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!
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Please enjoy these 297 old time radio episodes:
| Air Date | Title | Synopsis | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05.29.1948 | command performance sixth anniversary special |
+ AFRS origination. The sixth anniversary show. Dinah Shore starts the show by singing, "It's Love, ... | |
| 05.25.1948 | command performance (324) gloria dehaven, andre previn, donald o'connor |
+ Command Performance USA brings you the greatest entertainers in America as requested by the fighti... | |
| 05.18.1948 | command performance (323) jack mccoy, dan dailey, evelyn knight |
+ Program #323. AFRS origination. The program above is the release date, the show was recorded some ... | |
| 03.30.1948 | command performance (316) celeste holm, garry moore |
+ Program #316. AFRS origination. The date above is the release date. The first tune is, "I Wish I W... | |
| 03.23.1948 | command performance (314) martha tilton, edgar bergen | ||
| 01.20.1948 | anita ellis harpo marx sweeney and march |
+ Program #307. AFRS origination. Anita Ellis is billed as "The Sweetheart Of The Armed Forces Radio... | |
| 12.23.1947 | command performance (302) kay kyser, marsha hunt, ilene woods | ||
| 12.16.1947 | command performance (295) peter lind hayes, mary healy, turhan bey |
+ Program #295. AFRS origination. The date above is the release date. The first tune is, "This Is It... | |
| 12.09.1947 | audrey totter frank loesser jack carson | ||
| 10.28.1947 | command performance (301) joan barton, hoagy carmichael, howard duff | ||
| 10.21.1947 | command performance (300) frank sinatra, doris day, jim backus |
+ Program #300. AFRS origination. The date above is the release date. The program was recorded earli... | |
| 09.30.1947 | command performance (289) groucho marx, martha tilton, abe burrows | ||
| 09.09.1947 | command performance (292) rudy vallee, sweeney and march |
+ Program #292. AFRS origination. Rudy sings, "I Love You Just The Way You Are." Dorothy Patrick doe... | |
| 09.02.1947 | command performance (288) penny singleton, virginia o'brien, jack haley | ||
| 08.05.1947 | command performance (284) judy canova, mel blanc |
+ Program #284. AFRS origination. Judy sings, "Why, Oh, Why Did I Ever Leave Wyoming?" The date abov... | |
| 07.15.1947 | command performance (281) eddie cantor, joan davis |
+ Program #281. AFRS origination. Eddie sings, "It's A Good Day." Joan claims she's married to Eddie... | |
| 07.08.1947 | command performance (280) esther williams, andy russell, danny thomas | ||
| 06.18.1947 | command performance (273) take it or leave it special | ||
| 05.31.1947 | bill goodwin alan young jane russell | ||
| 05.29.1947 | command performance fifth anniversary special (assembled show) (part 1) |
+ AFRS origination. Linay Romay sings, "Brazil." An anniversary program celebrating the fifth year o... | |
| 05.29.1947 | command performance fifth anniversary special (assembled show) (part 2) |
+ AFRS origination. Linay Romay sings, "Brazil." An anniversary program celebrating the fifth year o... | |
| 05.29.1947 | command performance special lionel barrymore 1st 'brazil' 5th anniversary (pts 1&3 only |
+ AFRS origination. Linay Romay sings, "Brazil." An anniversary program celebrating the fifth year o... | |
| 05.25.1947 | command performance (275) meredith willson, lina romay, paulina carter |
+ Program #275. AFRS origination. Lina Romay sings, "A Man Is A Brother To A Mule." Meredith Willson... | |
| 05.14.1947 | command performance (271) june havoc, connie haines, edgar bergen | ||
| 05.11.1947 | command performance (273) phil baker |
+ Program #273. AFRS origination. The program was recording during the Spring of 1947, released duri... |
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COMMAND PERFORMANCE
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