Exhibitions Home | Current | Upcoming | Past | Virtual

Have You Heard the One about...? Phyllis Diller's Gag File

August 12, 2011 - October 30, 2011 (new closing date)

Museum: American History Museum

Location: Albert Small Documents Gallery, 2nd Floor, East Wing

This exhibition explores the genius of actress and stand-up comic Phyllis Diller. Her comedic persona -- complete with zany costumes and raucous laugh -- pushed the boundaries and traditional values of her 1950s audience and broke the gender barrier present in stand-up comedy at the time. She paved the way for future generations of female comics. Objects on view include Diller's 48-drawer steel filing cabinet containing more than 50,000 jokes and gags, wig, wrist-length gloves, ankle boots, and bejeweled cigarette holder.

Online Exhibition