My parents were in WW-II. Dad was a Lt. Colonel. Mom was the secretary to a man who was but a few steps below FDR. His name was Henry. (Grin) I am so glad that they are not here now to see how all of their sacrifices have been cast aside and forgotten. I had lunch with Bob Hope one afternoon. He was the most wonderful man and was no different that when he was on stage. He grew up not too far from where I grew up so we had plenty about which to talk. It drove him crazy that I would address him as MR. HOPE. He finally managed to get me to call him Bob but, it was more of an effort on my part than his. That's the way I was raised. This kind of talent will never be see again, ever! You won't get any support such as this for our service people now. Hollywood is now officially dead and nothing but a no man's land. In fact, it is now a branch of the invaders who have been attacking us for decades. I agree with a recent poster that this era very likely was the pinnacle of the American society and maybe even mankind as a whole.
Wow! This is an amazing post for several reasons. First of all I really appreciate the service your parents provided for our country. Secondly, I am obsessed with everything from the 1930s and 40s. I play the piano and love to play swing music from that era. I’ve recently started learning all I can about Bob Hope. I’m envious that you had lunch with him. What a story that is! And lastly, I noticed this was posted two years ago. Things have degenerated even more than when you originally wrote this with regard to our nation. It’s probably a good thing that most of the World War II vets aren’t around to see this. I don’t know what it’s going to take to turn things around if that’s even possible at this point. Thank you for taking time to share.
Man, the forties had such distinct style, and this clip epitomizes it. The big band vibe, the vocal stylings and the wonderful hair and gown choices on the two talented stars, you can't beat it.
Today's "entertainers" have talent. They have talent for making potty jokes (like 4 year-olds), swearing, and screeching obscenities at the top of their voices. As for looks, let's just say that Betty Hutton didn't have to get naked for people to look at her.
Bob Hope was a master at how to read from a script, but also connect to the audience. Notice how he looks up from the script at the end of a passage to the give the audience a sly look or a deadpan stare.
My dad told me when he was in the Navy in WWII a lot of the guys on his ship were crazy about June Allyson. Dad himself loved Frances Langford. Wish he could have watched this with me.
WOW!! Like a time travel experience! So wonderful to see what went on at Command Performance. The Great Bob Hope, the adorable June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven, the electric Ethel Smith...and my own private little Tinker Bell, the Spectacular, Awesomely Beautiful, Frances Langford...singing the timeless 'Embraceable You' in that haunting 'Langford way' Thank you so much for posting this treasure!
man what a bunch of class that was displayed in this clip and was standard practice for so many shows back then. my dad lived through this era though he was back stateside by the time this one was recorded. my guess is he still listened to it just as eagerly as if he was in the pacific. thanks for postin.
Hope and Frances Langford, the forces' sweetheart, labored so hard on USO tours in combat zones that she hit the bottle and had to be flown home. Happily she soon recovered to lead a long and productive life in Florida as a yachtswoman, restaurateur and civic leader. Few showbiz names worked one tune harder than Ethel Smith.
To make up for not being on the front lines entertaining the troops, Frances starred on "THE CHASE & SANBORN PROGRAM", Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy's 1945 summer replacement on NBC. For 13 weeks, she, Spike Jones & His City Slickers, Tony Romano and announcer Ken Carpenter broadcast from a different military installation or hospital in California each Sunday. The war ended at the same time the series did.
June & Gloria sang that song in a movie with Van Johnson, "Two Girls and a Sailor" (the girls played sisters who sang w Harry James' band & they ran a night club then had after-hours parties for the military guys). Love that movie.
What a terrible wonderful time. I think hardly anyone didn't pull togehter. Oh sure there were decenters but not that many. Almost everybody knew they had a purpose.
I feel like we don't have a chance when we're poisoning everyone from the get go now. Vaccines are a joke, no safety testing, pesticides on all the food, pollution everywhere. Hello Industrial Age.
It was a ladies and gentlemen era. I think the 20's and 30's were more a high point though. It was a era of spending, glitter and glamour. A art deco era that defined a changing culture. The Victorian era was very definitive as well. It's hard to chose a real high point but I chose the 20's and 30's personally.
This short featured portions of the September 13, 1944 edition of "COMMAND PERFORMANCE" {Ken Carpenter, announcer}, as it was being recorded. Johnny Mercer was also a guest, but apparently his rendition of "The Wreck of the Old 97" was left on the cutting room floor. Here's the *complete* broadcast, as heard on AFRS around the world: ua-cam.com/video/N1WuEAyKQSA/v-deo.html
I never liked Hope or laugh at his dumb jokes TILL I had been in country my 1st year in Nam. Some guy asked if we wanted to go see a USO show. We said sure! Hoped a ride on my UH2 and there was Hope and his girls! Brought tears laughing! Thanks Bob your the best
Love Miss Allyson and Miss DeHaven. I knew Miss Allyson. Hate to speak ill of the dead, but Jerry Lewis in his auto-bio book wrote of the affair between himself and DeHaven and Allyson and Dean Martin, while she was still married to Dick Powell. Lewis was a cad for doing so while Allyson and DeHaven were still alive.
