ARMED FORCES RADIO SERVICE

On the 7th December 1941, the radio networks flashed the news to a stunned American nation that they were at war.

The first ‘Command Performance’ was broadcast almost exactly, three months after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, under the aegis of the Office of War Information. Its success paved the way for the creation of the Armed Forces Radio Service in May 1942, under the command of Colonel Tom Lewis. Time magazine described ‘Command Performance’ as being, ‘the best wartime programme in America’. This dallied a little with the truth, as very few listeners in the United States ever heard it and it would appear that the Christmas ‘Command Performance’ of 1942 was the only programme of the series to be broadcast to a general audience. In Britain, we were more fortunate, as the BBC Forces programme had been transmitting the series, on Monday evenings, virtually since its inception.

All talent was donated, including production staff, gratis and the major networks allowed free use of their studios for the shows. On ‘Command Performance’ No. 162, an all star cast including, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Jimmy Durante, The Andrews Sisters and others, spoofed the popular comic strip, ‘Dick Tracy’ in a sixty minute operetta. It was estimated that the total bill for this assembly would have run to well over $100,000 - an enormous sum for the time. Requests from homesick G.I.’s kept the sound effects men on their toes, entrusting the microphone to deliver, - ‘a sigh from Carole Landis’; ‘ foghorns on San Francisco Bay’; ‘Errol Flynn taking a shower’ (I’ll bet he didn’t!); ‘a slot machine delivering the jackpot’ and ‘Bing Crosby mixing a bourbon and soda for Bob Hope’.

At the outset, the AFRS was short waving the shows but obviously, lacking the modern marvels of today’s satellite links, the reception was often distorted or spoiled by fading and static. They had also overlooked that many servicemen had no access to a short wave receiver. These problems were resolved when the Armed Forces Radio Service sought permission from the four major networks to record favourite programmes on 16" transcription discs. As many as seventy of these programmes were recorded and produced each week, especially for the armed forces, together with ‘Command Performance’, ‘Mail Call’, ‘G.I. Journal’ and various other series. At the peak of the war, around 21,000 transcriptions were being shipped to troops in Europe, Asia and the South Pacific and over 800 radio stations, operated by servicemen and for servicemen, were set up to cover all theatres of war, in order to provide music and laughter from home. The United Kingdom boasted 44 of these AM stations and a great deal of ‘dial twiddling’ was employed by the an enthusiastic population in pursuit of their favourite American bands and vocalists.

Positive identification and dating of ‘Command Performances’ can pose difficulties, largely due to inconsistencies on the part of the AFRS. The regular weekly broadcasts were normally allotted thirty minutes of air time and although numbered consecutively, they were not necessarily issued in that order. Whereas, programmes designated as ‘Specials’, were unnumbered (apart from the same general matrix) and again, but not always, may have been of a different duration to those of the regular series.

Some shows are politely, described as ‘assembled’, being composed, either entirely or partially, of so-called ‘wild’ tracks, probably ‘lifted’ from the domestic radio series. Remembering that this was before the advent of magnetic tape, the shows were produced and transcribed with some expertise. To this day, any ‘joins’ are remarkably unobtrusive and untutored listeners would have harboured few doubts that, at the very least, they were hearing a bona fide recording of a live show. It may well be that these huge incursions into the previously ‘no go’ area of transcribed radio programmes may have been fundamental in fostering Bing’s own interest and later involvement with the process.

Precise details of some programmes are still incomplete but it has been established that, including ‘Special Command Performances’, Bing Crosby was featured in, at least, forty of the shows, frequently, as Master of Ceremonies and a glance at the index will reveal that, during the series he sang (including medleys) in excess of a hundred songs, rarely repeating a title.

‘Mail Call’ was heralded as, ‘a letter written by the folks at home to a serviceman abroad’ and the first of these thirty minute programmes was recorded on 11th August 1942, at the CBS Studios in Hollywood. In the beginning, the series included sound track excerpts from current movies and in fact, Bing Crosby’s first appearance on ‘Mail Call’ No. 11, recorded on the 4th November 1942, was with Fred Astaire in a potted version of ‘Holiday Inn’. However, after three months, this format was abandoned in favour of the combination of music, songs and comedy routines that had ensured the success of ‘Command Performance’ and again, servicemen were encouraged to ‘write in with their requests’.

Occasionally, ‘Command Performances’ had been given a particular theme, such as, an ‘All Western Programme’ or an ‘All Female Programme’ or, they were specially dedicated, ‘A Tribute To The British Army’ or ‘A Tribute To Walt Disney’ etc. ‘Mail Call’ became even more embroiled with this procedure, choosing, ‘American states’ for their dedications and it will be appreciated that, once started, this ‘theme’ would have been difficult to conclude before running the whole gamut. Bing took part in a number of these ‘dedications’ and there will be many who cherish the famous outtake from ‘Mail Call’ No. 73 when he encounters a few problems with Meredith Willson’s new song, ‘Iowa’.

‘G.I. Journal’ made its appearance, almost a full year after the advent of ‘Mail Call’ and was described as ‘a newspaper of the air’. The first ‘edition’ was recorded on 29th June 1943. The M.C. was known as ‘the Editor’ and for the first year, this post was filled, variously, by Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Kay Kyser and Jack Carson. Perhaps the cast lists were not quite so star-studded as those of ‘Command Performance’ or ‘Mail Call’ but the ‘journalistic staff’ were portrayed by regular appearances of, ‘Rochester’, Jerry Colonna, Ish Kabibble, Arthur Q. Bryan and Mel Blanc, who found more or less permanent residence as ‘Private Sad Sack’.

There were more than a hundred of these programmes. The presence of Bing has been traced to nineteen of them but again, as with the ‘Command Performance’ and ‘Mail Call’ series, details are sketchy or incomplete for many of the shows, so there may be more. A particular feature of Bing’s appearances was that the ‘closer’ for the programme was a ‘community sing’ of a perennial favourite, incorporating the cast and audience, such as, ‘Down By The Old Mill Stream’, ‘Daisybelle’, ‘In The Good Old Summertime’ etc. There are indications that some of the songs used were taken from Kraft Music Hall broadcasts.

Special thanks are offered to George O’Reilly whose generosity and tenacity of purpose, allowed access to many shows that otherwise, I might never have heard.

“COMMAND PERFORMANCE USA!”

No. 17 11th June 1942

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Paul Douglas. With John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra, The Music Maids & Hal, The Merry Macs, George Givot, Max Baer, Carole Landis, Hugh Herbert, Dinah Shore, Bing Crosby and Don Ameche (m.c.)

Jingle, Jangle, Jingle The Merry Macs

Triumphal March from ‘Peter & The Wolf’ (Prokofiev) The John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*Johnny Doughboy Found A Rose In Ireland with The Music Maids & Hal

Mad About Him, Sad About Him, How Can I Be Glad

About Him Blues Dinah Shore

Bureau Of Public Relations Show 30th August 1942 (75 mins) (S1)

Produced at National Theatre, Washington, DC. Announced by Paul Douglas. With Dr Frank Black and the NBC Orchestra, Kay Kyser and his Orchestra, Frank Ladd, Bert Wheeler, Ginny Simms, Dinah Shore, Hedy Lamarr, Bud Abbott & Lou Costello, Connie Boswell, James Cagney and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

I Can’t Give You Anything But Love                                  Connie Boswell
*Clementine                                                                         with The Music Maids
Embraceable You                                                              Ginny Simms

*Vaudeville Parody                                                              with James Cagney
*Down By The Old Mill Stream                                           with James Cagney
Jingle, Jangle, Jingle                                                             Kay Kyser & his Orchestra with

                                                                                            Harry Babbitt & Julie Conway (Vocal)
How Come You Do Me Like You Do?                              Dinah Shore
Bolero (Ravel)                                                                    Larry Adler (Harmonica)
*Basin Street Blues                                                               with Connie Boswell
*Stardust

Note: The programme was edited to create Command Performances Nos.30 & 31 and a portionof No. 34

No. 30 30th August 1942 K

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Paul Douglas. With Dr Frank Black and the NBC Orchestra, Kay Kyser and his Orchestra, The Music Maids, Bert Wheeler, Hank Ladd, Larry Adler, James Cagney and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

I Can’t Give You Anything But Love Connie Boswell

*Clementine (a) with The Music Maids & Kay Kyser and his Orchestra

*Vaudeville Parody with James Cagney

*Down By The Old Mill Stream with James Cagney

Note:

(a) Spokane 32 - “Der Bingle - Volume 5”

No. 31 30th August 1942 K

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Paul Douglas. With Dr Frank Black and the NBC Orchestra, Kay Kyser and his Orchestra, Connie Boswell, Hedy Lamarr, Ish Kabibble, Bud Abbott & Lou Costello and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

Jingle, Jangle, Jingle Kay Kyser & his Orchestra with

Harry Babbitt & Julie Conway (Vocal)

*Basin Street Blues with Connie Boswell

*Star Dust (a)

Note:

Spokane 32 - “Der Bingle - Volume 5” (Shown as originating from Command Performance No. 30)

NOTE: K The two programmes noted above were assembled from - “The Bureau Of Public Relations Washington Show”

No. 36 13th October 1942

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Don Wilson. With John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra, The Charioteers, The Music Maids & Hal, The Ambassadors, Mary Martin, Dinah Shore and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

*You Are My Sunshine (a) with The Music Maids & Hal

Do It Again! Mary Martin

*Wait Till The Sun Shines Nellie with Mary Martin

Ride, Red, Ride The Charioteers (James Sherman - Piano)

I’ve Got A Gal In Kalamazoo Dinah Shore with The Ambassadors

*My Old Kentucky Home (b) with Dinah Shore

*Medley: (c) with Dinah Shore

One Dozen Roses; Sleepy Lagoon; Put On Your Old

Grey Bonnet; Blues In The Night, Honeysuckle Rose;

Deep Purple; Only Forever; Three Little Words;

Always In My Heart.

*Star Dust

*Where The Blue Of The Night (d)

Notes:

(a) Spokane 32 - “Der Bingle - Volume 5”

(b) This item does not appear on the AFRS listing. .

Dinah Shore only.

(d) A few lines only at the close of the programme.

Christmas Command Performance 1942 24th December 1942 (60 mins) (S2)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With 20th Century Fox Orchestra conducted by Alfred Newman, Kay Kyser and his Orchestra, Spike Jones and his City Slickers, The Charioteers, Harriet Hilliard, Charles Laughton, The Andrews Sisters, Red Skelton, Edgar Bergen, Ginny Sims, Ethel Waters, Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (m.c.)

Pennsylvania Polka The Andrews Sisters

Jingle Bells Spike Jones and his City Slickers

Saving Myself For Bill Ginny Simms

*Basin Street Blues with The Charioteers

Dinah Ethel Waters

Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition Kay Kyser & his Orchestra with The Glee Club

Why Don’t You Fall In Love With Me? Dinah Shore

Friendship Jack Benny & Fred Allen

‘The War Department on Christmas Eve gave domestic listeners their first taste of a series that had been going out to the Armed Forces on short-wave for 43 consecutive weeks. The purpose of the special occasion as Elmer Davis, Office of War Information chief, expressed it in a forward to the show, was to forge a link between the servicemen abroad and the folks on the Home Front. A recorded version of the show was short-waved, all over the world, the next day….Hope emceed, tossed off a monologue and cross-fired with Crosby. A special treat in the vocal department was the version of ‘Basin Street Blues’ that came out of the tonsil partnership of Bing Crosby and The Charioteers’

(“Variety” 30th December 1942)

No. 44 28th December 1942

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Kay Kyser and his Orchestra, The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, ‘Brenda and Cobina’, Victor Borge, Jose Iturbi, Bing Crosby and Kay Kyser (m.c.)

Further details unknown.

No. 52 13th February 1943

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With unknown orchestra, The Music Maids & Phil, The Merry Macs, The Charioteers, Richard Crooks, Pat O’Malley, Martha O’Driscoll, Janet Blair and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

*Abraham (a) with The Music Maids & Phil and The Charioteers

Embraceable You Janet Blair

The Lion And Albert (Edgar) Pat O’Malley (Madge O’Malley - Piano)

Ave Maria (Schubert) Richard Crooks

*De Camptown Races (b) with Richard Crooks

*Beautiful Dreamer (b) with Richard Crooks

Brazil The Merry Macs

*Miss You (a)

Notes:

(a) Spokane 32 - “Der Bingle - Volume 5”

(b) Delos CD DE5501 "Richard Crooks: Opera Arias / Songs (1925-1945)"

Any time the old groaner, Bing Crosby, feels like singing, he can be sure of a ready-made audience. So, for that matter, can Richard Crooks, star of ‘Voice of Firestone’. Put the two together and what do you have? A ‘command performance’. Also some darn good harmony. Also a priceless record. But that’s the last line of this story.

