Asc | Da | 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!

Click here to read more about Command Performance

Radio Shows
Comments
Photos

Please enjoy these 297 old time radio episodes:

Air Date	Title	Synopsis
10.19.1948	command performance (347) margaret whiting, jack kirkwood
11.30.1948	command performance (353) vincent price, kay starr, joan davis	+ Program #353. AFRS origination. Kay Starr sings, "A Faded Summer Love." "The Dear John Club Of The...
12.25.1948	1948 christmas special	AFRS origination. A Christmas program. Jimmy Durante loses his place in the script as he tries to hi...
12.25.1948	1948 christmas special part 1	AFRS origination. A Christmas program. Jimmy Durante loses his place in the script as he tries to hi...
12.25.1948	1948 christmas special part 2	+ AFRS origination. A Christmas program. Jimmy Durante loses his place in the script as he tries to ...
01.25.1949	command performance (365) jimmy durante, evelyn knight
02.08.1949	betty grable danny kaye carmen miranda
02.15.1949	betty garrett jimmy durante
02.22.1949	command performance (362) gertrude niesen, danny kaye
03.29.1949	command performance (368) lina romay, ed gardner, danny thomas
06.14.1949	command performance (379) margaret whiting, steve allen	+ Program #379. AFRS origination. Margaret Whiting sings, "I'd Rather Be A Dreamer With A Penny." St...
06.21.1949	command performance (376) evelyn knight, dick powell
07.05.1949	command performance (381) guest gertrude nniesen
10.11.1949	command performance (396) linda darnell, garry moore, bob carroll
10.18.1949	alexis smith	+ Program #397. AFRS origination. Dean Martin starts the program singing, "Sweet Kentucky Babe." Rob...
10.25.1949	command performance (398) marilyn maxwell, jack carson	+ Program #398. AFRS origination. The date above is the date of release to the troops. The first tun...
10.25.1949	command performance 398 marilyn maxwell guests, nellie lutcher, bobby jordon	+ Program #398. AFRS origination. The date above is the date of release to the troops. The first tun...
11.01.1949	command performance (399) ralph edwards, ezra stone	+ Program #399. AFRS origination. The date above is the date of release to the troops. The first tun...
11.01.1949	command performance 399 ralph edwards 1st ''s wonderful'	+ Program #399. AFRS origination. The date above is the date of release to the troops. The first tun...
03.28.1950	command performance 420 martha tilton 1st 'blow, gabriel, blow'
05.29.1977	35th anniversary special part 1	+ AFRTS origination. "Thirty-Fifth Anniversary Salute". Am assembled program from past Command Perfo...
05.29.1977	35th anniversary special part 2	+ AFRTS origination. "Thirty-Fifth Anniversary Salute". Am assembled program from past Command Perfo...

1 2 3 … 9 10 11 12

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