Command Performance | Variety | Old Time Radio Downloads

Thanks

Command Performance was a radio program that lightened the hearts of everyone touched by the ravages of World War II. This series of old radio shows began airing in March of 1942 and lasted for two years until 1946. Each episode consisted of 30-minutes of non-stop action and entertainment, featuring the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Command Performance was produced by the War Department to be broadcast to the troops the show was described as "so important and expensive that only Uncle Sam is big enough to sponsor it." Despite the fact that this particular old time radio show was expensive to produce, there was never a lack of sponsors as even civilians across America helped contribute to this war effort. The likes of CBS and NBC donated free studio use to the program and big name stars from across America provided their talents on the air.

Command Performance is WWII entertainment at its finest, as it was made to be sent overseas to support our troops. Begun in March of 1942, it became a weekly wartime 30 minutes of star-studded fun.

Each and every show gets several, or many, stars together to do comedy, songs and even dances, based on the ideas of the GI's listening. At first, the crack writing staff actually took ideas firsthand from the troops themselves. Later, the shows was transcribed by the Armed Forces Radio Service from Hollywood, but continuing to use the requests that poured in from all over the world. All donated their services to this war effort show, including the networks production studios.

Longer sketches are featured on some shows, and seasonal specials tug at the heartstrings. The big bands and singers of the day are featured, too, sometimes together!

The patriotism and dedication of those times shines forth in these performances, and in the comedy, the song and the banter, there is always a simple message - we appreciate what you are doing for us, and we miss you!

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Please enjoy these 297 old time radio episodes:

Air Date	Title	Synopsis
04.28.1946	command performance (219) dinah shore, jimmy durante, andrews sisters	+ Program #219. AFRS origination. Dinah's first song is, "Personality" (done is a sultry slow tempo!...
05.05.1946	command performance (220) kay kyser, lina romay, esther williams	+ Program #220. AFRS origination. Lina Romay starts the show with, "Personality." The recording date...
05.29.1946	command performance fourth anniversary special	+ AFRS origination. A program celebrating the fourth anniversary of the Armed Forces Radio Service. ...
06.16.1946	command performance (226) shirley temple, anita ellis, peter lawford	+ Program #226. AFRS origination. Anita Ellis sings, "Amada Mio." The recording date above is subjec...
06.23.1946	command performance (227) esther williams, peggy lee, lum and abner	+ Program #227. AFRS origination. Esther tries to give swimming lessons. Peggy Lee sings, "I Don't K...
06.30.1946	command performance (228) janet blair, danny kaye, carmen miranda	+ Program #228. AFRS origination. Janet starts the show by singing, "Coax Me A Little Bit." Alan Ree...
09.22.1946	command performance (232) janet blair, david street	+ AFRS origination. The first tune is, "You Go To My Head." The program was recorded during the Spri...
10.20.1946	command performance (235) tyrone power, walter o'keefe, town criers	+ Program #235. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "'S Wonderful." Shirley Booth is announced but ...
11.10.1946	command performance (238) superman (bob hope, bela lugosi)	+ Program #238. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date, the program was released for...
11.24.1946	command performance (240) donna reed, garry moore, connie haines
12.01.1946	command performance (241) judy garland, frank sinatra, phil silvers	+ Judy Garland opens the show singing I Got the Sun in the Morning and the Moon at Night. Phil Silv...
12.08.1946	command performance (242) rudy vallee, dorothy patrick	+ Rudy Vallee is master of ceremonies and opens the show by singing I Love You Just as You are. Next...
12.25.1946	command performance 1946 christmas special, host bob hope (part 1)	+ AFRS origination. A Christmas program. The Merry Macs sing, "Pass The Biscuits, Mirandy." Jerry C...
12.25.1946	command performance 1946 christmas special, host lionel barrymore	+ AFRS origination. A Christmas program. The Merry Macs sing, "Pass The Biscuits, Mirandy." Jerry Co...
12.25.1946	command performance 1946 christmas special, host bob hope (part 2)	+ AFRS origination. A Christmas program. The Merry Macs sing, "Pass The Biscuits, Mirandy." Jerry Co...
02.09.1947	command performance (251) don wilson, victor borge, jimmy durante	+ AFRS origination. The program originates from the Hollywood Bowl. Victor Borge plays his version o...
02.23.1947	command performance (253) ginger rogers, rose marie, phil baker	+ Program #253. AFRS origination. The program was recorded late in 1946, released early in 1947. The...
03.02.1947	command performance (254) carole landis, frank sinatra, jimmy durante
03.09.1947	command performance (255) dick haymes, helen forrest, peter lind hayes
03.23.1947	command performance (257) glenn ford, marilyn maxwell, phil silvers	+ Program #257. AFRS origination. Marilyn Maxwell starts the program with, "The Coffee Song." Phil S...
04.14.1947	command performance (266) george murphy, martha tilton, jerry colonna
05.04.1947	command performance (272) marilyn maxwell, frank sinatra, benny goodman	+ Program #272. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "Basin Street Blues" (Marilyn Maxwell messes up...
05.11.1947	command performance (273) phil baker	+ Program #273. AFRS origination. The program was recording during the Spring of 1947, released duri...
05.14.1947	command performance (271) june havoc, connie haines, edgar bergen
05.25.1947	command performance (275) meredith willson, lina romay, paulina carter	+ Program #275. AFRS origination. Lina Romay sings, "A Man Is A Brother To A Mule." Meredith Willson...

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That's a great show

Chris

deserve an Oscar in this film but also many others like "Casablanca."

Scott

Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart one of my favorites.

Armand

here will always be only one Marilyn. Beautiful, sexy and despite what critics said, a good actress. Loved her in Some Like It Hot.

William

Love him in everything, but especially as Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities ("'Tis a far, far better thing...") The Halls are fun to listen to.--Mrs. F

Pat

Love him! He had one of the greatest voices!

Jane

“Command Performance” was one of the mainstays of Armed Forces Radio Service programming during World War II. Listeners heard a variety of performances — such as music, comedy and drama — from some of the biggest names in entertainment in that era.

Eddie

command performance is a great show.

Andy

Featuring all of the current existing programs dated from 1942 until 1949. This series is one of my favorites, having radio & movie stars appearing in each program. Every show has a main guest star, but many others appear along with the main star. A show might have Shirley Temple as main guest, but Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Abbott & Costello might appear too. The stars all worked for free on these programs that were produced by AFRS to be sent to GIs around the world on 16" transcriptions, and they did some of their best work on these programs.

COMMAND PERFORMANCE