Dean Martin had a bad experience with Lewis including the fact of him being disrespectful towards Martin in public, with physical abuse while their duet performances, as per other sources Lewis was just plainly a jerk. There are stories of women telling of his misogyny.
I was born in 1948. When Bob Hope said Hollywood didn’t change much. Well it was Hollywood back then. Hollywood is low street talk now in 2022. Too bad.
I have sveral great film shorts of Frances Langford and June Allyson singing in he early 1930s but Warner Brothers will not give me permission to show them. Guess I'll have to wait a few more years until they are in the public domain.
He was right! If Hope started talking it would be about 3-hours! Say, do they make anymore like those two cuties! Maybe we ought to check under Jerry's moustache?
I believe it's because this show was not produced by a commercial network nor broadcast on commercial stations. Tather, it was produced by the Office of War Information, and broadcast on Armed Forces Radio. Civilians never got to hear this program, only people in the service.
+MABHollywood Funny thing, I just watched a Command Performance video of Betty Hutton singing, and the microphone had a big."CBS" label on the side, so maybe my hypothesis is mistaken!
My parents were in WW-II. Dad was a Lt. Colonel. Mom was the secretary to a man who was but a few steps below FDR. His name was Henry. (Grin) I am so glad that they are not here now to see how all of their sacrifices have been cast aside and forgotten.
I had lunch with Bob Hope one afternoon. He was the most wonderful man and was no different that when he was on stage. He grew up not too far from where I grew up so we had plenty about which to talk. It drove him crazy that I would address him as MR. HOPE. He finally managed to get me to call him Bob but, it was more of an effort on my part than his. That's the way I was raised.
This kind of talent will never be see again, ever! You won't get any support such as this for our service people now. Hollywood is now officially dead and nothing but a no man's land. In fact, it is now a branch of the invaders who have been attacking us for decades.
I agree with a recent poster that this era very likely was the pinnacle of the American society and maybe even mankind as a whole.
Wow! This is an amazing post for several reasons. First of all I really appreciate the service your parents provided for our country. Secondly, I am obsessed with everything from the 1930s and 40s. I play the piano and love to play swing music from that era. I’ve recently started learning all I can about Bob Hope. I’m envious that you had lunch with him. What a story that is! And lastly, I noticed this was posted two years ago. Things have degenerated even more than when you originally wrote this with regard to our nation. It’s probably a good thing that most of the World War II vets aren’t around to see this. I don’t know what it’s going to take to turn things around if that’s even possible at this point. Thank you for taking time to share.
Man, the forties had such distinct style, and this clip epitomizes it. The big band vibe, the vocal stylings and the wonderful hair and gown choices on the two talented stars, you can't beat it.
I have always been in love with the 40's. Music, cars, clothing styles, movies.... it had style.
Thank you Bob Hope.
Many years later, he spoke at my grandfather's memorial service. An American icon.
Talent, looks, class. Good luck finding entertainers like this today.
Today's "entertainers" have talent. They have talent for making potty jokes (like 4 year-olds), swearing, and screeching obscenities at the top of their voices. As for looks, let's just say that Betty Hutton didn't have to get naked for people to look at her.
I love this, damn, June Allyson, Gloria DeHaven and Frances Langford, super fabulous, thank you!!!
Bob Hope was a master at how to read from a script, but also connect to the audience. Notice how he looks up from the script at the end of a passage to the give the audience a sly look or a deadpan stare.
My dad told me when he was in the Navy in WWII a lot of the guys on his ship were crazy about June Allyson. Dad himself loved Frances Langford. Wish he could have watched this with me.
Wow, thanks for posting. Didn't realize June and Gloria made appearances together other than in the movies. Gorgeous.
Omg Gloria 😍
Quality entertainment gone forever. Their seemed to be more community and people actually enjoyed the company they kept.
WOW!! Like a time travel experience! So wonderful to see what went on at Command Performance. The Great Bob Hope, the adorable June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven, the electric Ethel Smith...and my own private little Tinker Bell, the Spectacular, Awesomely Beautiful, Frances Langford...singing the timeless 'Embraceable You' in that haunting 'Langford way' Thank you so much for posting this treasure!
Gloria DeHaven has the most beautifully romantic eyes as she's singing. I could watch her over and over again! 😍
.....I think I will!!❤🥰
man what a bunch of class that was displayed in this clip and was standard practice for so many shows back then. my dad lived through this era though he was back stateside by the time this one was recorded. my guess is he still listened to it just as eagerly as if he was in the pacific. thanks for postin.
Hope and Frances Langford, the forces' sweetheart, labored so hard on USO tours in combat zones that she hit the bottle and had to be flown home. Happily she soon recovered to lead a long and productive life in Florida as a yachtswoman, restaurateur and civic leader.
Few showbiz names worked one tune harder than Ethel Smith.
To make up for not being on the front lines entertaining the troops, Frances starred on "THE CHASE & SANBORN PROGRAM", Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy's 1945 summer replacement on NBC. For 13 weeks, she, Spike Jones & His City Slickers, Tony Romano and announcer Ken Carpenter broadcast from a different military installation or hospital in California each Sunday. The war ended at the same time the series did.
