Desc | Da | Command Performance | Variety

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
06.05.1943	betty hutton and amos and andy	+ Program #69. AFRS origination. The program was recorded on the above date, released during the sum...
05.22.1943	command performance (068) dinah shore, the sportsmen, ruth hussey	+ Program #68. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Taking A ...
05.15.1943	command performance (067) joan blondell, dick powell, martha tilton	+ Program #67. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Boy, Did ...
05.08.1943	command performance (066) martha raye, rudy vallee, mel blanc	+ Program #66. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. + Command Performance USA bri...
05.05.1943	command performance (065) ginny simms, gene autry	+ Program #65. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Ain't Mis...
05.01.1943	command performance (064) kate smith, john charles thomas, cass daley	+ Program #64. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Hey, Good...
04.24.1943	ann sheridan gracie allen paul whiteman	+ Program #63. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "As Time G...
04.17.1943	command performance (062) dinah shore, pied pipers, glen gray	+Program #62. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The sound of a cuckoo clock is...
04.03.1943	command performance (061) bob hope, judy garland, johnny mercer	+ Program #61. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The sound of "The 20th Centur...
04.01.1943	bing crosby dinah shore bob burns	+ Program #60. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Great Day...
03.27.1943	command performance (059) kay kyser, lennie hayton, hedda hopper	+ Program #59. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "A Touch O...
03.20.1943	john charles thomas kenny baker	+ Program #58. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Judy starts the show by singi...
03.13.1943	command performance (057) dinah shore, cornelia otis skinner, freddy martin	+ Program #57. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Dinah starts the show by sing...
02.27.1943	betty grable margaret whiting mel blanc	+ Program #55. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Betty Grable starts the show ...
02.24.1943	command performance (054) tribute to the british army	+ Program #54. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. A salute to "Tommy Atkins" an...
02.20.1943	command performance (053) olivia de havilland, frances langford, allan jones	+ Program #53. AFRS origination. The program is announced as the first show of the program's second ...
02.13.1943	command performance (051) rita hayworth, burns and allen, betty hutton	+ Program #51. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Betty Hutton starts the show ...
02.13.1943	bing crosby janet blair	+ Program #52. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Abraham."
02.06.1943	rita hayworth betty hutton burns and allen	+ Command Performance USA brings you the greatest entertainers in America as requested by the fighti...
01.30.1943	command performance (050) dinah shore, chill wills, kathryn grayson	+ Program #50. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "This Is T...
01.23.1943	command performance (049) bob hope, lena horne, ginny simms	+ Program #49. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The program starts with Ginny...
01.16.1943	command performance (048) jeanette macdonald, mills brothers, virginia o'brien	+ Program #48. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Why Don't...
01.10.1943	command performance (047) joan blondell, roy rogers, connie haines	+ Program #47. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "I've Got ...
01.06.1943	command performance (046) robert taylor, lum and abner, king sisters	+ Program #46. AFRS origination. The date above is the recoCommand Performance USA brings you the gr...
01.02.1943	command performance (045) linda darnell, ink spots, cab calloway (assembled show)	+ Program #45. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "The Java Jive." A compilation broadcast release...

1 2 3 … 7 8 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