Command Performance
Encyclopedia
Command Performance is a radio program which originally aired between 1942 and 1949. The program was broadcast on the Armed Forces Radio Network (AFRS) with a direct shortwave transmission to the troops
overseas. It was not broadcast over domestic U.S. radio stations.
Troops sent in requests for a particular performer or program to appear, and they also suggested unusual ideas for music and sketches on the program, such as Ann Miller
tap dancing in military boots. Top performers of the day appeared, including Jack Benny
, Frank Sinatra
, Bob Hope
, Fred Allen
, Ginger Rogers
, Judy Garland
and The Andrew Sisters.
, was broadcast on February 15, 1945. Bing Crosby
had the title role in Dick Tracy in B Flat with Dinah Shore
as Tess Truehart and Jimmy Durante
as the Mole. The supporting cast included Judy Garland, Cass Daley
, Frank Sinatra, Frank Morgan
, Bob Hope, Harry von Zell
, Jerry Colonna, Lou Crosby, the Andrews Sisters and the Joe Lilley Chorus.
The program generally ran for 30 minutes outside of holiday and other specials, continuing well after WWII for a total of more than 400 programs.
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
overseas. It was not broadcast over domestic U.S. radio stations.
Troops sent in requests for a particular performer or program to appear, and they also suggested unusual ideas for music and sketches on the program, such as Ann Miller
Ann Miller
Johnnie Lucille Collier, better known as Ann Miller was an American singer, dancer and actress.-Early life:...
tap dancing in military boots. Top performers of the day appeared, including Jack Benny
Jack Benny
Jack Benny was an American comedian, vaudevillian, and actor for radio, television, and film...
, Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
, Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
, Fred Allen
Fred Allen
Fred Allen was an American comedian whose absurdist, topically pointed radio show made him one of the most popular and forward-looking humorists in the so-called classic era of American radio.His best-remembered gag was his long-running mock feud with friend and fellow comedian Jack Benny, but it...
, Ginger Rogers
Ginger Rogers
Ginger Rogers was an American actress, dancer, and singer who appeared in film, and on stage, radio, and television throughout much of the 20th century....
, Judy Garland
Judy Garland
Judy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...
and The Andrew Sisters.
Dick Tracy in B Flat
One memorable program, a 55-minute musical adaptation of Dick TracyDick Tracy
Dick Tracy is a comic strip featuring Dick Tracy, a hard-hitting, fast-shooting and intelligent police detective. Created by Chester Gould, the strip made its debut on October 4, 1931, in the Detroit Mirror. It was distributed by the Chicago Tribune New York News Syndicate...
, was broadcast on February 15, 1945. Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
had the title role in Dick Tracy in B Flat with Dinah Shore
Dinah Shore
Dinah Shore was an American singer, actress, and television personality...
as Tess Truehart and Jimmy Durante
Jimmy Durante
James Francis "Jimmy" Durante was an American singer, pianist, comedian and actor. His distinctive clipped gravelly speech, comic language butchery, jazz-influenced songs, and large nose helped make him one of America's most familiar and popular personalities of the 1920s through the 1970s...
as the Mole. The supporting cast included Judy Garland, Cass Daley
Cass Daley
Cass Daley was an American radio, television and film actress, singer, and comedienne. The daughter of an Irish streetcar conductor, Daley started to perform at nightclubs and on the radio as a band vocalist in the 1940s....
, Frank Sinatra, Frank Morgan
Frank Morgan
Frank Morgan was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of the title character in the film The Wizard of Oz.-Early life:...
, Bob Hope, Harry von Zell
Harry von Zell
Harry von Zell , born in Indianapolis, made his mark as an announcer of radio programs and an actor in films and television shows....
, Jerry Colonna, Lou Crosby, the Andrews Sisters and the Joe Lilley Chorus.
The program generally ran for 30 minutes outside of holiday and other specials, continuing well after WWII for a total of more than 400 programs.
Similar radio programs
The AFRS produced several similar radio music and variety programs during WWII including the following.- Mail CallMail CallMail Call was a television program appearing on the History Channel and hosted by R. Lee Ermey, a retired United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant, . The show debuted on August 4, 2002 as part of the 'Fighting Fridays' lineup...
- G.I. Journal
- Jubilee
- G.I. Jive.