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Merry Christmas!
Bonus Tracks:
- Keith shares some thoughts on the show, and the real service people who are featured in the show.
- Canadian Women Serving Overseas (CBC) Marietta McPherson. 431220
In this 2 Hour special:
Paul Whiteman and his orchestra lend musical support to a star studded special. Host: Gracie Fields.
Playlist:
- Deck the Halls (Paul Whitemand and chorus).
- Paul and Gracie joke about war bonds, and filling up the 2 hour show.
- Wendel Niles and Don Trendel get acquainted with the audience, and tell about themselves, and their new radio show. Topics include draft boards the great outdoors, and housing shortages. The vaudeville team share a Christmas story, as long as the words pass censorship.
- Gracie sings, I Took My Harp to a Party.
- In New York, families get to talk with their servicemen overseas.
- From Paris, a 25 year old sergeant learns more about his new baby, and family holiday plans.
- From the Pacific, another sergeant is greeted by his baby, as well as mother, father, and wife.
- Holiday for Strings (Paul Whiteman).
- Allen Young jokes with his announcer Kenny Delmar about Christmas in his homeland, Canada. Topics include train rides, being naive, nightclubs, and dating, Which leads into a flashback of his blind date with all manner of romantic awkwardness.
Station break.
- The Toreodore Song (Lawrence Tibbett, with Reisa Stevens).
- Newsman, Walter Wenchel, shares a word on the birth of Christ, contrasting war with the season of peace. A pitch for war bonds is included.
- Turned over to another journalist, Prayers for the hardships of troops overseas. An appeal for more resources for military use. An appeal for far liberal, and conservative voice, as long as both are heard.
- Andrews Sisters joke with Gracie about Christmas shopping, then sing, Jingle Bells.
- Herbert Marshall, from The Man Called X, is teased in X-elent and punny ways. He presents a brief drama about a missing Santa Claus. He is joined by the detective forces of Sherlock Holmes and Watson. References to pop culture, music, and slogans of the times are made, while our heroes use radar, radio, and other high tech measures to track down Santa.
- From New York, more visits to overseas servicemen are made.
- From Paris, A wounded private from Brooklymn speaks to his mother, wife, and the rest of the family.
- A PFC typist gets to speak to her parents, and catch up on family news.
Station break
- Ed Wynn tells about his background as a musician, and his family mishaps playing instruments.
- Keenan Wynn joins his father from a cross country hook up. They dig up old family times, education, and grandkids. Is Keenan as big a star in Hollywood as his old pop? Ed shares the news from the East coast regarding the mayor, and his radio program.
- Gracie pitches war bonds, then introduces Andy Russel. He sings, I Don’t Want to Love You.
- Wemndel Niles talks about modern advances in the home. Joined by Charlotte Greenwood and Charlie Cantor, they put on a sketch to illustrate modern fixtures in the home. Floor plans, the FHA, wall paper, contractors, wiring, and hosts of other points of confusion.
Station break
- Gracie introduces the Fred Waring Chorus. They sing a medley to include, Noel, Men of Old, We Three Kings, and Angels We Have Heard on High.
- William Bendix brings his Life of Riley cast with him to perform a sketch from Christmas morning. Gifts are exchanged and opened. Did the family get what they wanted? Riley shares his version of Dickens, Christmas Carol. Digger O’Dell shows up as Marley’s ghost, but Riley doesn’t need the other ghosts of Christmas to visit him.
- Joe E Brown sends greetings to soldiers everywhere, pledging gratitude to the work they do. His prayer is for them to return in peace.
- From San Fransisco, hook ups to Honolulu bring families together.
- A sergeant talks to his wife, and mother. He shares a funny story from Saipan.
- Humphrey, a Marine, talks with his w ife.
- Gracie has a parting word