Thanks for posting. Classic stuff. Helped us win a war.
Girl to the right (Gloria DeHaven) died last week, RIP. ~ 30 july 2016.
Posting here since its good to memorize a person alongside their performances.
First time to see Francis Langford. Lovely. Thanks.
June & Gloria sang that song in a movie with Van Johnson, "Two Girls and a Sailor" (the girls played sisters who sang w Harry James' band & they ran a night club then had after-hours parties for the military guys). Love that movie.
Very enjoyable! Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed listening to Ethel Smith.
for my money, the 1940's were America's cultural high point in the modern era
What a terrible wonderful time. I think hardly anyone didn't pull togehter. Oh sure there were decenters but not that many. Almost everybody knew they had a purpose.
I feel like we don't have a chance when we're poisoning everyone from the get go now. Vaccines are a joke, no safety testing, pesticides on all the food, pollution everywhere. Hello Industrial Age.
idontgetno
Same goes for here in the U.K.
Without a doubt.
It was a ladies and gentlemen era. I think the 20's and 30's were more a high point though. It was a era of spending, glitter and glamour. A art deco era that defined a changing culture. The Victorian era was very definitive as well. It's hard to chose a real high point but I chose the 20's and 30's personally.
Gloria was rockin.....
GREAT clip. Loved it.
THANKS FOR POSTING THE ETHEL SMITH FOOTAGE. SHE WAS MY FAVORITE ORGANIST AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT.
I did a double take when I thought Bob said, "Just keep your requests coming by....email..." until I realized it's actually V-mail!🤪
i love the movie the two girls and a sailor especialy their songs
+Vincent Lamoste me too!
Tico Tico rocks! Heard a bit of Highway Star in there ;)
I had no idea June Allison was so beautiful.
June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven good in the future friends of the comedy team Martin and Lewis .
That Hammond Organ was hooked up to a good Leslie Speaker. Nice.
No autotune!
I was waiting for that. Everyone on these boards is 12. Anyway, seems 12.
Bob tagged them both !yay
@Zylstra555 You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed! :)
June: lovable...a sweetheart. Gloria?, she was so insanely sexy for her time
This short featured portions of the September 13, 1944 edition of "COMMAND PERFORMANCE" {Ken Carpenter, announcer}, as it was being recorded. Johnny Mercer was also a guest, but apparently his rendition of "The Wreck of the Old 97" was left on the cutting room floor.
Here's the *complete* broadcast, as heard on AFRS around the world: ua-cam.com/video/N1WuEAyKQSA/v-deo.html
June looks so pretty here.
I never liked Hope or laugh at his dumb jokes TILL I had been in country my 1st year in Nam. Some guy asked if we wanted to go see a USO show. We said sure! Hoped a ride on my UH2 and there was Hope and his girls! Brought tears laughing! Thanks Bob your the best
Love Miss Allyson and Miss DeHaven. I knew Miss Allyson. Hate to speak ill of the dead, but Jerry Lewis in his auto-bio book wrote of the affair between himself and DeHaven and Allyson and Dean Martin, while she was still married to Dick Powell. Lewis was a cad for doing so while Allyson and DeHaven were still alive.
Dean Martin had a bad experience with Lewis including the fact of him being disrespectful towards Martin in public, with physical abuse while their duet performances, as per other sources Lewis was just plainly a jerk. There are stories of women telling of his misogyny.
I was born in 1948. When Bob Hope said Hollywood didn’t change much. Well it was Hollywood back then. Hollywood is low street talk now in 2022. Too bad.
Did Bob Hope say "email" @ 10:35? (Ans, NO--he said "V-mail", it just sounded like "email"...
I have sveral great film shorts of Frances Langford and June Allyson singing in he early 1930s but Warner Brothers will not give me permission to show them. Guess I'll have to wait a few more years until they are in the public domain.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! {to them} 😐
Gee, there was a time when the electric organ was all the rage. What happened? Gosh I just realized this...Jack Lalane etc
Hope's handling and adjusting the mic a lot. I would've thought that would've made a lot of noise on the mic in those days.
He was right! If Hope started talking it would be about 3-hours! Say, do they make anymore like those two cuties! Maybe we ought to check under Jerry's moustache?
Where are the lyrics to 'A love like ours?'
bob who..???
Why are the microphone flags blocked off?
I believe it's because this show was not produced by a commercial network nor broadcast on commercial stations. Tather, it was produced by the Office of War Information, and broadcast on Armed Forces Radio. Civilians never got to hear this program, only people in the service.
Thanks, Art.
+MABHollywood Funny thing, I just watched a Command Performance video of Betty Hutton singing, and the microphone had a big."CBS" label on the side, so maybe my hypothesis is mistaken!
Most of the "COMMAND PERFORMANCE" broadcasts were staged at Columbia Square [KNX, Hollywood]- and several at NBC's Radio City/Hollywood facilities.
All the women shown on this video were short little things .
The first song seems like a warning about catching a social disease!
Booooiiing !
Performed before a live audience?