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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08.04.1942 | command performance (025) clark gable, bette davis, count basie |
+ Program #25. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date, the program was distributed i... | |
| 08.11.1942 | command performance (026) walter pidgeon, mary martin, marlene dietrich |
+ Program #26. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date, the program was distributed i... | |
| 08.18.1942 | command performance (027) cary grant, virginia o'brien, freddie slack |
+ Program #27. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date, the program was distrubted in... | |
| 08.25.1942 | command performance (028) red skelton, betty hutton, benny goodman |
+ Program #28. AFRS origination. The program was released in the Autumn of 1942. The first tune is, ... | |
| 08.30.1942 | command performance (030) bing crosby, james cagney, larry adler |
+ Program #30. AFRS origination. The date above was the recording date. The program was mastered Sep... | |
| 09.04.1942 | command performance (029) tallulah bankhead, gene krupa, jane froman |
+ Program #29. AFRS origination. The program originates from New York City. The first tune is, "One ... | |
| 09.22.1942 | command performance (032) don ameche, edgar bergen, tommy dorsey |
+ Program #32. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date, the program was distributed i... | |
| 09.29.1942 | command performance (033) bob burns, tommy dorsey, lionel hampton |
+ Program #33. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The program was released duri... | |
| 10.07.1942 | command performance (034) cary grant, spike jones, rise stevens |
+ Program #34. AFRS origination. Spike Jones and The City Slickers play, "Hotcha Cornya." Joan Davis... | |
| 10.09.1942 | command performance (035) bob hope, judy garland, claudette colbert |
+ Program #35. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Judy Garland starts the show ... | |
| 10.21.1942 | command performance (037) frances langford, bob burns, jimmy dorsey |
+ Program #37. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "At Last."... | |
| 10.24.1942 | command performance (038) linda darnell, red skelton, erskine hawkins |
+ Program #38. AFRS origination. Virginia O'Brien sings, "Boy, Did I Get Stinking At The Club Savoy.... | |
| 10.27.1942 | command performance (039) rita hayworth, lena horne. cass daley |
+ Program #39. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The program starts with a med... | |
| 11.10.1942 | command performance (041) jack benny, alice faye, cass daley |
+ Program #41. AFRS origination. The first tune is a clever parody by Cass Daley. The date above is ... | |
| 11.15.1942 | command performance (042) leopold stokowski |
+ Program #42. AFRS origination. The first selection is, "The Hungarian Rhapsody" (Liszt). The date ... | |
| 12.09.1942 | command performance dinah shore, ethel waters, lionel hampton (assembled show 42a) |
+ Program #42A. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "Mad About Him Blues." The date above is the re... | |
| 12.24.1942 | command performance 1942 christmas special |
+ AFRS origination, pool feed to all nets. A Christmas program. The Andrews Sisters sing, "The Penns... | |
| 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... | |
| 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... | |
| 01.10.1943 | 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 ... | |
| 01.16.1943 | 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... | |
| 02.13.1943 | 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 ... | |
| 02.20.1943 | 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 ... |
Chris
Scott
Armand
William
Pat
Jane
Eddie
Andy
COMMAND PERFORMANCE
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