Earlier this year, the two silver throats stood before a group of servicemen on the West Coast as talent on the shortwaved program, Command Performance. Bing did his stuff on a couple of hits and Crooks sang ‘Ave Maria’. When they tried to leave, the boys clamored for more, preferably a duet.

“What’ll we do?” asked Crooks. Bing suggested Stephen Foster’s ‘Camptown Races’. That suited Crooks, so they began, completely unrehearsed, while Meredith Willson’s men filled in. Sometimes Bing carried the melody, sometimes Crooks. Sometimes they both jumped to the harmony, at which points the orchestra heightened the melody.

Nowadays, one of Crooks’ prized possessions, played for friends with a great deal of needle lifting, is the single battered record of this high-class, hilarious jam session.

(Bob Bentley, writing in an unidentified magazine)

No. 54 24th February 1943 - A Tribute To The British Army

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Harry Von Zell. With AAF Orchestra conducted by Major Eddie Dundstedter, (Guest conductor - Meredith Willson), The Music Maids & Phil, Carmen Miranda, Dinah Shore, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (m.c)

Moonlight Becomes You Dinah Shore

*It’s A Long Way To Tipperary (a) (b) with Dinah Shore

Stairway To The Stars The AAF Orchestra

O Tic Tac Do Meo Coracao Carmen Miranda

*You Are My Sunshine (b) with The Music Maids

*It Ain’t Necessarily So (a) (c) with Dinah Shore & Orchestra conducted by Meredith Willson

Notes:

(a) Spokane 31 - “Bing & Dinah”

(b) V-Disc No. 24-B

No. 60 1st April 1943

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra, The Charioteers, The Music Maids & Phil, Bob Burns, Dinah Shore and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

*Great Day (a) with The Music Maids & Phil

Taking A Chance On Love Dinah Shore

Smiles (Roberts) Bob Burns (Bazooka)

Were You There When They Crucified My Lord The Charioteers (James Sherman - Piano)

*Medley: (b)

Margie; Tangerine; Somebody Else Is Taking My Place; with Dinah Shore

I Love You Truly; Conchita Marquita Lopez; I’ll Be With

You In Apple Blossom Time; Basin Street Blues; Dear Mom;

Blues In The Night

*Easter Parade (c) with Dinah Shore

*As Time Goes By (a)

Notes:

(a) Spokane 32 - “Der Bingle - Volume 5”

(b) Spokane 31 - “Bing & Dinah” (Parodied fragments - Titles in italics by Dinah Shore only)

No. 71 19th June 1943 - Dedicated To The British Commonwealth

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra, The Murphy Sisters, ‘Baby Snooks & Daddy’ (Fanny Brice & Hanley Stafford), Mel Blanc, Ziggy Talent, Dinah Shore and Bing Crosby (m.c.’s)

I Don’t Want Anybody At All Dinah Shore

When I Grow Up Vaughn Monroe Orch (Ziggy Talent - Vocal)

*It Can’t Be Wrong (a)

Let’s Get Lost Vaughn Monroe Orch (Vaughn Monroe & The Murphy Sisters Vocal)

*Summertime (b) with Dinah Shore

Notes:

(a) Spokane 32 - “Der Bingle - Volume 5”

(b) Spokane 31 - “Bing & Dinah”

No. 75 11th July 1943

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With AFRS Orchestra, Harry James and his Orchestra, Trudy Erwin, Leo ‘Ukie ‘Sherin, Artur Rubinstein, Betty Grable and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

*Wait For Me, Mary (a) with Trudy Erwin

The Right Kind Of Love Harry James Orch (Helen Forrest - Vocal)

*My Melancholy Baby with Leo ‘Ukie’ Sherin (Ukulele)

Ritual Fire Dance (De Falla) Artur Rubinstein (Piano)

Back Beat Boogie Harry James Orchestra

*I Never Mention Your Name (b)

Notes:

(a) Spokane 23 - “Bing & Trudy - On The Air”

(b) Spokane 32 - “Der Bingle - Volume 5”

No. 81 28th August 1943

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With unidentified Orchestra, Kay Kyser and his Orchestra, Pinto Colvig, Julia Conway, Georgia Carroll, Sully Mason, Judy Garland, Jimmy Durante and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

Embraceable You/The Man I Love Judy Garland

Ma! He’s Making Eyes At Me Kay Kyser Orchestra

*Sunday, Monday Or Always (a)

*Inka Dinka Doo (b) with Jimmy Durante

*Medley: (c)

You Made Me Love You; I Remember You; That Old with Judy Garland

Black Magic; I’m Always Chasing Rainbows; Over The

Rainbow; Moonlight Becomes You; Why Don’t You Do

Right?; This Love Of Mine; You’d Be So Nice To Come

Home To; Three O’Clock In The Morning; Where The Blue

Of The Night; Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life; I Ain’t Got

Nobody; It’s A Great Day For The Irish

*People Will Say We’re In Love (d) with Judy Garland

Notes:

(a) Spokane 32 - “Der Bingle - Volume 5”

(b) Natasha Imports NI-4026 (CD) - “Jimmy Durante - September Song” (Bing’s contribution is minimal)

(d) JSP 965 4-CD set - “Judy Garland – The Lost Recordings 1929-1959”

No. 86 25th September 1943

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With AFRS Orchestra, The Charioteers, Tony Romano, Frances Langford, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (m.c.)

You’ll Never Know Frances Langford

Pistol Packin’ Mama The Charioteers

You’re Priceless Tony Romano (Guitar & Vocal)

*On Moonlight Bay (a) with The Charioteers

*These Foolish Things with Frances Langford

Note:

(a) Spokane 32 - “Der Bingle - Volume 5”

The Bing Crosby Christmas Album Christmas 1943 (15 mins) (S3)

*Jingle Bells (commercial recording used) with The Andrews Sisters

*Adeste Fideles

*Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (commercial recording) with The Andrews Sisters

*Silent Night

*White Christmas

No. 97 18th December 1943 (a)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The 370th Army Air Force Band conducted by M/Sgt. Skinnay Ennis, The Charioteers, Leo ‘Ukie’ Sherin, Dinah Shore and Bing Crosby (m.c.’s)

Over There Ken Carpenter

*Mr. Gallagher And Mr. Shean (parody) with Dinah Shore & Ken Carpenter

*Basin Street Blues (b) with The Charioteers (James Sherman - Piano)

*Mr. Gallagher And Mr. Shean (parody) with Dinah Shore

How Deep Is The Ocean? Dinah Shore

I’m An Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grande) Dinah Shore with Leo ‘Ukie’ Sherin (Ukulele)

*San Antonio Rose with Leo ‘Ukie’ Sherin (Ukulele)

*Empty Saddles with Dinah Shore & Leo ‘Ukie’ Sherin (Ukulele)

Shoo Shoo Baby (b) The Charioteers (James Sherman - Piano)

*Medley: (c)

Little Brown Jug; When You Wore A Tulip; I Want with Dinah Shore

A Girl Just Like The Girl; Put Your Arms Around Me

Honey; Pistol Packin’ Mama; I Can’t Give You Anything

But Love, Baby; Blues In The Night; Jim; Where The Blue Of

The Night; White Christmas; I’ll See You In My Dreams;

Lover, Come Back To Me; Little Brown Jug

*Oh! What A Beautiful Morning with Dinah Shore

Notes:

(a) The complete programme was issued on Spokane 31 - “Bing & Dinah”

(b) JASCD 714 "Swing Low, Sweet Charioteers"

No. 104 1st February 1944

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With John Scott Trotter Orchestra, Ticker Freeman, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore (m.c.)

Blues In The Night Dinah Shore

Speak Low Frank Sinatra

*Candlelight & Wine with John Scott Trotter (Piano)

*Medley: (a)

Little Sir Echo; This Is The Guy; Was That The Human with Frank Sinatra & J.S. Trotter (piano)

Thing To Do?; The Last Round-Up; If I Had My Way;

Pony Boy; Falling In Love Again; I Wonder What’s Become

Of Sally; It Makes No Difference Now; I Heard You Cried

Last Night; The Daring Young Man On The Flying Trapeze;

Learn To Croon; Dinah; Stardust; Sunday, Monday Or

Always; Deep Purple

*People Will Say We’re In Love with Frank Sinatra

Note:

(a) Parodied fragments only. Titles in italics are by Frank Sinatra only.

No. 115 15th April 1944

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With unidentified Orchestra, Myrtle Cooper & Scott Wiseman (‘Lulubelle & Scotty’), Shirley Mitchell, Yehudi Menuhin, Dinah Shore and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

*Mexicali Rose

Sunday Monday Or Always Shirley Mitchell

Unknown composition Yehudi Menuhin (Violin)

Does Your Spearmint Lose Its Flavour

On The Bedpost Overnight? ‘Lulu Belle & Scotty’

It’s Love, Love, Love Dinah Shore

*Medley: (a)

She’ll Be Comin’ Round The Mountain; I’m Forever with Dinah Shore

Blowing Bubbles; Put Your Arms Around Me Honey;

I Like Mountain Music; Alone; Why Don’t You Fall

In Love With Me?; As Time Goes By; Take It Easy;

I’ll Be Home For Christmas; In The Evening By The

Moonlight; Your Feets’ Too Big; These Foolish

Things; Let The Rest Of The World Go By

*Dancing In The Dark with Dinah Shore

Note:

(a) Parodied fragments. Titles in italics are by Dinah Shore only.

No. 118 6th May 1944

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With AFRS Orchestra conducted by Major Meredith Willson, The Music Maids, Gypsy Rose Lee, Betty Hutton, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (m.c.)

*Swinging On A Star (a) with The Music Maids

Pig Foot Pete Betty Hutton

*Long Ago And Far Away (a)

*‘Schoolroom’ Sketch (b)

*A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody

Notes:

(a) Spokane 32 - “Der Bingle - Volume 5”

(b) The sketch involves the cast singing parodied fragments of songs (sometimes only one line). Ken Carpenter plays the schoolteacher and piano accompaniment is provided by Ticker Freeman. Titles used include, ‘I’ll Get By’, ‘The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise’ & ‘Say A Prayer For The Boys Over There’ - Bing Crosby; ‘Did I Get Stinkin’ At The Club Savoy’ & ‘They’re Either Too Young Or Too Old’ - Betty Hutton; ‘When The Lights Go On Again All Over The World’ - Bob Hope; ‘I Want My Mama’ - Gypsy Rose Lee

No. 122 3rd June 1944 (a)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With AFRS Orchestra conducted by Major Meredith Willson, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (m.c.)

The Dixieland Band Judy Garland

*I Love You (Porter)

All The Things You Are Frank Sinatra

*You Are My Sunshine (b) with Frank Sinatra

*You’re The Top (b) with Frank Sinatra & Bob Hope

*Sonny Boy (b) with Frank Sinatra & Bob Hope

*You’re The Top (reprise) (b) with Frank Sinatra & Bob Hope

*Something To Remember You By (c) with Judy Garland

Notes:

(a) The complete programme was issued on Tandem Records LP-1903 “Mail Call” and on Laserlight 15413 (CD) - “Mail Call” and as part of Radiospirits 40062 (6-CD set) “On The Road Again”.

(b) Parodied versions.

Hallmark 303372 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & Friends - The Radio Years”

No. 123 3rd June 1944 (a)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With AFRS Orchestra conducted by Major Meredith Willson, Shirley Ross, Lena Horne, Lotte Lehman, Frances Langford, Jerry Colonna, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Connie Haines (m.c.)

Gee, I Love My GI Guy Connie Haines

Good For Nothing Joe Lena Horne

Thanks For The Memory Shirley Ross

Brahm’s Lullaby Lotte Lehman

I’ll Be Seeing You Frances Langford

*If I Had My Way (Parody) with Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope & Jerry Colonna

Note:

(a) The complete programme was issued on HLC Records 6647 (CD) – “Crosby In Command”

No. 125 17th June 1944

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With AFRS Orchestra conducted by Major Meredith Willson, Harpo Marx, Gary Cooper, Georgia Gibbs, Ann Miller, Bing Crosby and Jack Benny (m.c.)

