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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03.11.1944 | command performance (110) dinah shore, frank sinatra, ginny simms |
+ Program #110. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "The Memphis Blues." The program features a mel... | |
| 03.04.1944 | command performance 109 kate smith 1st 'san fernando valley |
+ Program #109. AFRS origination. A salute to the new AFRS station on Guadalcanal. Kate starts the s... | |
| 03.04.1944 | command performance (109) kate smith, randolph scott, spade cooley |
+ Program #109. AFRS origination. A salute to the new AFRS station on Guadalcanal. Kate starts the s... | |
| 02.26.1944 | command performance (108) dorothy lamour, virginia o'brien, dick haymes |
+ Program #108. AFRS origination. Dotty and Ken play a hot crap game with very snappy dialogue. Davi... | |
| 02.19.1944 | command performance (107) loretta young, frances langford, connie boswell |
+ Program #107. AFRS origination. The first tune is, "No Love, No Nothing." The three girl singers d... | |
| 02.12.1944 | command performance (106) bob hope, frank sinatra, judy garland | ||
| 02.05.1944 | command performance (105) jerry colonna, fibber mcgee and molly, ethel waters |
+ Program #105. AFRS origination. Jim and Marian Jordan appear as "Fibber McGee and Molly." colonna ... | |
| 02.01.1944 | command performance (104) second anniversary show |
+This episode marks the two year anniversary of Command Performance and begins with the song that op... | |
| 01.31.1944 | command performance (103) robert young, glenn miller, mary martin | ||
| 01.22.1944 | command performance (102) bob hope, joan leslie, dennis day |
+ Program #102/208. AFRS origination. The program was released early, 1944. The first tune is, "Rach... | |
| 01.15.1944 | command performance (101) frances langford, virginia o'brien, revuers |
+ Program #101. AFRS origination. The first selection is, "Shoo Shoo, Baby," sung by Frances Langfor... | |
| 01.08.1944 | command performance (100) shirley ross, carmen miranda, veronica lake |
+ Command Performance USA brings you the greatest entertainers in America as requested by the fighti... | |
| 12.21.1943 | command performance (099) fred waring, kate smith, orson welles |
+ Program #99. AFRS origination. A "Broadway Edition" (the program originates from New York). The fi... | |
| 12.20.1943 | command performance (098) fred allen, ginny simms, benny goodman |
+ Program #98. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The program was distributed i... | |
| 12.04.1943 | command performance (095) dinah shore, abbott & costello, fats waller |
+ Program #95. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date, Fats Waller died on December ... | |
| 11.27.1943 | command performance (094) herbert marshall, edgar bergen, bob wills |
+ Program #94. AFRS origination. The first tune by Bob Wills is, "New San Antonio Rose." Tommy Cook ... | |
| 11.20.1943 | command performance (093) ida lupino, phil harris, hoosier hot shots |
+ Program #93. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Connie Haines starts the show... | |
| 11.13.1943 | command performance (092) bob hope, judy garland, betty hutton |
+ Program #92. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Betty Hutton sings her famou... | |
| 10.30.1943 | command performance (091) judy garland, dinah shore, ginny simms |
+ Program #91. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date, the program was released lat... | |
| 10.23.1943 | command performance (090) bob hope, carole landis, cliff arquette |
+ Program #90. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Make Beli... | |
| 10.09.1943 | command performance (088) robert young, tex ritter, charlie spivak |
+ Program #88. AFRS origination. The first tune by Charlie Spivak and His Orchestra is, "Besame Much... | |
| 10.02.1943 | command performance (087) don ameche, betty hutton, king cole trio |
+ Program #87. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Solid Pot... | |
| 09.25.1943 | command performance (086) bob hope, bing crosby, frances langford |
+ Program #86. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The program was released late... | |
| 09.18.1943 | command performance (085) ronald colman, jascha heifetz, lena horne |
+ Program #85. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. Lena Horne starts the show wi... | |
| 09.11.1943 | command performance (084) ginny simms, andrews sisters, roy acuff |
+ Program #84. AFRS origination. The date above is the recording date. The first tune is, "Somebody ... |
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Armand
William
Pat
Jane
Eddie
Andy
COMMAND PERFORMANCE
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