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Request Performance

Enjoy the laughs and gags of the "Civilian Version" of Command Performance.

Request Performance

9 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 4 hours, 1394 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
5 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from October 07, 1945:

"Tour of New Orleans with Ronald Coleman"



... or click here to save the Mp3 file to your computer
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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Request Performance Advertisement
Ronald Coleman

Request Performance is a very well done comedy/variety program, with all the entertainment value of Mail Call and Command Performance.

One of the pleasant memories come out of the tribulations of WWII was the terrific programing of the Armed Forces Radio Service, and two of the most memorable programs were Mail Call and Command Performance. Both shows were built around the premise of Servicemen writing in with requests for the performances they would want to hear.

The programs of AFRS were just for the troops, although civilians were sometimes able to get into the studio for the recording session. The shows had such a great reputation that soon after VE day executives, Campbell's Soup, and the Masquers Club, a West Coast actors club, put together a civilian version of the shows, Request Performance.

Many of the radio executives had been involved with the Office of War Information, and so had worked on the shows. Members of the Masquers Club had provided talent on a volunteer basis for Mail Call and Command Performance. (As part of the production deal, the Masquers insisted that the program also be broadcast over short-wave, so that servicemen around the world could pick it up.) Bea BenaderetIt can be assumed that the performers were paid for Request Performance, and they are generally much more professional sounding than the somewhat informal appearances on the AFRS shows. Sponsorship from Campbell's is also apparent; these are much more polished shows than their military inspirations were.

The biggest difference between Command Performance and Request Performance (besides the larger production budget) was fact that the requests could come from any listener. The program itself announced that the most original requests would get the most attention. This led to some very interesting guest combinations, like Allan Jones, Roy Rogers, and Boris Karloff.

Other requested performers included Ronald Colman, Bea Benedaret, Mel Blanc, Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, W.C. Fields, Jack Benny (answering a request from a Mr. Fred Allen of New York City), Lauritz MelchiorOrson Welles, Agnes Moorehead, Lucille Ball, Burns and Allen, and many others.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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    I really like this series. Do you have other "Request Performance" C.D.'s?

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    9 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 4 hours, 1394 min
    9 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 4 hours, 1394 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 9 shows – total playtime 4 hours, 23 minutes
    2. Request Performance 451007 01 Tour New Orleans Ronald Colman.mp3
    3. Request Performance 451014 02 Huckleberry Finn Morgan Vallee.mp3
    4. Request Performance 451021 03 Trip Moon Welles Bracken.mp3
    5. Request Performance 451104 05 Basil Rathbone Dick Powell.mp3
    6. Request Performance 451111 06 Tell-Tale Heart.mp3
    7. Request Performance 451118 07 Lauritz Melchior.mp3
    8. Request Performance 460203 18 Morgan Karloff Rogers.mp3
    9. Request Performance 460224 21 One Money Vallee Daley.mp3
    10. Request Performance 460303 My Mothers Eyes Fairbanks.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    9 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 4 hours, 1394 min
    9 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    120 MB – total playtime 4 hours, 23 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 9 shows – 120 MB – total playtime 4 hours, 23 minutes
    2. Request Performance 451007 01 Tour New Orleans Ronald Colman.mp3
    3. Request Performance 451014 02 Huckleberry Finn Morgan Vallee.mp3
    4. Request Performance 451021 03 Trip Moon Welles Bracken.mp3
    5. Request Performance 451104 05 Basil Rathbone Dick Powell.mp3
    6. Request Performance 451111 06 Tell-Tale Heart.mp3
    7. Request Performance 451118 07 Lauritz Melchior.mp3
    8. Request Performance 460203 18 Morgan Karloff Rogers.mp3
    9. Request Performance 460224 21 One Money Vallee Daley.mp3
    10. Request Performance 460303 My Mothers Eyes Fairbanks.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    9 recordings on 5 Audio CDs. Total playtime 4 hours, 23 min
    9 recordings on 5 Audio CDs
    total playtime 4 hours, 23 min

    Request Performance Disc A001

    1. Request Performance 451007 01 Tour New Orleans Ronald Colman
    2. Request Performance 451014 02 Huckleberry Finn Morgan Vallee

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Request Performance Disc A002

    1. Request Performance 451021 03 Trip Moon Welles Bracken
    2. Request Performance 451104 05 Basil Rathbone Dick Powell

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Request Performance Disc A003

    1. Request Performance 451111 06 Tell-Tale Heart
    2. Request Performance 451118 07 Lauritz Melchior

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Request Performance Disc A004

    1. Request Performance 460203 18 Morgan Karloff Rogers
    2. Request Performance 460224 21 One Money Vallee Daley

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Request Performance Disc A005

    1. Request Performance 460303 My Mothers Eyes Fairbanks

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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