*You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby (a)

Stormy Weather Georgia Gibbs

*My Blue Heaven with Harpo Marx (Harp)

*One Alone

Note:

(a) Spokane 32 - “Der Bingle - Volume 5”

No. 129 15th July 1944

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With AFRS Orchestra conducted by Major Meredith Willson, The Andrews Sisters, Judy Garland and Bing Crosby (m.c.’s)

*Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby? with The Andrews Sisters

Long Ago And Far Away Judy Garland

Medley - ‘Your All Time Flop Parade’: (a)

*Yachting

Hammacher Schlemmer Judy Garland

K-K-K-Katie (parody) The Andrews Sisters

Yes, We Have No Bananas Unidentified vocalist

*Thanks For The Memory (b)

*I’ll Remember April

*Medley: (c) with Judy Garland & Sgt. Gene Plummer (Piano)

Hand Me Down My Walking Cane (parody);

De Camptown Races (parody); Beyond The Blue Horizon;

The Music Stopped; My Old Kentucky Home;

Alabamy Bound; Goodnight, Wherever You Are

Notes:

(a) The complete medley was issued on Curtain Calls No. 100/2 - “Both Sides Of Bing Crosby”

(b) Unaccompanied fragment

No. 142 14th October 1944 - Highlights Of 1944 (a)

Produced In Hollywood. Announced by and m.c. Ken Carpenter. With various Orchestras, Lena Horne, Dinah Shore, Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson, Groucho Marx, Bob Hope, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Ziggy Elman, Les Paul, Judy Garland, The Andrews Sisters and Bing Crosby.

Life’s Full Of Consequence Lena Horne & Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson

Long Ago And Far Away Dinah Shore

Lydia, The Tattooed Lady Groucho Marx

Honeysuckle Rose (b) Ensemble

*Going My Way

Dena Danny Kaye

*Medley:

Your All Time Flop Parade (c) with Judy Garland & The Andrews Sisters

Notes:

(a) This was an ‘assembled’ programme

(b) The ensemble consisted of Tommy Dorsey (Trombone); Artie Shaw (Clarinet); Ziggy Elman

(Trumpet); Illinois Jacquet (Tenor Sax); Lionel Hampton (Vibraphone); Ed McKinney (Bass);

Les Paul (Guitar) and Buddy Rich (Drums)

Special Christmas Programme 12th December 1944 (a) (S4)

Produced in Hollywood. With Deanna Durbin, Margo and Bing Crosby.

*White Christmas

Further details unknown

Note:

(a) There is some indication that the entire programme may have been performed in Spanish

Swinging Round The Clock October 1944 (a) (60 mins) (S5)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Don Wilson. With the Orchestras of Count Basie, Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Kay Kyser, Gene Krupa, Vaughn Monroe and Tommy Dorsey, Spike Jones and his City Slickers, Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five, Ella Mae Morse, Ginny Simms, Lena Horne and Bing Crosby.

Grand Central Getaway Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra

Patty Cake Man Ella Mae Morse

Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby Louis Jordan (Vocal) & his Tympany Five)

I’ll Get By Harry James Orchestra (Buddy Moreno - Vocal)

Milkman Keep Those Bottles Quiet Kay Kyser Orchestra (Sully Mason - Vocal)

‘Deed I Do Lena Horne

Air Mail Special Benny Goodman Orchestra

*Swinging On A Star (b) with The Charioteers & The Music Maids

Dance With A Dolly Ginny Simms with The Bombardiers

Amen Woody Herman (Vocal) with his Orchestra

Amor Tommy Dorsey Orchestra & The Sentimentalists

Drumboogie Gene Krupa Orchestra

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive Johnny Mercer with The Pied Pipers

Lili Marlene Vaughn Monroe (Vocal) with his Orchestra

Holiday For Strings Spike Jones & his City Slickers

Jumping At The Woodside Count Basie Orchestra

Notes:

(a) An ‘assembled’ programme designed for transmission on New Year’s Eve

(b) Probably from Command Performance No. 44

No. 154 16th December 1944 (a)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With unidentified Orchestra, The Stan Kenton Orchestra, The Andrews Sisters, Lauren Bacall, Stan Kenton, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (m.c.)

Rum And Coca Cola The Andrews Sisters

And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine Stan Kenton Orchestra (Anita O’Day - Vocal)

*More And More

*Don’t Fence Me In with The Andrews Sisters

Note:

(a) The complete programme was issued on Tulip TLP-108 - “Bing Crosby Command Performance/Music Hall”

No. 155 16th December 1944

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With unidentified Orchestra, The Andrews Sisters, Ann Sheridan, Benny Goodman Quartet, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (m.c.)

*Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive with The Andrews Sisters

*More And More

Rachel’s Dream Benny Goodman Quartet

*Brahm’s Lullaby (a)

*Put It There Pal with Bob Hope

Note:

(a) A capella included in comedy routine

No. 160 1st February 1945

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With unidentified Orchestra, Edward Arnold, Carmen Miranda, Jack Carson, Bing Crosby and Gloria de Haven (m.c.)

The Man I Love Gloria de Haven

Tico Tico Carmen Miranda

The Music Stopped (Parody) Jack Carson

*Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral

No. 162 15th February 1945 - Dick Tracy In B Flat (a) (60 mins)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Harry Von Zell. With AFRS Orchestra conducted by Major Meredith Willson, Bing Crosby, Dinah Shore, Jerry Colonna, Bob Hope, Frank Morgan, Judy Garland, The Andrews Sisters, Jimmy Durante, Frank Sinatra and Cass Daley.

*Happy, Happy, Happy Wedding Day (Overture) with Cast

*Whose Dream Are You?

*Barnacle Bill The Sailor (Parody) with Dinah Shore

Tess’s Torch Song (Parody) Dinah Shore

You’re The Top (Parody) Bob Hope

A Wandering Minstrel I (Parody) Frank Morgan

The Music Goes ‘Round And ‘Round (Parody) Jimmy Durante

Over The Rainbow (Parody) Judy Garland

I’m Strong For You Judy Garland & Bob Hope

*Whose Dream Are You? Reprise)

I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time The Andrews Sisters

*All The Things You Are (Parody) with Frank Sinatra

*Sunday, Monday Or Always (Parody) with Frank Sinatra & Bob Hope

The Trolley Song Cass Daley

*Happy, Happy, Happy Wedding Day (Finale) with Cast

I’m Strong For You (b) Bob Hope

I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time (Parody) (b) The Andrews Sisters

The Music Goes ‘Round And ‘Round (Parody) (b) Jimmy Durante

The Trolley Song (Parody) (b) Cass Daley

All The Things You Are (Parody) (b) Frank Sinatra

Meet Me In St. Louis (Parody) (b) Judy Garland & Frank Morgan with Chorus

*Whose Dream Are You? (b) with Dinah Shore & Chorus

Notes:

(a) The complete programme was issued on the following: For Collectors Only 100B - “Bing Crosby - For Collectors Only”; Scarce Rarities Productions SR5504 - “Dick Tracy In B Flat”; Pro-Arte

CD505 (CD) - “The Original Dick Tracy”; EMI Comedy 7243 53950927 (CD) “Dick Tracy In B Flat”; and as part of Radiospirits 40062 (6-CD set) “On The Road Again”.

(a) These items represent ‘curtain calls’ from the main members of the cast as they are introduced, individually, at the close of the programme by Harry Von Zell.

No. 169 5th April 1945 (a)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With unidentified Orchestra, Marilyn Maxwell, The Charioteers, Lionel Barrymore, Dame May Whitty, Johnny Mercer and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

*This Heart Of Mine

Saturday Night (Is The Loneliest Night Of The Week) Marilyn Maxwell

*Mr. Crosby And Mr. Mercer with Johnny Mercer

*Dear Old Girl with The Charioteers

*The Fifth Marines

Note:

(a) The complete programme was issued on HLC Records 6647 (CD) – “Crosby In Command”

No. 172 26th April 1945

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With unidentified Orchestra, Lauritz Melchior, Jimmy Durante and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

*My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time

*A Little On The Lonely Side

Mattinata (Leoncavello) Lauritz Melchior

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive Lauritz Melchior

Down By The O-Hi-O (Parody) Jimmy Durante & Lauritz Melchior

*After Awhile

VE Day Show May 1945 (30 mins) (S6) (a)

Produced in Hollywood. With AFRS Orchestra, “GI Jill” (Martha Wilkerson) , The Ken Darby Singers, Dinah Shore, Frances Langford, Ginny Simms, Johnny Mercer, Judy Garland, Loretta Young, Charles Boyer, Lin Yu Tang, Herbert Marshall, Michael Chekhov, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby (m.c.’s)

America The Beautiful The Ken Darby Singers

*Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition with The Ken Darby Singers

This Is The Army Mister Jones Frances Langford

I’ve Been Working On The Railroad Dinah Shore with The Ken Darby Singers

Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree Ginny Simms

Gee Mom I Want To Go Home Dinah Shore with The Ken Darby Singers

The G.I. Jive Johnny Mercer

The Battle Hymn Of The Republic (Parody) Frances Langford, Dinah Shore & Ginny Simms with The Ken Darby Singers

Medley: We’re Off To See The Wizard (Parody);

I’ve Got Sixpence; Bless ‘Em All Judy Garland with The Ken Darby Singers

The Beer Barrel Polka Bob Hope with The Ken Darby Singers and cast

*Comin’ In On A Wing And A Prayer with The Ken Darby Singers

Old Hundredth Doxology The Ken Darby Singers

*The Battle Hymn Of The Republic with The Ken Darby Singers

Note: This programme of thanksgiving is not included in the AFRS listing of Command Performances, nor is an exact date of transcription or broadcast known. Regardless of possibly more specific classification, the compiler believes that it is of sufficient importance in the official wartime broadcasts of Bing Crosby to merit entry herein. Of course, this excuse would be superfluous if any significance can be attached to the fact that the Command Performance of the 15th August was entitled “Victory Extra”

No. 182 5th July 1945 (Celebrating G.I. Jive’s 1000thProgramme)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With unidentified Orchestra, Ella Mae Morse, “GI Jill” (Martha Wilkerson), Spike Jones and his City Slickers, Tommy Dorsey and Bing Crosby (m.c)

*Sentimental Journey

Star Dust Tommy Dorsey (Trombone)

Cow Cow Boogie Ella Mae Morse

Chloe Spike Jones & his City Slickers with Red Ingle

Medley:

*Don’t Fence Me In

*Paper Doll

*I’ll Walk Alone

I’m Getting Sentimental Over You Spike Jones & his City Slickers

with Tommy Dorsey (Trombone)

*I’ll Be Seeing You

Command Performance - Victory Extra 15th August 1945 (a) (120 mins) (S7)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With AFRS Orchestra, with Martha Wilkerson (‘GI Jill’), Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Lionel Barrymore, Janet Blair, Claudette Colbert, John Conte, Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, Jimmy Durante, Jinx Falkenburg, Greer Garson, Ed Gardner, Cary Grant, Rita Hayworth, Lena Horne, Ruth Hussey, Jose Iturbi, Danny Kaye, The King Sisters, Diana Lewis, Ida Lupino, Herbert Marshall, Bill Mauldin, Marilyn Maxwell, Johnny Mercer, Burgess Meredith, Carmen Miranda, George Montgomery, Robert Montgomery, William Powell, Edward G. Robinson, Lina Romay, Ginger Rogers, Dinah Shore, Ginny Simms, Frank Sinatra, Risë Stevens, Claire Trevor, Orson Welles, Ernest Whitman, Don Wilson, Loretta Young, Harry Von Zell and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

Ave Maria (Schubert) Risë Stevens

I’ll Walk Alone Dinah Shore

Polonaise in A Flat Op.33, No. 6 (Chopin) Jose Iturbi (Piano)

You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To Ginny Simms

*Medley:

You Are My Sunshine (Parody) with Frank Sinatra

Sonny Boy (Parody)

You’re The Top (Parody)

The House I Live In Frank Sinatra

What Is This Thing Called Love? Janet Blair

*San Fernando Valley

Shoo Shoo Baby The King Sisters

The Man I Love Lena Horne

The G.I. Jive Johnny Mercer

The Lobby Song Danny Kaye

I’ve Got Rhythm Marilyn Maxwell

Tico Tico Carmen Miranda

*White Christmas

Note:

(a) An edited version of the programme was issued on Radiola MR-1100 - “Command Performance - Victory Extra” - and Radiola CDMR1100 (CD) - “Command Performance - Victory Extra”. (Neither of these issues includes the rendition of ‘White Christmas’)

Special VJ Day Show 2nd September 1945 (S8)

Produced in Hollywood. With AFRS Orchestra, President Harry S. Truman, Frances Langford, Dinah Shore, Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.

