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Dedicated to the Navy Seabees, this classic wartime episode of the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) program Jubilee opens with host Ernie Whitman introducing the legendary Cab Calloway, who kicks things off with a jazzy, swinging number.
Next up, Nat King Cole and the King Cole Trio take the stage. Nat reads a touching dedication from the mailbag before treating the audience to a smooth performance of “An Errand Boy for Rhythm.” Afterward, Ernie introduces four Seabees who stop by for a chat, sharing a few frontline war stories about their life and service in the construction battalions. Cab Calloway then returns to the microphone to perform “Righteous Rip,” followed by Dorothy Salter delivering a gorgeous rendition of “Star Eyes.”
The entertainment continues as Ernie welcomes comedy legends George Burns and Gracie Allen. Gracie finds herself hopelessly tangled in the colorful, slangy jive talk of the hep cats on the Jubilee program, prompting George to break down the lingo. Does Gracie finally get the hang of it? She certainly gives it her best try!
To close out the show, Cab Calloway returns to read a few more mailbag greetings and swing through “Some of These Days.” Ernie Whitman wraps up the broadcast with some parting words, accompanied by a final bit of input from Calloway.
