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!
Click here to read more about Command Performance- Radio Shows
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Please enjoy these 297 old time radio episodes:
| Air Date | Title | Synopsis | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05.06.1944 | command performance (118) bob hope, bing crosby, betty hutton |
+ Program #118. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "Swinging On A Star." The cast does a schoolroo... | |
| 05.13.1944 | command performance (119) jerry colonna, dinah shore, helen forrest |
+ Program #119. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "Besame Mucho." The show ends with a well-done ... | |
| 05.20.1944 | command performance (120) paulette goddard, jimmy durante, louis armstrong |
+ Program #120. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date, the program was released dur... | |
| 05.27.1944 | command performance (121) dinah shore, dick haymes, virginia o'brien |
+ Program #121. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date, the program was released dur... | |
| 06.03.1944 | command performance (122) bob hope, bing crosby, judy garland, frank sinatra |
+ Program #122/190. AFRS origination. Judy sings, "The Dixieland Band." Bing and Frank audition for ... | |
| 06.03.1944 | all female program |
+ Program #123. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Shirley Ross sings a G. I. v... | |
| 06.10.1944 | bette davis jimmy durante artie shaw |
+ Program #124. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Wish I I... | |
| 06.17.1944 | command performance (125) jack benny, harpo marx, bing crosby |
+ Program #125. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Bing sings, "You Must Have B... | |
| 06.24.1944 | all western program |
+ Program #126. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date, the program was released dur... | |
| 07.01.1944 | command performance (127) george murphy, maxine sullivan, nelson eddy | ||
| 07.08.1944 | command performance (128) claudette colbert, jimmy durante, ronald colman |
+ Program #128. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Jimmy Durante sings, "I Ups ... | |
| 07.15.1944 | bing crosby judy garland andrews sisters |
+ Program #129. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby." The show f... | |
| 07.22.1944 | command performance (130) ronald colman, ginny simms, cary grant |
+ Program #130. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date, the program was released dur... | |
| 07.30.1944 | barbara stanwyck dick haymes june allyson |
+ Program #131. AFRS origination. The show is performed before an audience of four hundred WAVES. Th... | |
| 08.05.1944 | command performance (132) ginger rogers, virginia o'brien, jimmy durante |
+ Program #132. AFRS origination. What all the radio programs of the week sound like rolled up into ... | |
| 08.12.1944 | command performance (133) spencer tracy, jo stafford, johnny mercer |
+ Program #133. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "The Trolley Song." The program features ninete... | |
| 08.19.1944 | command performance (134) judy garland, danny kaye, helen forrest |
+ Program #134. AFRS origination. Judy stars the show singing, "I May Be Wrong." The date above is t... | |
| 08.26.1944 | command performance (135) fred allen, jack benny, ginny simms |
+ Program #135/218. AFRS origination. Ginny Simms sings, "Come To Baby, Do." Unable to get a room in... | |
| 09.02.1944 | command performance (136) ladies' night | ||
| 09.09.1944 | command performance (137) groucho marx, gloria dehaven, frank morgan |
+ Program #191. AFRS origination. Georgia Gibbs sings, "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man." Groucho sings, "... | |
| 09.13.1944 | command performance (138) bob hope, johnny mercer, june allyson |
+ Program #138. AFRS origination. Bob's opening monologue is about the Armed Forces Radio Service. J... | |
| 09.23.1944 | command performance (139) martha raye, jack carson, lina romay |
+ Program #139. AFRS origination. "The Ken Carpenter Birthday Party." It's Ken Carpenter's second an... | |
| 09.30.1944 | command performance (140) deanna durbin, jack benny, ginger rogers |
+ Program #140. AFRS origination. Martha Tilton sings, "I'll Walk Alone." An all-star jam session is... | |
| 10.07.1944 | command performance (141) dinah shore, art tatum, chico marx |
+ Program #141. AFRS origination. Dinah Shore sings, "I'll walk Alone." A visit to "Duffy's Tavern."... | |
| 10.14.1944 | command performance (142) highlights of 1944 (assembled show) |
+ Program #142. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. This compiled program was re... |
Chris
Scott
Armand
William
Pat
Jane
Eddie
Andy
COMMAND PERFORMANCE
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