Jack Benny Harpo Marx Bing Crosby

Description

Jack Benny serves as master of ceremonies while Ken Carpenter hosts, bringing laughs and songs to American soldiers. Bing Crosby performs "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby." Harpo Marx plays his harp alongside Crosby's "Blue Heaven." Ann Miller does a tap dance wearing military boots. Benny and Crosby joke around together, and Marx teams up with Gary Cooper for wordless comedy acts. The show wraps up with "One Alone" dedicated to troops stationed close to Rome.

Ken Carpenter hosts with Jack Benny as MC, offering humor and music to U.S. troops. Bing Crosby sings "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby." Harpo Marx plays harp with Crosby's "Blue Heaven." Ann Miller tap dances in GI shoes. Benny and Crosby share banter, while Marx and Gary Cooper perform silent comedy. It ends with "One Alone" for troops near Rome.

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.