Dinah Shore Ed Gardner

Description

Dinah Shore starts the show by giving out presents and talking to the audience, then sings "I Walk Alone." Jazz musician Art Tatum performs his music, and Chico Marx teams up with Dave Newman for a fun musical number. Major Wilson leads the AFRS Orchestra in songs by Irving Berlin. Comedian Archie Gardner makes people laugh with his Duffy's Tavern comedy bits. Dinah ends the program by taking requests from listeners and singing "How Deep Is the Ocean" for the soldiers.

Host Dinah Shore opens with gifts and remarks, performing "I Walk Alone." Art Tatum delivers jazz, while Chico Marx and Dave Newman provide a playful musical act. Major Wilson and the AFRS Orchestra play Irving Berlin. Archie Gardner provides comedy with Duffy's Tavern sketches. Dinah closes with requests, singing "How Deep Is the Ocean," dedicated to troops.

Command Performance was a radio program which originally aired between 1942 and 1949. The program was broadcast on the Armed Forces Radio Network (AFRS) and transmitted by shortwave to overseas troops — but with few exceptions, it was not broadcast over domestic U.S. radio stations.

Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 4.0. Updated May 11, 2026.