America, The Beautiful Dinah Shore

The House I Live In Frank Sinatra

I’ve Been Working On The Railroad Dinah Shore

Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree Frances Langford

Gee Mom I Want To Go Home Orchestra & Chorus

We Gather Together (To Ask The Lord’s Blessing) Frances Langford

*White Christmas

Further details unknown

No. 190 6th September 1945

This was a re-broadcast of Command Performance No. 122

Christmas 1945 Command Performance 25th December 1945 (a) (Broadcast date) (120 mins) (S9)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With AFRS Orchestra, Harry James and his Orchestra, The Bob Mitchell Boys’ Choir, The Pied Pipers, President Harry S. Truman, Mel Blanc, Jerry Colonna, Cass Daley, Jimmy Durante, Ed Gardner, Judy Garland, Eddie Jackson, Kay Kyser, Frances Langford, Johnny Mercer, Herbert Marshall, Dinah, Shore, Ginny Simms, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (m.c.)

*On The Atchison, Topeka and The Santa Fe

Along The Navajo Trail Dinah Shore

Two O’Clock Jump Harry James Orchestra

So I Ups To Him Jimmy Durante & Eddie Jackson

Till The End Of Time Ginny Simms

De Camptown Races Johnny Mercer

Long Ago And Far Away Judy Garland

Embraceable You The Pied Pipers

Baia Frances Langford

You Can’t Blame A Girl For Trying (b) Cass Daley

If I Loved You Frank Sinatra

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town The Bob Mitchell Boys’ Choir

Joy To The World Male choir

O Come All Ye Faithful Frances Langford with male choir

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Ginny Simms with male choir

O Little Town Of Bethlehem Dinah Shore with male choir

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Judy Garland with male choir

*Silent Night

Notes:

(a) The complete programme was issued on Jasmine JASCD607 (CD) – “A Night With Stars hosted by Bob Hope”

(b) Includes parodied arrangements of “It Could Happen To You”; “Swinging On A Star”; “My Ideal”; “Going My Way”; “Together”; “Murder, He Says”; “That Old Black Magic”; “Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition”; “I Couldn’t Sleep A Wink Last Night”; “I’ll Never Smile Again”.

No. 212 21st February 1946

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. A compilation broadcast, Bing's contributions were "Dear Old Girl" and exchange with Dame May Whitty originating from CP 169 plus his skit with Anne Sheridan and Bob Hope assumed sourced from CP 155 in which Bing plays Bob's child visiting Anne's movie set.

Army Day Command Performance 6th April 1946 (45 mins) (S10)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Harry Von Zell. With AFRS Orchestra & Chorus directed by Meredith Willson, Spike Jones and his City Slickers, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, The Andrews Sisters, Dinah Shore, Bette Davis, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (m.c.)

Shoo Fly Pie And Apple Pan Dowdy Dinah Shore

*Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief

Oh! What It Seemed To Be Frank Sinatra

*You’re The Top (Parody) with Bob Hope & Frank Sinatra

You Always Hurt The One You Love Spike Jones and his City Slickers (Carl Grayson & Red Ingle - Vocal)

Chickery Chick The Andrews Sisters

Aura Lee AFRS Orchestra & Chorus

What Do You Do In The Infantry? Frank Sinatra

This Is The Army Mister Jones Dinah Shore

*U.S. Field Artillery March

No. 217 14th April 1946 Academy Awards

Produced in Hollywood. With Johnny Gray Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, George Murphy, Ray Milland, Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer.

Bing was heard in extracts from “The Bells Of St. Mary’s”

5th Anniversary Command Performance 29th May 1947 (Broadcast date) (60 mins) (S11)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With AFRS Orchestra, Fred Allen, Secy. of War Robert P. Anders, Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson, Jack Benny, Lt. Gen. J. Lawton Collins, Jimmy Durante, Nelson Eddy, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Greer Garson, Peter Lind Hayes, Danny Kaye, Ernst Lubitsch, Paul Lukas, Lauritz Melchior, George Murphy, Lina Romay, Dinah Shore, Ginny Simms, Frank Sinatra, Orson Welles, Don Wilson, Bing Crosby and Lionel Barrymore (m.c.)

Brazil Lina Romay

The House I Live In Frank Sinatra

The Peanut Vendor (Parody) Nelson Eddy & George Murphy

The Anniversary Song Dinah Shore

Song Of The Volga Boatmen Clark Gable

Durante - The Patron Of The Arts Jimmy Durante

Comic Operetta (a) Danny Kaye, Judy Garland & Lauritz Melchior

*Dear Old Girl (b) with The Charioteers

Notes:

(a) This sketch with a ‘railroad’ background is comprised mainly of parodied versions of familiar

operatic themes.

(b) Dubbed from Command Performance No. 169

6th Anniversary Command Performance 29th May 1948 (Broadcast date) (a) (60 mins) (S12)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With unidentified Orchestra, Jack Benny, Claudette Colbert, Jerry Colonna, Ronald Colman, Dennis Day, Jimmy Durante, Rita Hayworth, Betty Hutton, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (m.c.)

It’s Love, Love Love Dinah Shore

*Medley

She’ll Be Comin’ Round The Mountain; I’m Forever (a) with Dinah Shore

Blowing Bubbles; Put Your Arms Around Me Honey;

I Like Mountain Music; Alone; Why Don’t You Fall

In Love With Me?; As Time Goes By; Take It Easy;

I’ll Be Home For Christmas; In The Evening By The

Moonlight; Your Feets’ Too Big; These Foolish

Things; Let The Rest Of The World Go By

*Dancing In The Dark (b) with Dinah Shore

Nancy (With The Laughing Face) Frank Sinatra

His Rocking Horse Ran Away Betty Hutton

I’m Gonna Hang My Hat Jimmy Durante, Betty Hutton, Ronald Colman & Claudette Colbert

For The First Time (I Saw You) Dennis Day

*If I Had My Way (c) with Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra & Jerry Colonna

Notes:

(a) Fragments only. Titles in italics are by Dinah Shore only.

(b) Dubbed from Command Performance No. 115

Christmas Command Performance 25th December 1948 (120 mins) (S13)

Produced in Hollywood. Announced by Hy Averback. With various orchestras, The Richard Davis Choir, Andy Russell & Gloria De Haven (m.c’s), Jack Benny, Edgar Bergen & ‘Charlie McCarthy’, Mel Blanc, The Bob Mitchell Boys’ Choir, Ken Carpenter, Shirley Dinsdale & ‘Judy Splinters’, Jimmy Durante, Walter Gross, Bob Hope, Herbert Marshall, Robert Maxwell, Lauritz Melchior, Marvin Miller, Dinah Shore, Robert Young and Bing Crosby.

Somebody Loves Me Gloria de Haven

*On The Atchison, Topeka and The Santa Fe (a)

Along The Navajo Trail (a) Dinah Shore

Durante -The Patron Of The Arts (a) Jimmy Durante

Just For Now Andy Russell

Intermezzo (Souvenir de Vienne)/Tea For Two Walter Gross (Piano)

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (a) The Bob Mitchell Boys’ Choir

Without You Andy Russell

Gershwin Medley:

It Ain’t Necessarily So, Oh, Lady Be Good, Robert Maxwell (Harp)

The Man I Love, I Got Rhythm

O Holy Night Lauritz Melchior

Silent Night Lauritz Melchior

‘The Other Wise Man’ (Narration) Robert Young & Marvin Miller

Note:

(a) A largely, ‘assembled’ programme. These items are from the Christmas Command Performance of 1945.

Christmas Command Performance 1949 (120 mins) (S14) (a)

Announced by Ken Carpenter, Edmund Gwenn (m.c.), The Andrews Sisters, Gene Autry, Harry Babbitt, Mel Blanc, Francis X. Bushman, Jerry Colonna, William Conrad, Donald Crisp, Cass Daley, The Hoosier Hotshots, Bob Hope, Harry James, Lauritz Melchior, Lum ‘N’ Abner, The Pied Pipers, Lisa Roy & Jacques Normand, Jeffrey Silver and Bing Crosby.

Back In The Saddle Again Gene Autry

*Here Comes Santa Claus

(Right Down Santa Claus Lane) with Gene Autry & The Andrews Sisters

La Vie En Rose (You’re Too Dangerous, Cherie) Lisa Roy

Il Faut De Tout Le Monde Jacques Normand

*Jingle Bells with The Andrews Sisters

Put On Your Old Red Flannels The Hoosier Hotshots

Etiquette Blues The Hoosier Hotshots

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth Harry Babbitt

Somehow The Pied Pipers

Tuxedo Junction Harry James (Trumpet) & Ensemble

O Holy Night Lauritz Melchior

Cottontail Harry James (Trumpet) & Ensemble

Together Cass Daley

I Remember Momma Harry Babbitt

‘S Wonderful The Pied Pipers

‘This One Brief Moment’ (Playlet) Donald Crisp, Francis X. Bushman, William Conrad, Jeffrey Silver & Jane Webb

Medley: Choir

Hark, The Herald Angels Sing

O Little Town Of Bethlehem

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Joy To The World

Jingle Bells Cast and Audience

Note:

It has not been possible to establish a precise date for this programme but it would seem highly likely that the broadcast date would have been 25th December. In his excellent book ‘Command Performance USA!’, Harry Mackenzie shows a content for this show that does not match any of the details shown above and offers the following author’s note: ‘Details of this programme were taken from AFRS Weekly Radio Round-Up of Christmas issues for 1949. Two of the tunes featured were written in 1946 and research into other issues on this sheet, strongly suggest that, in all probability, this is a repeat of Christmas Command Performance 1946’Employing a similar yardstick to the details shown above, ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’, written and performed by Gene Autry in 1947, achieved top position in the charts in 1949 – The same year that Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters recorded the song. A song entitled ‘Somehow’ was a minor hit for Billy Eckstine in 1949. Edmund Gwenn mentions that Donald Crisp presented him with his Academy Award for his part in ‘Miracle On 34th Street’ – This ceremony took place in March 1948.

35th Anniversary Command Performance May 1977 (60 mins) (S15)

With various orchestras, Ken Carpenter, Bob Hope (m.c), Bud Abbott & Lou Costello, Jack Benny, Edgar Bergen, Fanny Brice & Hanley Stafford (‘Baby Snooks’ & ‘Daddy’), George Burns & Gracie Allen, Eddie Cantor, Dennis Day, Jimmy Durante, Judy Garland, Dorothy Lamour, Mary Livingston, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton Don Wilson and Bing Crosby.

Blues In The Night Dinah Shore

Speak Low Frank Sinatra

*Star Dust

*Inka Dinka Doo with Jimmy Durante

No Love, No Nothing Judy Garland

Note:

(a) This assembled show was the final programme, probably broadcast in 1977. It would seem likely that these Crosby contributions originate from Command Performance No. 31 & No. 81, respectively.

There were so-called “Special” programmes considered to be items which did not belong to the series or had a longer running time than 30 minutes. In spite of the fact that AFRS created a matrix to cover these, they do not appear to have conformed to their own rules and no number was allocated to them. To simplify identification within this Directory and the index, they have been consecutively numbered with the prefix “S”

“In the annals of wartime radio, no brighter spot is to be found than in the brilliant and deserved success of ‘Command Performance’, the programme faithfully and unselfishly put together by showfolk for the exclusive enjoyment of servicemen, overseas. Week after week, the great of Hollywood and Broadway frolicked through a constantly, superb half-hour, providing all-round good fun and entertainment, nowhere equalled on the civilian kilocycles.Like so many magnificent contributions to the war effort, the record of ‘Command Performance’ will have to be closed without the general public ever knowing, fully, what they missed by being in mufti or, what all the branches of radio did without the ballyhoo ordinarily accompanying their ever move. If it has not already been done, the complete file of ‘Command Performance’ recordings would seem deserving of a niche in the Library of Congress, for it would be difficult to unearth a more fitting and permanent account of our sense of humour, in war and more particularly, how the country’s performers helped us keep it”

(Jack Gould “New York Times” 21st October 1945)

“COMMAND PERFORMANCE USA!” - INDEX 2

Lists, alphabetically, the songs or musical items performed solely by guests during the programmes.

