Museum of Miniature Found Objects

The Festival of Film and the Found Object has just held its first successful event at the Museum of Miniature Found Objects. The Festival features a fascinating sequence of films that use found objects as a plot device, from Hollywood to Bollywood and beyond. Last night's showing was RKO's 1941 Ball of Fire. One of the highlights was Barbara Stanwyck (with Martha Tilton providing her singing voice) performing 'Drum Boogie' with Gene Krupa and his band. Excitingly, Gene Krupa goes on to repeat the number, replacing his drums with a matchbox and using matches for his drumsticks. It's this ordinary household item, found in the pocket of a waiter in the nightclub, and used by Krupa to recreate the thrilling musical number that particularly intrigued the Museum of Miniature Found Objects.

To enlarge the screen, double click on the image. For forthcoming screenings, check the museum's listing for events in the Early Human Culture and the Found Object Galleries.