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| The Collections In 1951 Smiles donated Harry’s collection of sheet music to Morrisson-Reeves Library. The New York Public Library had requested the collection, but Smiles felt it should stay in the city he called home. This collection consists of more than four thousand pieces of music covering 3,430 different titles and spans the first half of the 20th century. Patrons can search the catalog by title, composer, lyricist, first line of text, or first line of chorus. For example, the song “Stardust” can be located by using any of the following search terms:
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![]() 16 inch transcription disc beside an audio cassette |
After Smiles’ death in 1981, her son donated her collection of 16” discs to Morrisson-Reeves Library. This collection consists of all but two of the 260 Transcription Sales Company Reminiscin’ with Singin’ Sam programs, in addition to nine programs of Refreshment Time with Singin’ Sam and a 30-minute documentary biography aired after his death and written by Smiles. The contents of these discs were transferred to cassettes, and the cassettes may be checked out. Each song on each show is listed in the catalog, but only by title. | ||||
| Harry did make one known movie appearance in a short film in Paramount’s Screen Songs series. These shorts combined cartoons with live action, each featuring a popular musical personality. These performers would sing a song with the lyrics superimposed across the bottom. The famous “Bouncing Ball” would then encourage audiences to sing along. Harry sang “This Little Piggie Went to Market” in his 1934 release, and Morrisson-Reeves holds a VHS tape containing thirteen Screen Songs, including "Singin' Sam’s." | ![]() |
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