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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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... | |
| 02.13.1943 | bing crosby janet blair |
+ Program #52. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Abraham." | |
| 04.15.1944 | bing crosby dinah shore yehudi menuhin |
+ Program #115. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "Mexicali Rose." The cast does a hillbilly dram... | |
| 06.19.1943 | bing crosby dinah shore vaughn monroe |
+ Program #71. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "I Don't W... | |
| 04.01.1943 | bing crosby dinah shore bob burns |
+ Program #60. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Great Day... | |
| 02.21.1946 | bing crosby bob hope ann sheridan | ||
| 07.11.1943 | bing crosby betty grable harry james |
+ Program #75. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Wait For ... | |
| 08.30.1942 | bing crosby abbott and costello kay kyser |
+ Program #31. AFRS origination. The program was distributed in the Autumn of 1942. The first tune i... | |
| 09.06.1945 | bing bob and frank |
+ Program #122/190. AFRS origination. Judy sings, "The Dixieland Band." Bing and Frank audition for ... | |
| 05.31.1947 | bill goodwin alan young jane russell | ||
| 06.05.1943 | betty hutton and amos and andy |
+ Program #69. AFRS origination. The program was recorded on the above date, released during the sum... | |
| 05.07.1942 | betty grable |
+ Program #12. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "Some Of These Days." Clem McCarthy calls the si... | |
| 02.27.1943 | betty grable margaret whiting mel blanc |
+ Program #55. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Betty Grable starts the show ... | |
| 11.03.1942 | betty grable judy canova bergen and mccarthy |
+ Program #40. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Judy Canova starts the show b... | |
| 02.08.1949 | betty grable danny kaye carmen miranda | ||
| 02.15.1949 | betty garrett jimmy durante | ||
| 10.16.1943 | bette davis john charles thomas georgia gibbs |
+ Program #89. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Stormy We... | |
| 06.10.1944 | bette davis jimmy durante artie shaw |
+ Program #124. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Wish I I... | |
| N/A | benny goodman lina romay hoagy carmichael |
+ AFRS origination. The Hoosier Hotshots start the program with, "Wahoo." A tour of Tin Pan Alley st... | |
| 03.18.1944 | bea wain johnny mercer cliff nazarro | ||
| 07.30.1944 | barbara stanwyck dick haymes june allyson |
+ Program #131. AFRS origination. The show is performed before an audience of four hundred WAVES. Th... | |
| 04.14.1946 | awards ceremony |
+ Program #217. AFRS origination. A visit to the 1945 Academy Awards ceremony at Grauman's Chinese T... | |
| 09.14.1948 | ava gardner steve allen herb jeffries |
+ Program #341. AFRS origination. Herb Jeffries sings, "Estrellita." Steve Allen trades quips with A... | |
| 12.09.1947 | audrey totter frank loesser jack carson | ||
| 01.17.1946 | army nurse corps anniversary show |
+ Program #207. AFRS origination. The program is dedicated to Army nurses. The first tune is, "Come ... |
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COMMAND PERFORMANCE
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