actress

The legendary Broadway singer and comedienne, Fanny Brice, is featured on the cover of this 1915 song, written by Tin Pan Alley songwriter Harry von Tilzer.  An aircraft at night with Ms. Brice under its spotlight is a fine example of imagination and show business hustle.  It is part of the Bella C. Landauer Collection of Aeronautical Sheet Music from the National Air and Space Museum Library.

The gift of a single poster has swelled into a respected and comprehensive collection of more than 25,000 rare film posters, lobby cards, and photographs, resulting in what is now the Separate Cinema Archive. Started in 1972 and collected and maintained by the archive’s founder and professional photographer, John Kisch, the collection chronicles the historic and blustery journey of the Black film industry, Black actors and directors, and the struggle for African-American equality. Kisch collaborated with film historian Dr. Edward Mapp to create this companion book for the Archive in 1991.