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive 172,S5

Air Mail Special S5

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth S14

All The Things You Are 122

Along The Navajo Trail S9,S13

Amen S5

America, The Beautiful S6, S8

Amor S5

And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine 154

Anniversary Song, The S11

Aura Lee S10

Ave Maria 52,S7

Back Beat Boogie 75

Back In The Saddle Again S14

Baia S9

Battle Hymn Of The Republic, The S6

Beer Barrel Polka, The S6

Bless ‘Em All S6

Blues In The Night 60,104,S15

Bolero (Ravel) S1

Brahm’s Lullaby 123

Brazil 52, S11

Chickery Chick S10

Chloe 182

Comic Operetta S11

Conchita, Marquita Lopez 60

Cottontail S14

Cow Cow Boogie 182

Dance With A Dolly S5

De Camptown Races S9

‘Deed I Do S5

Deep Purple 104

Dena 142

Did I Get Stinkin’ At The Club Savoy 118

Dinah S2

Dixieland Band, The 122

Does Your Spearmint Lose Its Flavour? 115

Do It Again! 36

Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree S6,S8

Down By The O-Hi-O 172

Drumboogie S5

Durante, The Patron Of The Arts S11,S13

Embraceable You 52,81,S1,S9

Etiquette Blues S14

For The First Time (I Saw You) S12

Friendship S2

Gee, I Love My G.I. Guy 123

Gee, Mom I Want To Go Home S6,S8

G.I. Jive, The S6,S7

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen S14

Going My Way S9

Good For Nothing Joe 123

Grand Central Getaway S5

Hammacher Schlemmer 129

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing S9, S14

His Rocking Horse Ran Away S12

Holiday For Strings S5

Honeysuckle Rose 142

House I Live In, The S7,S8,S11

How Come You Do Me Like You Do? S1

How Deep Is The Ocean? 97

I Ain’t Got Nobody 81

I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby 30,97,S1

I Couldn’t Sleep A Wink Last Night S9

I Don’t Want Anybody At All 71

If I Loved You S9

I Got Rhythm S13

I Heard You Cried Last Night 104

Il Faut De Tout Le Monde S14

I Like Mountain Music S12

I’ll Be Seeing You 123

I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time 162

I’ll Get By S5

I’ll Never Smile Again S9

I’ll Walk Alone S7

I’m An Old Cowhand 97

I’m Getting Sentimental Over You 182

I’m Gonna Hang My Hat S12

I’m Strong For You 162

Intermezzo S13

In The Evening By The Moonlight S12

I Remember Momma S14

I Remember You 81

Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby S5

It Ain’t Necessarily So S13

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear S9, S14

It Could Happen To You S9

It’s A Great Day For The Irish 81

It’s Love, Love, Love 115,S12

I’ve Been Working On The Railroad S6,S8

I’ve Got A Girl In Kalamazoo 36

I’ve Got Rhythm S7

I’ve Got Sixpence S6

I Want My Mama 118

I Wonder What’s Become Of Sally? 104

Jingle Bells S2, S14

Jingle, Jangle, Jingle 31,S1

Joy To The World S9, S14

Jumping At The Woodside S5

Just For Now S13

K-K-K-Katie 129

Last Round-Up, The 104

La Vie En Rose S14

Let’s Get Lost 71

Life’s Full Of Consequence 142

Lili Marlene S5

Lion And Albert, The 52

Lobby Song, The S7

Long Ago And Far Away 129,142,S9

Lydia, The Tattooed Lady 142

Ma! He’s Making Eyes At Me 81

Man I Love, The 81,160,S7,S13

Mattinata 172

Meet Me In St. Louis 162

Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet S5

Moonlight Becomes You 54

Murder, He Says S9

Music Goes ‘Round And ‘Round, The 162

Music Stopped, The 160

My Ideal S9

Nancy (With The Laughing Face) S12

No Love, No Nothing S15

O Come All Ye Faithful S9

Oh, Lady Be Good S13

O Holy Night S13, S14

Oh! What It Seemed To Be S10

Old Hundredth Doxology S6

O Little Town Of Bethlehem S9, S14

Only Forever 36

O Tic Tac Do Meo Coracao 54

Over The Rainbow 81,162

Over There 97

Patty Cake Man S5

Peanut Vendor, The S11

Pennsylvania Polka S2

Pig Foot Pete 118

Pistol Packin’ Mama 86

Polonaise (Chopin) S7

Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition S2,S9

Put On Your Old Red Flannels S14

Rachel’s Dream 155

Ride, Red, Ride 36

Right Kind Of Love, The 75

Ritual Fire Dance 75

Rum And Coca Cola 154

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town S9,S13

Saturday Night (Is The Loneliest Night Of The Week) 169

Saving Myself For Bill S2

Shoo Fly Pie And Apple Pan Dowdy S10

Shoo Shoo Baby 97,S7

Silent Night S13

Smiles 60

So I Ups To Him S9

Somebody Loves Me S13

Somehow S14

Song Of The Volga Boatmen S11

Speak Low 104, S15

Stairway To The Stars 54

Star Dust 104,182

Stormy Weather 125

Sunday Monday Or Always 115

Swinging On A Star S9

S Wonderful S14

Taking A Chance On Love 60

Tangerine 60

Tea For Two S13

Tess’s Torch Song 162

Thanks For The Memory 123

That Old Black Magic S9

These Foolish Thing S12

They’re Either Too Young Or Too Old 118

This Is The Army, Mr Jones S10,S6

This Is The Guy 104

This One Brief Moment S14

Three Little Words 36

Tico Tico 160,S7

Till The End Of Time S9

Together S14

Trolley Song, The 162

Tuxedo Junction S14

Two O’clock Jump S9

Wandering Minstrel I, A 162

We Gather Together S8

We’re Off To See The Wizard S6

Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? 60

What Do You Do In The Infantry? S10

What Is This Thing Called Love? S7

When I Grow Up 71

When The Lights Go On Again All Over The World 118

When You Wore A Tulip 97

Without You S13

Why Don’t You Do Right? 81

Why Don’t You Fall In Love With Me? S2,S12

Yes, We Have No Bananas 129

You Always Hurt The One You Love S10

You Can’t Blame A Girl For Trying S9

You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To 81,S7

You’ll Never Know 86

You’re Priceless 86

You’re The Top 162

You’re Too Dangerous, Cherie S14

“COMMAND PERFORMANCE USA!” - INDEX 3

Details, alphabetically, the people and places concerned in the programmes.

Abbott, Bud S1,31,S15

Adler, Larry 30

Allen, Fred S2, S11

Allen, Gracie S15

Allman, Elva 44

Ambassadors, The 36

Ameche, Don 17

Anders, Robert P. S11

Anderson, Eddie ‘Rochester’ 142,S11

Andrews Sisters, The S2,129,142,154,155,162,S10, S14

Arnaz, Desi S7

Arnold, Edward 160

Autry, Gene S14

Averback, Hy S13

Babbitt, Harry 31, S14

‘Baby Snooks & Daddy’ 71,S15

Bacall, Lauren 154

Baer, Max 17

Ball, Lucille S7

Barrymore, Lionel 169,S7,S11

Basie, Count 142,S5

Benny, Jack S2,125,S11,S12,S13,S15

Bergen, Edgar S2,S13,S15

Bergman, Ingrid 217

Black, Frank S1,30,31

Blair, Janet 52,S7

Blanc, Mel 71,S13, S14

Bob Mitchell Boys’ Choir S9,S13

Bombardiers, The S5

Borge, Victor 44

Boswell, Connie S1,31

Boyer, Charles S6, 217

‘Brenda & Cobina’ 44

Brice, Fanny 71,S15

Burns, Bob 60

Burns, George S15

Bushman, Francis X. S14

Cagney, James S1,30

Cantor, Eddie S15

Carpenter, Ken S2,44,52,60,71,75,81,86,97,104,115,118,122, 123,125,129,142,154,155,160,169,172,182,S8,S9,S11,S12, S13, S14, S15

Carroll, Georgia 81

Carson, Jack 160

Chekhov, Michael S6

Colbert, Claudette S7,S12

Collins, Lt.Gen. J. Lawton S11

Colman, Ronald S12

Colonna, Jerry 123,162,S9,S12, S14

Conrad, William S14

Conte, John S7

Conway, Julie 31,81

Cooper, Gary125

Cooper, Myrtle 115

Costello, Lou S1,31,S15

Crisp, Donald S14

Crooks, Richard 52

Daley, Cass 162,S9, S14

Davis, Bette S7,S10

Day, Dennis S12,S15

De Haven, Gloria 160,S13

Dietrich, Marlene S7

Dinsdale, Shirley S13

Dorsey, Jimmy S5

Dorsey, Tommy 142,S5

Douglas, Paul 17,S1,31

Dunstedter, Major Eddie 54

Durante, Jimmy 81,162,172,S7,S9,S11,S12,S13,S15

Durbin, Deanna S4

Eddy, Nelson S11

Eisenhower, General Dwight D. S10

Elman, Ziggy 142

Ennis, M/Sgt Skinnay 97

Erwin, Trudy 75

Falkenburg, Jinx S7

Freeman, Ticker 104

‘G.I. Jill’ S6,S7

Gable, Clark S11

Gardner, Ed S7,S9

Garland, Judy 81,122,129,142,162,S6,S9,S11,S15

Garson, Greer S7,S11

Gibbs, Georgia 125

Givot, George 17

Glee Club, The S2

Goodman, Benny S5,155

Grable, Betty 75

Grant, Cary S7

Gray, Johnny 217

Grayson, Carl S10

Gross, Walter S13

Gwenn, Edmund S14

Haines, Connie 123

Hampton, Lionel 142

Hayes, Peter Lind S11

Hayworth, Rita S7,S12

Herbert, Hugh 17

Herman, Woody S5

Hilliard, Harriet S2

Hoosier Hotshots, The S14

Hope, Bob S2,54,60,86,118,122,123, 142,154,155,162,S6,S8, S9,S10,S12,S13, S14, S15

Horne, Lena 123,142,S5,S7

Hussey, Ruth S7

Hutton, Betty 118,S2

Ingle, Red S10

Iturbi, Jose 44,S7

James, Harry 75,S5,S9, S14

Jones, Spike S2,S5,S10

Jordan, Louis S5

Kaye, Danny S7,S11

Ken Darby Singers, The S6

Kenton, Stan 154

King Sisters, The S7

Krupa, Gene S5

Kyser, Kay S1,30,31,S2,44,81,S5,S9

Ladd, Hank S1,S30

Lamarr, Hedy S1

Lamour, Dorothy S15

Landis, Carole 17

Langford, Frances 86,123,S6,S8,S9

Laughton, Charles S2

Lee, Gypsy Rose 118

Lehman, Lotte 123

Lewis, Diana S7

Livingston, Mary S15

Lubitsch, Ernst S11

Lukas, Paul S11

‘Lulubelle & Scotty’ 115

Lum ‘N’ Abner S14

Lupino, Ida S7

Margo S4

Marshall, Henry S6,S7,S9,S13

Martin, Mary 36

Marx, Groucho 142

Marx, Harpo 125

Mason, Sully 81,S5

Mauldin, Bill S7

Maxwell, Marilyn 169,S7

Maxwell, Robert S13

McKinney, Ed 142

Melchior, Lauritz 172,S11,S13, S14

Menuhin, Yehudi 115

Mercer, Johnny S5,169,S6,S7,S9

Meredith, Burgess S7

Merry Macs, The 17,52

Milland, Ray 217

Miller, Ann 125

Miller, Marvin S13

Miranda, Carmen 54,60,160,S7

Mitchell, Shirley 115

Monroe, Vaughn 71,S5

Montgomery, George S7

Montgomery, Robert S7

Moreno, Buddy S5

Morgan, Frank 162

Morse, Ella Mae S5

Murphy, George 217,S11

Murphy Sisters, The 71

Music Maids, The 30,118,S5

Music Maid & Hal, The 17,36,44

Music Maids & Phil, The 52,54,60,S5

Newman, Alfred S2

Normand, Jacques S14

O’Driscoll, Martha 52

O’Malley, Madge 52

O’Malley, Pat 52

Paul, Les 142

Pied Pipers, The S5,S9, S14

Plummer, Sgt Gene 129

Powell, William S7

Rich, Buddy 142

Richard Davis Choir S13

Robinson, Edward G. S7

Rogers, Ginger S7

Romano, Tony 86

Romay, Lina S7,S11

Ross, Shirley 123

Roy, Lisa S14

Rubinstein, Artur 75

Russell, Andy S13

Sentimentalists, The S5

Shaw, Artie 142

Sheridan, Ann 155

Sherin, Leo ‘Ukie’ 75,97

Sherman, James 36,60,97

Shore, Dinah 17,S1,36,54,60,71,97,104,115,142,162,S6,S7,

S8,S9,S10,S11,S12,S13,S15

Silver, Jeffrey S14

Simms, Ginny S1,S2,S5,S6,S7,S9S11

Sinatra, Frank 104,122,123,162,S7,S8,S9,S10,217,S11,S12, S15

Skelton, Red S2,S15

Stafford, Hanley 71,S15

Stevens, Risë S7

Stewart, Blanche 44

Talent, Ziggy 71

Tang, Lin Yu S6

Trevor, Claire S7

Trotter, John Scott 36,60,104

Truman, Harry S. S8,S9

Von Zell, Harry 54,162,S7,S10

Waters, Ethel S2

Webb, Jane S14

Welles, Orson S7,S8,S11

Wheeler, Bert S1,30

Whitman, Ernest S7

Whitty, Dame May 169

Wilkerson, Martha S6,S7

Willson, Meredith 54,118,123,125,129,162,S10

Wilson, Don 36,S5,S7,S11,S15

Wiseman, Scott 115

Young, Loretta S6,S7

Young, Robert S13

“MAIL CALL” (All programmes produced in Hollywood)

No. 11 4th November 1942 (a)

Announced by Ken Carpenter. With AFRS Orchestra, Fred Astaire, Betty Rhodes, Fibber McGee and Molly and Bing Crosby.

