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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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... | |
| 06.21.1945 | 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... | |
| 08.09.1945 | 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 | 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... | |
| 09.27.1945 | 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 ... | |
| 10.11.1945 | command performance (195) truth or consequences special |
+ Program #195. AFRS origination. A "Truth Or Consequences" show. The first consequence: An army ser... | |
| 10.18.1945 | command performance (196) bob hope, maureen o'hara, jerry colonna |
+ Program #196. AFRS origination. Kitty Kallen sings, "More Than You Know." The date above is the re... | |
| 10.25.1945 | command performance (197) eddie cantor, mel torme |
+ Program #197. AFRS origination. Eddie Cantor sings a medley of, "Ida," Margie" and "If You Knew Su... | |
| 11.01.1945 | command performance (198) ginny simms. dennis day |
+ Program #198. AFRS origination. Ginny Simms and The Sportsmen sing, "Gotta Be This Or That." The d... | |
| 12.20.1945 | command performance (203) dennis day, jack benny, june christy | ||
| 12.27.1945 | command performance (204) jane wyman, alan young, jim backus |
+ Jane Wyman is the Mistress of Ceremonies and she opens the show by introducing Olga San Juan who p... | |
| 01.31.1946 | command performance (209) robert young, jack benny, chico marx |
+ Program #209. AFRS origination. Lena Romay starts the program with, "Did You Ever Get That Feeling... | |
| 01.31.1946 | command performance 209 robert young 1st 'did you ever get that feeling in the moonlight |
+ Program #209. AFRS origination. Lena Romay starts the program with, "Did You Ever Get That Feeling... | |
| 02.07.1946 | command performance (210) johnny mercer, larry adler (assembled show) |
+ Program #210. AFRS origination. Beatrice Kay sings, "The Curse Of An Aching Heart." An all-star (a... | |
| 02.14.1946 | command performance (211) carole landis, vivian blaine, bob burns |
+ Program #211. AFRS origination. Vivian Blaine sings, "Here Comes Heaven Again." Bob Burns does a c... |
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Scott
Armand
William
Pat
Jane
Eddie
Andy
COMMAND PERFORMANCE
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