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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.21.1944 | command performance (143) eddie cantor, janet blair, danny thomas | ||
| 10.26.1944 | clark gable |
+ Program #144. AFRS origination. "Winged Victory Edition". The date above is the recording date. Th... | |
| 11.01.1944 | command performance (145) ethel merman, joe e lewis, connie boswell |
+ Program #145. AFRS origination. The program originates from New York, the date above is the record... | |
| 11.01.1944 | command performance (148) encore command performance (assembled show) |
+ Program #148. AFRS origination. The recording date is above. The program was distributed in early ... | |
| 11.07.1944 | command performance (149) claudette colbert, bob burns, tommy dorsey |
+ Program #149. AFRS origination. The recording date is above. The program was distributed in early ... | |
| 11.08.1944 | command performance (146) fred waring, kate smith, louis prima |
+ Program #146. AFRS origination. The program originates from New York City. The date above is the r... | |
| 11.18.1944 | command performance (150) linda darnell, woody herman, amos 'n' andy |
+ Program #150. AFRS origination. Martha Tilton sings "The Trolley Song." Freeman Gosden and Charles... | |
| 11.23.1944 | command performance (sp) thanksgiving special | ||
| 11.25.1944 | command performance (151) ginny simms, larry adler, diana lynn |
+ Program #151. AFRS origination. The first tune is Larry Adler playing, "Hand To Mouth Boogie." The... | |
| 12.02.1944 | command performance (152) irene dunne, johnny mercer, jerome kern |
+ Program #152. AFRS origination. The Hoosier Hotshots start the program with, "Wahoo." A tour of Ti... | |
| 12.09.1944 | command performance (153) fibber mcgee and molly, cass daley, illinois jacquet |
+ Command Performance USA brings you the greatest entertainers in America as requested by the fighti... | |
| 12.16.1944 | command performance (154) bob hope, bing crosby, anita o'day |
+ Program #154. AFRS origination. The first tune is by the Andrews Sisters, "Rum and Coca Cola." The... | |
| 12.24.1944 | christmas show 1944 |
+ Command Performance is a spectacular wartime variety and this special Christmas episode stars Bob ... | |
| 12.25.1944 | command performance 1944 christmas special |
+ In this wonderful heartwarming Christmas hour long show, from 70 years ago, along with lots of lau... | |
| 01.11.1945 | command performance (157) linda darnell, janet blair, jimmy durante |
+ Program #157. AFRS origination. Lina Romay sings, "Chiu Chiu." William Gargan, Ed Brophy, Sterlin... | |
| 01.18.1945 | command performance (158) burns and allen, connie haines, c. aubrey smith |
+ Program #158. AFRS origination. Rafael Mendez plays, "The Flight Of The Bumble Bee." Gracie Allen... | |
| 01.25.1945 | command performance (159) frank morgan, frank sinatra, andrews sisters |
+ Program #159. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "One Meat Ball." Frank Sinatra banters with Fra... | |
| 02.01.1945 | command performance (160) gloria de haven, carmen miranda, bing crosby |
+ Program #160. AFRS origination. Gloria De Haven sings, "The Man I Love." Jack Carson plans to show... | |
| 02.08.1945 | command performance (161) jeannie crain, william bendix, gene krupa |
+ Program #161. AFRS origination. Harry James plays, "I'm Beginning To See The Light." The Gene Krup... | |
| 02.15.1945 | command performance (162) dick tracy in b flat |
+ Program #162. AFRS origination. "Dick Tracy In B Flat," or "For Goodness Sakes, Isn't He Ever Goin... | |
| 02.22.1945 | command performance (163) john garfield, dick haymes, ginny simms |
+ Program #163. AFRS origination. Ginny Simms starts the program with, "Saturday Night Is The Loneli... | |
| 03.01.1945 | command performance (164) helen forrest, jack carson, basil rathbone |
+ Program #164. AFRS origination. Helen Forrest sings, "You Go to My Head." The date is the recordin... | |
| 03.08.1945 | command performance (165) frank sinatra, elizabeth taylor, margaret o'brien |
+ Program #165. AFRS origination. Margaret O'Brien is described as seven and half years old. All of ... | |
| 03.15.1945 | command performance (166) jimmy durante, humphrey bogart, lauren bacall |
+ Program #166. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Janet Blair starts the show ... | |
| 03.22.1945 | command performance (167) miss gushmore's finishing school |
+ Program #167. AFRS origination. A visit to "Miss Phoebe Gushmore's Finishing School." The first tu... |
Chris
Scott
Armand
William
Pat
Jane
Eddie
Andy
COMMAND PERFORMANCE
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