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Though Command Performance has been on the air to the troops for most of the preceding year, this is the first time it has been broadcast over public networks. Elmer Davis, well known news anchor, delivers a word of description of the show to the civilian audience, bonding them to their loved ones serving overseas.
Playlist
- Bob “Command Performance” Hope talks about love, scrap drives, meatless Tuesdays, substitutes for gasoline, and women in the work force. Responding to requests from the mail bag, Bob introduces the acts.
- The Andrews Sisters are backed up by the Alfred Newman Orchestra, and sing, Pennsylvania Polka.
- Red Skelton is Junior, and Harriet Hilliard is his mother. Junior bothers his mom as he waits for Christmas morning. With a drunken ddad, and mom who used to be a prize fighter, Junior gets his way as he slides down the bannister. Time for opening Christmas gifts.
- Spike Jones and the City Slickers perform, Jingle Bells.
- After reading mail bag greetings, Ginny Simms sings, Saving Myself for Bill.
- Bing Crosby jokes with Bob as he delivers Christmas greetings. Bing tells about family celebrations in his home. How will TV affect life after the war? Bing talks about papering the rooms of his house with wartime songs. Wait. Did Bob just ask Bing, “are you ready to cut one?”
- Bing is joined by the Charioteers to sing, Basin Street Blues.
- Ethel Waters sings her hit from 1924Dinah.
- Charles Laughton, Charlie McCarthy, and Edgar Bergen get ready for Christmas. Will Santa Laughton be able to fool Charlie? Has wartime priorities affected Santa’s toy production?
- Kaye Kaiser brings Christmas greetings from the mailbag, then sings, Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.
- Dinah Shore sends greetings to the troops. She sings, As Long As Your not in Love With Anyone Else.
- Moving the broadcast to New York, Jack Benny and Fred Allen patch up their feud. At least for tonight. After a little bickering over billing, the two sing, Friendship.
- Back to Bob Hope, he gives tribute to the troops. Regular guys from hometowns everywhere, doing heroic work, and hoping to return to the country they’re fighting for.
- The National Anthem is played to wrap up the show.
Bonus Track:
- Keith tells about how Command Performance was a show exclusively for the military troops, other than special occasions like Christmas.
- Thanks to listeners from the various social media. Support Keith by checking out his new book.
- Tennessee Ernie Ford Christmas Party Medley, includes: Christmas Bells Are Ringing, Deck the Halls, and Hark the Herald Angels.
Check out my new book! Christmas Timeline.
Here’s 3 easy steps you can do to help me.
1. Read the book: Christmas Timeline
Subtitle: Investigating the events of Christmas
Author: Keith Heltsley
2. Leave an honest review. Say what you liked about it, and why you gave it the rating you did.
3. Share it on all your social media. Tell all your friends about the book.
Here’s my official Amazon description:
Comparing well known bible passages, and developing a chain of events that walk through the activities surrounding the birth of Jesus, this short edition offers a glimpse of the times. But what about the people, customs, or events that don’t seem to fit? Was there really a star? Were the shepherds and wisemen together at the manger? What was it like to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem compared to today? Archeology, astronomy, and some help from the web offers interesting insights as well.
Well? Go check it out. I’ll be looking forward to hearing your response in your review.
#Christmas Timeline. Read it, review it, tell all your friends. Share it on all your social media. Visit the book page now!