Hit The Leather Orchestra & Chorus

*I’ll Capture Your Heart with Fred Astaire

*White Christmas with Betty Rhodes

Easy To Dance With Fred Astaire

*Abraham with Betty Rhodes

*Be Careful It’s My Heart

*Easter Parade

*White Christmas (reprise)

*Hit The Leather (Parody) with Fibber McGee & Molly & Chorus

Note:

(a) The major part of the programme is a potted version of the film “Holiday Inn” with narration

by Bing

No. 21 20th January 1943

Announced by Chet Huntley. With AFRS Orchestra, The Music Maids and Hal, Alice Faye, Tommy Dorsey, Andy Devine, Cesar Romero and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

Further details unknown.

No. 54 2nd September 1943

Announced by Don Wilson. With AFRS Orchestra, 370th Army Air Force Band, The Merry Macs, Nan Wynn, Robert Benchley, Ben Lyon (m.c) and Bing Crosby

I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles The Merry Macs

*Paper Doll

Saludos Amigos 370th AAF Band

It’s Always You Nan Wynn

*You’ll Never Know

No. 61 20th October 1943

Announced by Harry Von Zell. With AFRS Orchestra, Frank Morgan, John Conte, Nora Lou Martin, John Brownlee and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

Further details unknown.

No. 73 12th January 1944 - Salute To Iowa

Announced by Don Wilson. With AFRS Orchestra conducted by Meredith Willson/Skinnay Ennis, Dorothy Lamour, Jerry Colonna and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

*San Fernando Valley with Orchestra conducted by Skinnay Ennis

Got A Date With An Angel Skinnay Ennis

It Could Happen To You Dorothy Lamour

*Iowa with Orchestra conducted by Meredith Willson

I Love Life Jerry Colonna

*Something To Remember You By with Dorothy Lamour

No. 78 16th February 1944 - Dedicated To Washington State

Announced by Don Wilson. With AFRS Orchestra, The Les Paul Trio, Richard Crooks, Connie Boswell and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

*My Ideal

My Heart Tells Me Connie Boswell

Star Dust Connie Boswell

Oh! What A Beautiful Morning Connie Boswell

Songs My Mother Taught Me (Dvorak) Richard Crooks

*Timber / In The Evening By The Moonlight/

You Are My Sunshine (Parody) with Richard Crooks

Begin The Beguine Les Paul Trio

*Between 18th & 19th On Chestnut Street (a) with Connie Boswell

Note:

(a) On The Air OTA101978 (CD) - “Great Moments With Bing Crosby And Friends From The Radio Shows”

No. 91 17th May 1944 - Tribute To Minnesota (a)

Announced by Harlow Wilcox. With AFRS Orchestra, The Music Maids, Stella Friend, Arthur Treacher, Jimmy Durante, Judy Garland (m.c.) and Bing Crosby

The Trolley Song Judy Garland

*It’s Love, Love, Love

Can Do, Will Do (The Song Of The Seabees) Judy Garland

*Amor

*The Groaner, The Canary And The Nose (b) with Judy Garland & Jimmy Durante

Note:

(a) The complete programme was issued on the following:

Tandem Records LP-1903 - “Mail Call”

Laserlight 15413 (CD) - “Mail Call”

(b) Hallmark 303372 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & Friends - The Radio Years”

No. 102 26th July 1944 - Tribute To Hawaii

Announced by Don Wilson. With Harry Owens Orchestra, The Douglas Aeronaders, The Paul Taylor Choir, The Merry Macs, Hilo Hattie, Connie Haines, Betty Grable and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

*Hello Hawaii

*Blue Hawaii with Connie Haines

Hawaiian War Chant The Merry Macs

Ukulele Lady Connie Haines

Song Of The Islands Les Paul Trio

I’ve Got To Learn To Speak Hawaiian Hilo Hattie

The Cock-Eyed Mayor Of Kaunakakai Hilo Hattie

Sing Me A Song Of The Islands Betty Grable

*Sweet Leilani with Paul Taylor’s Douglas Aeronaders

Aloha Oe Harry Owens Orchestra

No. 120 22nd November 1944

Announced by Don Wilson. With AFRS Orchestra, The Sportsmen, Risë Stevens, Garry Moore, Peggy Ryan, The Andrews Sisters and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

*Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

Down In The Valley The Andrews Sisters

*Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby with The Andrews Sisters

If You Were The Only Girl In The World Garry Moore

*The Day After Forever

Habanera from ‘Carmen’ (Bizet) Risë Stevens

Lullaby Of Broadway The Andrews Sisters

*The Amphibians Battle Hymn (We’re Going In)

No. 122 6th December 1944

Announced by Don Wilson. With AFRS Orchestra, Sgt Jerry Hauser, Tito Guizar, Jo Stafford, Humphrey Bogart, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Betty Grable (m.c.)

Bing Crosby’s contribution is restricted to a cameo appearance at the close of a comedy sketch based on “The Princess And The Pirate”

No. 128 24th January 1945

Announced by Harry Von Zell. With AFRS Orchestra, The Charioteers, Martha Mears, Lauritz Melchior, Cass Daley and Bing Crosby (m.c.)

*Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

Goodnight, Wherever You Are Martha Mears

E Lucevan Le Stelle (Puccini) Lauritz Melchior

Together Cass Daley

*More And More

*One Meat Ball with Lauritz Melchior

No. 138 28th March 1945 - Honouring Oscar Winning Film ‘Going My Way” (a)

Announced by Don Wilson. With AFRS Orchestra, Leo McCarey, Connie Haines, William Frawley, Barry Fitzgerald, Jack Benny, Bette Davis (m.c.) and Bing Crosby

*Swinging On A Star

Come And Live In Lankersham Leo McCarey

*You Belong To My Heart

*Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral

*Ida (Sweet As Apple Cider) with William Frawley

Note:

(a) The complete programme was issued on Spokane 20 - “Der Bingle - Volume 3” and Double Gold DBG53042 - “Bing Crosby - Those Great World War II Songs”

No. 154 18th July 1945

Announced by Don Wilson. With AFRS Orchestra conducted by Alvino Rey, Marilyn Maxwell, Johnny Mercer (m.c.) and Bing Crosby

Gotta Be This Or That Johnny Mercer

I’m In A Jam With Baby Marilyn Maxwell

*Along The Navajo Trail

Holiday For Strings (Rose) AFRS Orchestra

*Small Fry with Johnny Mercer

*Mr. Gallagher & Mr. Shean with Johnny Mercer

No. 205 12th August 1946 (a)

With Dorothy Lamour, Cass Daley, Richard Crooks, Jerry Colonna, Connie Boswell, Marguerite Chapman (m.c.) and Bing Crosby.

I’m In The Mood For Love Dorothy Lamour

They’re Either Too Young Or Too Old Cass Daley

*Timber with Richard Crooks

*You Are My Sunshine (Parody) with Richard Crooks

* Amor

I Love Life Jerry Colonna

*Between 18th & 19th On Chestnut Street with Connie Boswell

Note:

(a) This appears to be a largely ‘assembled’ programme. Bing’s contributions originate from Mail Calls Nos.73, 78 and 91.

A list of the main guest appearances we know about during Bing’s time on the Kraft Music Hall is provided below. Apart from the main AFRS programmes of ‘Command Performance’, ‘Mail Call’ and G I Journal’, Bing also recorded other programmes for servicemen and details of these recording sessions are given, although actual broadcast dates are not known.

February 1 Takes part in the Red Cross Relief Programme on the Blue Network and sings ‘One, Two, Button Your Shoe’.

May 23 Appears in a five hour benefit for pianist Joe Sullivan at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium and the proceedings are carried by two different radio stations.

November 8 Stars in a CBS radio version of the film ‘She Loves Me Not’ on the Lux Radio Theatre. Bing sings ‘Love in Bloom’, ‘I’m Hummin’, I’m Whistlin’, I’m Singin’ and ‘Straight From The Shoulder’. The complete programme was issued on the LP Totem LP-1004 - ‘She Loves Me Not’.

December 31 Guests on the premiere broadcast of Paul Whiteman’s new radio show for Chesterfield on CBS.

July 20 Appears on the Tommy Dorsey radio show on NBC and plays drums as part of a musical instrument amateur talent competition with other stars. Bing sings ‘Honeysuckle Rose’ and then takes part in a presentation of ‘When You and I Were Young Maggie’ with the other guests.

December 25 Live broadcast from Bing’s home as he helps his children open their presents.

February 5 Stars in the Gulf Screen Guild broadcast with Jane Withers on CBS. Bing sings ‘This Can’t Be Love’, ‘I Have Eyes’ and ‘Small Fry’.

June 14 Takes part in ‘America Calling’ radio show and sings ‘God Bless America’.

July 12 Bing is at Suffolk Downs, Boston to see his horse Ligaroti run in the Massachusetts Handicap and he is interviewed during the race meeting by Clem McCarthy on the NBC Blue Network.

December 10 Stars in Gulf Screen Guild radio show ‘Mr. Jinx Goes To Sea’ on CBS. Bing sings ‘Are You Having Any Fun?’, ‘South of the Border’ and ‘Make With The Kisses’.

January 6 Bing sings ‘South Of The Border’ on the Bob Crosby radio show "Caravan".

‘Bob Crosby Orchestra with Mildred Bailey. Production attempted to create a homey and intimate atmosphere by explaining that Mildred Bailey was a childhood friend of the Crosby’s. The angle was furthered by dialogue from brother Bing piped in from the coast. Bing socked over ‘South Of The Border’’

January 15 In radio version of the film ‘Sing You Sinners’ for Lux Radio Theatre on CBS. Bing sings ‘Small Fry’, ‘I’ve Got a Pocketful of Dreams’ and ‘Don’t Let That Moon Get Away’. The complete programme was issued on the LP Spokane 8 ‘Sing You Sinners’.

August 16 Hosts a live radio show from Del Mar for the premiere of the film ‘Rhythm on the River’. Sings ‘Where The Turf Meets the Surf’, ‘That’s For Me’, ‘Rhythm on the River’, ‘When the Moon Comes Over Madison Square’ and with Mary Martin, ‘Only Forever’. Extracts from the show can be heard on the LP Curtain Calls 100/2 - ‘Both Sides of Bing Crosby’.

October 29 Takes part in a broadcast for Community Mobilisation for Human Needs.

January 30 Bing is thought to joined in a nation-wide all-network radio hook-up to celebrate President Roosevelt’s birthday.

February 23 Takes part in the Gulf Screen Guild radio production of ‘Altar Bound’ with Bob Hope and Betty Grable on CBS. Bing sings ‘Frenesi’. (The complete programme was issued as part of Radiospirits 40062 (6-CD set) “On The Road Again”)

June Stars in ‘Man In the Street" with Mary Martin, part of a series of dramatised upmarket stories.

July 9 (6.00 – 7.00 pm) Appears in ‘Millions for Defense’ radio show with Bob Hope.

