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
12.20.1943	command performance (098) fred allen, ginny simms, benny goodman	+ Program #98. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The program was distributed i...
12.21.1943	command performance (099) fred waring, kate smith, orson welles	+ Program #99. AFRS origination. A "Broadway Edition" (the program originates from New York). The fi...
12.25.1943	christmas 1943 bob hope	+ AFRS origination. An extended Christmas special. Kay Kyser and his Orchestra play, "St. James Infi...
12.25.1943	1943 christmas special part 1	+ AFRS origination. An extended Christmas special. Kay Kyser and his Orchestra play, "St. James Infi...
12.25.1943	1943 christmas special part 2	+ Program #69. AFRS origination. The program was recorded on the above date, released during the sum...
01.08.1944	command performance (100) shirley ross, carmen miranda, veronica lake	+ Command Performance USA brings you the greatest entertainers in America as requested by the fighti...
01.15.1944	command performance (101) frances langford, virginia o'brien, revuers	+ Program #101. AFRS origination. The first selection is, "Shoo Shoo, Baby," sung by Frances Langfor...
01.22.1944	command performance (102) bob hope, joan leslie, dennis day	+ Program #102/208. AFRS origination. The program was released early, 1944. The first tune is, "Rach...
01.31.1944	command performance (103) robert young, glenn miller, mary martin
02.01.1944	command performance (104) second anniversary show	+This episode marks the two year anniversary of Command Performance and begins with the song that op...
02.05.1944	command performance (105) jerry colonna, fibber mcgee and molly, ethel waters	+ Program #105. AFRS origination. Jim and Marian Jordan appear as "Fibber McGee and Molly." colonna ...
02.12.1944	command performance (106) bob hope, frank sinatra, judy garland
02.19.1944	command performance (107) loretta young, frances langford, connie boswell	+ Program #107. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "No Love, No Nothing." The three girl singers d...
02.26.1944	command performance (108) dorothy lamour, virginia o'brien, dick haymes	+ Program #108. AFRS origination. Dotty and Ken play a hot crap game with very snappy dialogue. Davi...
03.04.1944	command performance (109) kate smith, randolph scott, spade cooley	+ Program #109. AFRS origination. A salute to the new AFRS station on Guadalcanal. Kate starts the s...
03.04.1944	command performance 109 kate smith 1st 'san fernando valley	+ Program #109. AFRS origination. A salute to the new AFRS station on Guadalcanal. Kate starts the s...
03.11.1944	command performance (110) dinah shore, frank sinatra, ginny simms	+ Program #110. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "The Memphis Blues." The program features a mel...
03.18.1944	bea wain johnny mercer cliff nazarro
03.25.1944	command performance (112) don ameche, cass daley, carmen miranda	+ Program #112. AFRS origination. Don Ameche starts the show by singing, "Fine and Dandy." The date ...
04.01.1944	command performance (113) ginny simms, lena horne, spike jones	+ Program #113. AFRS origination. Ginny Simms starts the show by singing, "San Fernando Valley." Ire...
04.01.1944	command performance 113 ginny simms 1st 'san fernando valley' (rough)	+ Program #113. AFRS origination. Ginny Simms starts the show by singing, "San Fernando Valley." Ire...
04.08.1944	command performance (114) frances langford, jerry colonna, jo stafford	+ Program #114. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Command Performance USA brin...
04.15.1944	bing crosby dinah shore yehudi menuhin	+ Program #115. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "Mexicali Rose." The cast does a hillbilly dram...
04.22.1944	command performance (116) gene tierney, roy acuff, martha tilton	+ Program #116. AFRS origination. Martha Tilton sings, "Besame Mucho." Charlie Cantor appears as "Cl...
04.29.1944	command performance (117) olivia de havilland, bob crosby, dennis day	+ Program #117. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The program was released dur...

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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