Betty Hutton, one of many guest performers on Command Performance

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.

Bob Hope, Dinah Shore, Fred Allen, Francis Langford, Spike Jones, Frank Sinatra, Burns and Allen, Vincent Price, Ginger Rogers, the Andrew Sisters, Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby and more stage, screen, and radio stars entertain the troops with flair and talent!

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.

Kay Starr, one of many guest performers on Command Performance

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!

See also WWII Collection, Norman Corwin Collection, and Words At War.