July 19 Acts as an announcer to describe the scene as the Hollywood Gold Cup is run at Hollywood Park.

August 2 Hosts a show from Del Mar and sings ‘It Makes No Difference Now’.

October 14 Broadcasts in Argentina on Radio El Mundo. Speaks in Spanish on the show.

“One shot of Bing Crosby over radio El Mundo on the Red White and Blue network here, with singer's fee going to the Patronato Nacional de Infancia children's charity drew much favourable comment as goodwill builder. Crosby down to vacash and look at horses refrained entirely from personal appearances, refused to attend the opening of 'Road To Zanzibar' and fought all official greeting. Sponsor was Kraft Argentina. J. W. Thompson local office handled arrangements for one-time broadcast. Script cleverly handled with singer piecing out enough Spanish to play straight man to film star, Nini Marshall and others. Eduardo Armani orchestra gave out jive which Crosby rated a best 'yanqui' beat. Fee not disclosed. Agency say while high for here, like peanuts in US.”

November 1 Appears in a sponsored broadcast ‘Silver Anniversary of the Blues’ with Mary Martin and Johnny Mercer to promote his film 'Birth of The Blues’.

November 15 Takes part in ‘Free For All’, a show to celebrate the 15th. anniversary of NBC.

January 18. Appears in the Silver Theater production of "Weekend in Havana" on CBS.

March 8 Stars in Gulf Screen Guild version of ‘Too Many Husbands’ with Bob Hope.

March 28 Bing appears on the Lucky Strike ‘Hit Parade’ radio programme following heavy demand from servicemen.

June 18 Takes part in the Gershwin Memorial Concert at the Shrine Auditorium. The proceedings are recorded and broadcast on WEAF-NBC on July 4. Bing sings, ‘Maybe’, ‘Somebody Loves Me’ and ‘I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’. Also, he duets with Dinah Shore on ‘Summertime’ and ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’.

July 4 Bing and Dinah Shore sing in a tribute to Stephen Foster transmitted on the Mutual Broadcasting System.

July 23 Takes part in ‘Treasury Star Parade’, a War Bond radio programme. Thought to have sung ‘I’m Saving a Dime Out of Every Dollar’ with the Al Newman Orchestra.

September 10 Bing records the AFRS ‘Front Line Theater’ radio show No. 1 with Bob Hope, Hedy Lamarr and Glenn Miller’s Orchestra.

October 1 Records the first of the ‘Personal Album’ series of AFRS shows for servicemen.

October 19 Records ‘Song Sheet’ shows No. 14 and No. 16 for servicemen through the AFRS. Sings ‘White Christmas’ on one of the shows and gives the lyrics of the song at dictation speed.

December 16 Makes a guest appearance in a radio play called "The Mayor of the Town" with Lionel Barrymore.

December 26 Appears on the "Soldiers with Wings" show on the Mutual Broadcasting System.

January 11 Stars in radio version of ‘Holiday Inn’ with Dinah Shore. Bing sings ‘Happy Holiday’, ‘Be Careful It’s My Heart’, ‘Abraham’ ‘Easter Parade’ and with Dinah Shore, 'White Christmas’. The complete programme was issued on the LP’s Spokane 15 ‘Bing Crosby’ and Sandy Hook SH2409 ‘The Bells Of St. Mary’s/Holiday Inn’. It was also issued as part of Radiospirits 40062 (6-CD set) “On The Road Again”.

January 30 Sings ‘Home on the Range’ on radio programme ‘America Salutes the President’s Birthday’ (March of Dimes Show).

April 5 (6:00 p.m.) Stars in Lux Radio Theatre version of ‘Road to Morocco’ with Bob Hope and Ginny Simms on CBS. Bing sings ‘Moonlight Becomes You’ and ‘Road to Morocco’. (The complete programme was issued as part of Radiospirits 40062 (6-CD set) “On The Road Again”)

May 16 (6.30 pm) Acts as guest quizmaster on ‘Quiz Kids’ programme broadcast on the Blue network.

June 2 Bing plays golf at Nashville at Belle Mead Country Club and gives a short show afterwards on the course and auctions various items to help sell War Bonds. The event is broadcast over station WSM. and Bing sings ‘As Time Goes By’ and ‘Dinah’

June 30 (9:00 - 10:00 p.m.) Takes part in a show from the Hollywood Bowl to launch the ‘Build the Cruiser Los Angeles Campaign' which is broadcast over NBC. Bing sings ‘Old Glory’ and ‘As Time Goes By’.

July 4 Guests on the Paul Whiteman radio show on NBC with Harry Barris and Al Rinker. They sing 'Mississippi Mud’ together. Bing also takes part in a Gershwin medley with Dinah Shore and sings ‘Summertime’, ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’ and ‘I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’. The song ‘Mississippi Mud’ was issued on the LP London HA-Z 2365 - ‘Paul Whiteman’s 50th. Anniversary Record’.

“Chase and Sanborn Summer series (NBC) still has 8 weeks to go but it still seems a good bet that it reached the acme of musical entertainment, as far as this series is concerned, on last Sunday's (4th) broadcast. Everything meshed so perfectly and the performance produced such rare enjoyment in the genre of popular music, that it's hard to conceive other show's pilots even coming within reaching distance of this event. The program was divided into two sections, and each was a darb of showmanship and execution. The first section offered a revival of the original Rhythm Boys; namely Bing Crosby, Al Rinker and Harry Barris and the ten minutes of raillery vocalising and special business that ensued was a treat of uncommon dimensions. The trio's interpretation of 'Mississippi Mud' would undoubtedly become a must for record collectors if it were recorded. It was in the second section that the program took off to the heights of brilliant musical entertainment. The scripted material was amended from George Gershwin's' 'Porgy and Bess' and what Dinah Shore and Crosby, supported by Paul Whiteman's sterling orchestral background, did with the vocals can best be described by borrowing a phrase from the Swing and its lexicon, namely "out of this world."”

July 7 Appears in the ‘Soldiers with Wings’ radio show with Corporal Alan Ladd and sings ‘Sunday, Monday or Always’ and ‘You’ll Never Know’. The show comes from the Santa Ana Classification Centre and is transmitted on the Mutual network.

July 31 Takes part in a radio program celebrating the first anniversary of the WAVES.

August 17 Again guests on ‘Johnny Mercer’s Music Shop’ radio show on NBC.

September 8 Bing takes part in a nation-wide broadcast on all four networks to launch the Third War loan and sings ‘The Road to Victory’.

September 13 Stars in the Screen Guild radio production of ‘Birth Of The Blues’ with Johnny Mercer and Ginny Simms on CBS. Bing sings ‘Memphis Blues’ and a snatch of ‘Basin Street Blues’ alone, ‘Birth of the Blues’, ‘Way Down Yonder in New Orleans’, ‘The Waiter, The Porter and The Upstairs Maid’ with Johnny Mercer and Ginny Simms and duets ‘Wait Till The Sun Shines Nellie’ with Ginny Simms.

September 21 Bing guests on Bob Hope’s first Pepsodent show of the season on NBC. (The complete programme was issued as part of Radiospirits 40062 (6-CD set) “On The Road Again”)

December 7 Appears on Ed Gardner’s ‘Duffy’s Tavern’ radio show on the Blue Network and sings ‘How Sweet You Are’.

December 20 Stars in an hour long Lux Radio Theatre version of ‘Dixie’ with Dorothy Lamour and Barry Sullivan on CBS. Bing sings ‘Sunday, Monday or Always’, ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’, ‘She’s From Missouri’, ‘A Horse That Knows The Way Back Home’, ‘If You Please’ and ‘Dixie’.

December 22 (6:30 - 7:00 p.m.) Bing and Janet Blair are the guests on the ‘Soldiers with Wings’ radio show.

December 24 (1:00 - 3:00 p.m.) Bing is one of many guests on a radio special on CBS.

December 24 (7:00 p.m.) Bing takes part in an all network radio special ‘Christmas Eve at the Fronts’ with Bob Hope and Lionel Barrymore.

December 25 (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) Bing and Bob Hope star on the ‘Elgin Watch Show’ on CBS with Jack Benny and Judy Garland. Bing sings ‘Kentucky Babe’, ‘My Heart Tells Me’ and ‘White Christmas’.

January 10 Records guest spot on the AFRS ‘Jubilee’ show No. 60. Ernie Whitman is M.C. Bing sings ‘Shoo, Shoo, Baby’.

January 17 (6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time) Bing takes part in ‘Let’s Back the Attack’, a radio show on all four networks to launch the Fourth War Loan drive.

February 15 (7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.) In Theatre Three at the Santa Ana Classification Centre, Bing guests on Bob Hope’s radio show on NBC with regulars Frances Langford, Jerry Colonna, Vera Vague (Barbara Jo Allen) and the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Bing sings ‘My Ideal’.

March 4 Records a ‘Personal Album’ show for the AFRS with Harry Mitchell.

May 13 Is heard in a radio program concerning the Cadet Nurse Corps inductions.

June 4 (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) Takes part in ‘Salute to Our Armed Forces’ a Bakers of America radio show on NBC for Fleischmann Yeast. Other guests are Bob Hope, Edgar Bergen, Gracie Fields, Judy Garland and Burns & Allen.

June 14 (7:30 p.m.) Bing and Charles Boyer appear on the radio programme ‘Report to the Nation’ on CBS.

June 18 (4:00 - 4:30 p.m.) Appears on NBC’s ‘Your All Time Hit Parade’ with Tommy Dorsey and two of the songs he sings with the Dorsey Orchestra (‘Small Fry’ and ‘Pennies from Heaven’) are recorded for use on a V-Disc.

August 27 (6:00 p.m.) In London, Bing records the ‘Variety Bandbox’ radio show for the BBC (broadcast August 29) at Queensberry All-Services Club with Tommy Handley. Bing sings ‘San Fernando Valley’, ‘Long Ago and Far Away’ and ‘Moonlight Becomes You’.

August 28 Takes part in a live broadcast ‘Mark Up the Map’ with Broderick Crawford on the BBC’s AEF programme. The programme tells the Forces what territory has been captured that week and Bing takes the opportunity to introduce himself to those at the front saying he would be touring there shortly.

August 30 Records the programme ‘A Soldier And a Song’ with Glenn Miller at Bedford which is broadcast on September 3. Bing sings ‘Amor’, Long Ago and Far Away’, ‘White Christmas’ and ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’. Goes on to London where Bing broadcasts live from the BBC’s Paris Cinema between 8:30 - 9:00 p.m. with George Melachrino and the British Band of the AEF, singing three songs, ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’*, ‘Swinging on a Star’ and ‘With a Song in My Heart’. (*included on “So Rare: Treasures From The Crosby Archive” – Collectors’ Choice Music CD WWCCM21092)

August 31 (8:30 - 9:00 p.m.) Does live broadcast with Glenn Miller and his American Band of the AEF from the Paris Cinema and sings four songs, ‘Long Ago and Far Away’, ‘Amor’, Swinging on a Star’ and ‘Poinciana’.

November 14 (7:00 - 7:30 p.m.) Bing appears on Bob Hope’s radio show on NBC with Frances Langford and Jerry Colonna.

November 20 Bing takes part in Frank Sinatra’s Vimms Vitamins radio show and sings parodies in comedy duets with him and a solo version of ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’

November 23 (8:30 - 10:00 p.m.) Bing, Jack Benny and Eddie Cantor act as emcees on the NBC 6^th War Loan Drive programme.

December 6 (10:00 - 11:00 p.m.) Bing and Bob Hope emcee ‘The Show Goes On’ (on NBC) to raise money for the Sixth War Loan. Fred Astaire, James Cagney, Frances Langford, Dinah Shore and Edgar Bergen are featured on the hour long show.

December 18 Bing is heard in a radio program focusing on the WAVES called "Vox Pop".

December 19 (7:00 to 7:30 p.m.) Guests on Bob Hope’s Christmas show on NBC with Frances Langford, Vera Vague and Jerry Colonna. The show comes from San Diego in front of an audience of WAVES. Bing sings ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Silent Night’ alone and ‘Let’s Take the Long Way Home’ with Frances Langford.

December 24 (3:00 p.m.) Stars in the Philco Radio Hall Of Fame show on the Blue Network with Paul Whiteman and Orson Welles. He is also reunited with some of the troupe who had accompanied him to Europe, namely Jeannie Darrell, Joe De Rita and Darlene Garner. The show comes from the Earl Carroll Theatre / Restaurant in Hollywood. Bing is the M. C. and also takes part in a reading of ‘The Happy Prince’ with Orson Welles. Bing sings ‘Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive’ with Jeannie Darrell and Darlene Garner and he also sings ‘Jingle Bells’ ‘Adeste Fideles’ and ‘White Christmas’, accompanied by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra.

