

Scope and Content Note

Latin rhythms for drummers and all other instrumentalists.

Box 6, Folder 1

Marin Veteran's Memorial Theater - performance poster no date

Box 2, Folder 4

Memorabilia from cruises ca. 1960s, 1992

Box 2, Folder 8

Printed music no date

Note

Original folder titled Ethel Smith Printed Music.

Box 4, Folder 4

Ralph Wolfe Cowan's A Personal Vision, Volume 1 no date

Scope and Content Note

With inscription to Ethel on title page.

Box 2, Folder 3

Souvenir programs and flyers 1941-1989

General Files

Box 2, Folder 1

Contracts from performances at Broward College Bailey Theatre and the Ohio Theatre. 1977, 1982

Box 2, Folder 10

Let's Live a Little - script and budget report 1965

Scope and Content Note

May have been released as C'mon, Let's Live a Little in 1967 (as per the American Film Institute Catalog).

Box 4, Folder 3

Letter from Hugh Palmer to Ethel Smith 1983 June 29

Box 2, Folder 9

Letter from Raul Apold to Ethel Smith 1953 Sept 3

Box 2, Folder 5

Performance notes 1960s-1980s

Note

Removed from envelope addressed to Kathryn Smith.

Box 2, Folder 6

Song lyrics no date

Note

Removed from envelope addressed to Kathryn Smith.