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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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... | |
| 01.23.1943 | 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... | |
| 01.30.1943 | 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... | |
| 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... | |
| 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." | |
| 02.20.1943 | 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 ... | |
| 02.24.1943 | 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... | |
| 02.27.1943 | betty grable margaret whiting mel blanc |
+ Program #55. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Betty Grable starts the show ... | |
| 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... | |
| 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... | |
| 03.27.1943 | 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... | |
| 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... | |
| 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... | |
| 04.17.1943 | 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... | |
| 04.24.1943 | ann sheridan gracie allen paul whiteman |
+ Program #63. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "As Time G... | |
| 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... | |
| 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... | |
| 05.08.1943 | command performance (066) martha raye, rudy vallee, mel blanc |
+ Program #66. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. + Command Performance USA bri... | |
| 05.15.1943 | 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 ... | |
| 05.22.1943 | 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 ... | |
| 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... | |
| 06.12.1943 | command performance (070) bob crosby, count basie, jimmy wakely |
+ Program #70. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "What's The Good Word, Mr. Bluebird?" Jimmy Wake... | |
| 06.19.1943 | bing crosby dinah shore vaughn monroe |
+ Program #71. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "I Don't W... | |
| 06.26.1943 | command performance (072) fred macmurray, alice faye, jimmie lunceford |
+ Program #72. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Don't Get... |
Chris
Scott
Armand
William
Pat
Jane
Eddie
Andy
COMMAND PERFORMANCE
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