December 25 (1:00-3:00 p.m. Pacific Time) Bing, Bob Hope and Jack Benny star in the two hour Elgin Christmas Party radio show on CBS. Don Ameche acts as M.C. Bing mentions another make of watch (Bulova) much to the annoyance of Elgin.

December 27 (7:30 p.m.) Bing and Bob Hope headline the National Sports Award dinner broadcast by station KMPC.

December 31 (1:30-2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) Appears on the Andrews Sisters radio show with Gabby Hayes plus Vic Schoen and his Orchestra on the Blue Network. Bing sings ‘Don’t Fence Me In’ and ‘Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive’, both with the Andrews Sisters.

Introduces many ‘Personal Album’ shows for the AFRS which include some of Bing’s recordings and the occasional extract from KMH shows. The shows are broadcast at weekly intervals.

January 8 (7:00 p.m.) Stars in a radio version of ‘Going My Way’ with Barry Fitzgerald on CBS with the Screen Guild Players.

January 30 On ‘March of Dimes’ radio show with Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland to salute the President’s birthday and to raise funds for the fight against polio. The programme is broadcast on all radio networks. Bing and Frank sing a comedy duet together and also Bing sings ‘Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral’.

February 5 (8:30 - 9:00 p.m.) Takes part in the Dupont Cavalcade of America broadcast ‘The Road to Berlin’ on NBC which tells the story of Bing’s trip to Europe in 1944. Bing sings an introductory ‘Where the Blue of the Night’ and follows it with a solo version of ‘White Christmas’, ‘Easter Parade’ (with Jeannie Darrell), choruses of ‘Pagan Love Song’, ‘Shoo Shoo Baby’ and ‘You Are My Sunshine’, a solo of ‘San Fernando Valley’, ‘If I Had My Way’ (with Jeannie Darrell and Darlene Garner) and finishes with a chorus of ‘Home Sweet Home’. The entire programme was issued on the LP ‘Der Bingle, Volume Four’ Spokane 30.

February 10 Thought to have appeared in the NBC programme ‘On the Scouting Trail’.

March 7 (7:30 p.m.) On ‘Five Will Get You Ten’ radio programme broadcast on the Blue Network for the Catholic Bishops’ War Emergency and Relief Committee. Bing sings ‘Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral’.

March 15 After completing his KMH show earlier in the evening, Bing escorts Dixie to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre for an 8:00 p.m. start to the Academy Awards presentation. He receives his Oscar for best actor from Gary Cooper for ‘Going My Way’, the event emceed by Bob Hope. The proceedings are broadcast on the Blue Network.

April 15 Bing and Bob Hope take part in a two hour radio tribute on NBC to the late President Roosevelt and Bing sings ‘Faith of Our Fathers’ and ‘Brahms Lullaby’.

May 2 (6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) Bing guests on the ‘Frank Sinatra Show’ on CBS for Max Factor and sings a medley of parodies with Frank.

May 7 Stars in the Lux Radio Theatre version of ‘Sing You Sinners’ with Joan Caulfield and sings ‘I’ve Got a Pocketful of Dreams’, ‘Don’t Let That Moon Get Away’ and ‘Small Fry’.

May 9 (6:00 p.m.) Bing takes part in a radio show on the Blue Network ‘The Road Ahead’ with Grace Moore. Most of the show comes from Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland and the M.C. is Clifton Fadiman.

May 11 Is heard in a radio program called "Which Is Which" with Peter Lorre and Frank McHugh.

May 13 VE Day. Bing appears on ‘The Chapel of the Air’ hour on the Mutual Network talking about finding time for prayer. This is the first of Father Peyton’s Rosary broadcasts and it achieves nation-wide coverage as it is a national day of thanksgiving following the end of hostilities in Europe.

“Bing Crosby from Hollywood, Sunday (13^th) on Mutual’s ‘Chapel of the Air’. Crosby said that the Family Rosary was recited at his home every day, that he wanted his four boys to love their country, God and their home, that he wanted to believe in the efficacy and practice of prayer both at home and in church. Through daily family prayer, continued Crosby, all children and all adults will come closer to God. Crosby had a simple but perfectly phrased script which he read superbly.”

May 13 (5:30-6:00 p.m.) Bing and Bob Hope star in the Seventh War Loan programme which is broadcast on all networks.

May 26 Bing and Bob Hope take part in an exhibition golf match at Tam O’Shanter Country Club, Chicago. During the round, they give a radio interview on NBC and sing a brief snatch of ‘Road to Morocco’.

May 29 (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing makes an unscheduled guest appearance on Bob Hope’s radio show on NBC with Herbert Marshall and Frances Langford. The show comes from Washington Hall at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend. Bing surprises Hope with a birthday cake as it was Bob’s birthday and leads the audience of servicemen in singing “Happy Birthday”. (The programme was issued on Radiospirits 43462 “Bob Hope Show – 12 CD longbox”)

June 20 Bing stars in the ‘The Walgreen Birthday Party’ which had been recorded on May 16 as part of the Seventh War Loan Drive show at Warners’ Wiltern Theatre in Hollywood with Paulette Goddard, the Andrews Sisters and Rise Stevens. Bing sings ‘All of My Life’, ‘You Belong to My Heart’ and a duet with the Andrews Sisters, ‘Don’t Fence Me In’.

July 2 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) On ‘The Telephone Hour’ on NBC radio and plugs the film ‘The Great John L’ which has just been released by United Artists. Bing’s fee for the show is $7,500. He sings ‘You’re a Grand Old Flag’, ‘Darling Nellie Gray’, ‘De Camptown Races’, ‘Home on the Range’, ‘A Friend of Yours’, ‘When You Were Sweet Sixteen’, ‘The Band Played On’ and ‘God Bless America’. Extracts from the programme were issued on the LP Spokane 30 - ‘Der Bingle, Volume Four’.

July 6 (7:00-7:30 p.m. Pacific Time) Guests on ‘The Ray Bolger Show’ on CBS for the Rexall Drug Company and sings ‘Sentimental Journey’ and ‘A Friend of Yours’. Again receives $7,500 for his services.

August 6 Takes part in ‘Music For Millions’, a transcribed 15 minutes radio show.

August 8 Records AFRS ‘Christmas Jubilee Show’ with Count Basie (broadcast December 1945) and sings ‘Gotta Be This or That’.

August 14 (10:30 a.m.) Bing guests on a radio show from station KHJ with Paula Stone and Phil Brito to plug the film ‘The Great John L’.

August 20 Bing deputises for Hedda (who is on holiday) on ‘Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood’ radio show and promotes ‘The Great John L’. Bing sings ‘A Friend of Yours’.

September 14 Again appears in ‘Music For Millions’ War Bond radio show and sings three songs with John Scott Trotter and the Orchestra, including ‘We’ve Got Another Bond to Buy’. The show has been recorded.

December 5 (8:00 p.m.) Emcees a half hour radio show ‘That They Might Walk’ on the Mutual Network for the Sister Kenny Foundation in New York. Jimmy Dorsey, Dee Parker and Patrice Munsel are in support.

“Bing Crosby, missing from Kraft Music Hall this season, came back to the mike, last week (5^th) when he sang and emceed a special show on Mutual in support of the Sister Kenny Foundation. The Groaner is Chairman of a fund campaign to help infantile paralysis victims through the Kenny method. So, he put his heart, as well as his best showmanship into a well-paced half-hour that made good listening. To back him up, he had Jimmy Dorsey’s band. To complement his style he brought Dee Parker. To garnish the stanza with something classical, he put on Patrice Munsel, in an aria from ‘La Traviata’, assisted by Sylvan Levin’s longhairs. Der Bingle kept his Polio Fund plugs, brief and pointed, though with that kind of line-up, how could the show, ‘That They Might Walk’, be bad.

December 6 (11:35 p.m. to midnight) Bing stars in a special Victory Loan radio broadcast over ABC. He is accompanied by Paul Whiteman and his Band.

December 9 Sings ‘I’ve Told Every Little Star’ and ‘More and More’ in a radio tribute to the late Jerome Kern on CBS with Judy Garland, Dinah Shore and Frank Sinatra. The show is hosted in New York by Patrice Munsel and in Hollywood by Nelson Eddy.

December 10 In a radio program called "We Helped" which dramatises the efforts of those who went abroad to entertain the troops.

December 22 (12:30 – 1:00 p.m.) Bing emcees another New York radio show, the BBC - NBC ‘Atlantic Spotlight’. Roland Young guests with Richard Greene, Arthur Askey and Leslie Mitchell contributing from London. Bing sings ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’.

“Bing Crosby sparked the NBC/BBC ‘Atlantic Spotlight’ on Saturday (22^nd) with some light banter and emceeing and some choice crooning of, ‘It’s Been A Long, Long Time’ and ‘White Christmas’. The quintet of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’ with Der Bingle, Roland Young, Cornelia Otis Skinner, Ben Grauer and Leslie Mitchell, the last named, chiming in from London was something else again - a musical melange, only mildly entertaining. Miss Skinner and Young offered an amusing ‘nitwit’ bit from their ‘Johnny Presents....’programme. Contributions from London with Richard Greene plugging his forthcoming film and Leni Lyn singing “One Love’ was just so-so stuff”

December 23 (6:00 – 6:30 p.m.) Bing guests on the Philco Radio Hall of Fame show on the ABC network. Maurice Evans and Martha Tilton also appear and Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra provide the music.

December 25 (10:00 – 10:30 p.m.) Thought to have made a guest appearance on Bob Hope’s radio show on NBC.

Appears on The Hedda Hopper Show and, with Leo McCarey and Hedda, enacts scenes from ‘The Bells of St. Mary’s’.

April 19 Takes part in radio show ‘Cancer Drive Program’ with Bob Hope, Ginny Simms, Frank Sinatra and Perry Como.

April 21 (12 noon to 1:00 p.m.) On ‘Can You Tie That’, a radio programme over station KALC which is compered by Al Jarvis and comes from Earl Carroll’s Theatre / Restaurant in Hollywood. This is a record grading contest. Bob Hope grades ‘Who’s Sorry Now’ by Bing whilst Bing grades Hope’s record of ‘Two Sleepy People’ amongst several other records by other artistes. The other members of the panel are Ella Logan and Dave Dexter.

August 26 Bing stars in the Screen Guild Players radio version of ‘The Bells of St. Mary’s’ on CBS with Ingrid Bergman. Bing sings ‘Aren’t You Glad You’re You’ and ‘The Bells of St. Mary’s’.

No. 17 11th June 1942

No. 44 28th December 1942

No. 52 13th February 1943

No. 60 1st April 1943

No. 75 11th July 1943

No. 86 25th September 1943

No. 104 1st February 1944

No. 115 15th April 1944

No. 118 6th May 1944

No. 123 3rd June 1944 (a)

No. 125 17th June 1944

No. 129 15th July 1944

No. 155 16th December 1944

No. 160 1st February 1945

No. 169 5th April 1945 (a)

No. 172 26th April 1945

No. 182 5th July 1945 (Celebrating G.I. Jive’s 1000th Programme)

No. 190 6th September 1945

“COMMAND PERFORMANCE USA!” INDEX 1

“COMMAND PERFORMANCE USA!” - INDEX 2

“COMMAND PERFORMANCE USA!” - INDEX 3

No. 21 20th January 1943

No. 54 2nd September 1943

No. 61 20th October 1943

No. 120 22nd November 1944

No. 122 6th December 1944

No. 128 24th January 1945

No. 154 18th July 1945

“MAIL CALL” - INDEX 2

No. 8 4th September 1943

No. 9 10th September 1943

No. 10 17th September 1943

No. 11 24th September 1943

No. 12 9th October 1943

No. 13 15th October 1943

No. 20 11th December 1943

No. 31 18th February 1944

No. 44 19th May 1944

No. 48 16th June 1944

No. 52 14th July 1944

No. 53 21st July 1944

No. 69 17th November 1944

No. 86 16th March 1945

No. 94 11th May 1945

No. 105 31st July 1945

“G.I. JOURNAL” - INDEX 1

“G.I. JOURNAL” - INDEX 2

No. 182 5th July 1945 (Celebrating G.I. Jive’s 1000thProgramme)