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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08.14.1945 | victory extra |
+ This show was broadcast on 14 Aug 1945. It is a combination of music and words and it is well wort... | |
| 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... | |
| 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... | |
| 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... | |
| 03.09.1942 | fred waring |
+ Program #2. AFRS origination. The program was recorded March 9, 1942, released April, 1942, and or... | |
| 03.08.1942 | eddie cantor |
+ Program #1. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The program was broadcast Marc... | |
| 03.28.1950 | command performance 420 martha tilton 1st 'blow, gabriel, blow' | ||
| 11.01.1949 | command performance 399 ralph edwards 1st ''s wonderful' |
+ Program #399. AFRS origination. The date above is the date of release to the troops. The first tun... | |
| 10.25.1949 | command performance 398 marilyn maxwell guests, nellie lutcher, bobby jordon |
+ Program #398. AFRS origination. The date above is the date of release to the troops. The first tun... | |
| 07.05.1949 | command performance (381) guest gertrude nniesen | ||
| 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... | |
| 05.11.1947 | command performance (273) phil baker |
+ Program #273. AFRS origination. The program was recording during the Spring of 1947, released duri... | |
| 11.01.1949 | command performance (399) ralph edwards, ezra stone |
+ Program #399. AFRS origination. The date above is the date of release to the troops. The first tun... | |
| 10.25.1949 | command performance (398) marilyn maxwell, jack carson |
+ Program #398. AFRS origination. The date above is the date of release to the troops. The first tun... | |
| 10.11.1949 | command performance (396) linda darnell, garry moore, bob carroll | ||
| 06.21.1949 | command performance (376) evelyn knight, dick powell | ||
| 06.14.1949 | command performance (379) margaret whiting, steve allen |
+ Program #379. AFRS origination. Margaret Whiting sings, "I'd Rather Be A Dreamer With A Penny." St... | |
| 03.29.1949 | command performance (368) lina romay, ed gardner, danny thomas | ||
| 02.22.1949 | command performance (362) gertrude niesen, danny kaye | ||
| 01.25.1949 | command performance (365) jimmy durante, evelyn knight | ||
| 11.30.1948 | command performance (353) vincent price, kay starr, joan davis |
+ Program #353. AFRS origination. Kay Starr sings, "A Faded Summer Love." "The Dear John Club Of The... | |
| 10.19.1948 | command performance (347) margaret whiting, jack kirkwood | ||
| 09.21.1948 | command performance (338) shirley ross, june foray | ||
| 09.07.1948 | command performance (340) lina romay, garry moore, steve allen |
+ Program #340. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "Tico Tico." Roger Price describes his inventio... | |
| 05.29.1948 | command performance sixth anniversary special |
+ AFRS origination. The sixth anniversary show. Dinah Shore starts the show by singing, "It's Love, ... |
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COMMAND PERFORMANCE
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