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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03.29.1945 | command performance (168) bob hope, ingrid bergman, charles boyer |
+ Program #168. AFRS origination. The King Sisters sings, "On The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe." Th... | |
| 04.05.1945 | command performance (169) bing crosby, lionel barrymore, marilyn maxwell |
+ Program #169. AFRS origination. Bing starts the program singing, "This Heart Of Mine." The date ab... | |
| 04.12.1945 | kaye kyser and gary cooper |
+ Kay Kyser is the Master of Ceremonies, and opens the show with a little cheeky flirting with his g... | |
| 04.19.1945 | command performance (170) kay kyser, gary cooper, edward g robinson |
+ Program #170. AFRS origination. Pat Friday starts the program singing, "Iowa." The date is the rec... | |
| 04.19.1945 | command performance (171) martha stewart, peter lorre, sydney greenstreet |
+ Program #171. AFRS origination. "A Visit To The Stars." Martha Stewart starts the program with, "M... | |
| 04.26.1945 | bing crosby jimmy durante ella mae morse |
+ Program #173. AFRS origination. A tribute to Walt Disney. An all animal program! The first tune is... | |
| 05.03.1945 | command performance (173) tribute to walt disney |
+ Program #173. AFRS origination. A tribute to Walt Disney. An all animal program! The first tune is... | |
| 05.10.1945 | command performance (174) jack benny, paulette goddard, hoagy carmichael |
+ Program #174. AFRS origination. Miguelito Valdez sings, "El Cumbanchero." Paulette Goddard and Jac... | |
| 05.24.1945 | command performance (176) suppressed desires |
+ Program #176. AFRS origination. "Suppressed Desire Night"...what the stars really want to do on th... | |
| 05.31.1945 | command performance (177) rita hayworth, charles boyer, nat king cole |
+ Program #177. AFRS origination. The cast does its version of "Gaslight." Who will play the lead, J... | |
| 06.14.1945 | ann rutherford bob hope king sisters |
+ Program #179. AFRS origination. The King Sisters sing, "For You." The stars act out their secret d... | |
| 06.21.1945 | command performance (180) joan edwards, jack carson, arthur treacher |
+ Program #180. AFRS origination. Joan Edwards starts the show with, "I'm Beginning To See The Light... | |
| 06.22.1945 | command performance (181) herbert marshall, jack haley, les paul |
+ Program #181. AFRS origination. Marilyn Maxwell sings, "A Kiss Goodnight." The date above is the r... | |
| 07.05.1945 | command performance (182) juke box night (salute to gi jive's 1000th show) |
+ Program #182. AFRS origination. "Juke Box Night." The first tune is, "Sentimental Journey." | |
| 07.12.1945 | command performance (183) janet blair, victor borge, rise stevens |
+ Program #183. AFRS origination. Janet Blair sings, "It's Only A Paper Moon." The date above is the... | |
| 07.19.1945 | command performance (184) judy canova, hoosier hot shots, danny kaye |
+ Program #184. AFRS origination. The Hoosier Hotshots start the program with, "The Indiana Corncert... | |
| 08.02.1945 | all male program |
+ Program #186. AFRS origination. Announced as an "all-male" program, "Vera Vague" is nevertheless h... | |
| 08.09.1945 | command performance (187) walter o'keefe, rita hayworth, les paul |
+ Program #187. AFRS origination. Marilyn Maxwell sings, "I Got Rhythm." Rita Hayworth and Walter go... | |
| 08.14.1945 | victory extra |
+ This show was broadcast on 14 Aug 1945. It is a combination of music and words and it is well wort... | |
| 08.14.1945 | command performance victory extra (part 1) | ||
| 08.14.1945 | command performance victory extra (part 2) | ||
| 08.30.1945 | command performance (189) frank sinatra, humphrey bogart, victor borge |
+ Program #189. AFRS origination. Frank sings, "What Makes The Sun Set?" (with the wrong words at th... | |
| 09.06.1945 | bing bob and frank |
+ Program #122/190. AFRS origination. Judy sings, "The Dixieland Band." Bing and Frank audition for ... | |
| 09.27.1945 | command performance (193) first song it's only a paper moon (afrs) |
+ Program #193. AFRS origination. Betty Grable sings, "It's Only A Paper Moon." The date above is th... | |
| 10.04.1945 | command performance (194) dinah shore, lum and abner, alan reed |
+ Program #194. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date, the program was distributed ... |
Chris
Scott
Armand
William
Pat
Jane
Eddie
Andy
COMMAND PERFORMANCE
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