Old Time Radio Downloads > World War 2 > Mail Call

Mail Call from the United States of America was primarily played to the American soldiers of WWII and featured an amazing array of celebrities. Some of the best and brightest stars of radio came out to entertain our men in uniform when they needed it most. The guest stars include comedians Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Tito Guizar and Groucho Marx; starlets Dinah Shore, Tallulah Bankhead, Bette Davis, and Judy Garland; and comic duos Burns and Allen, among others.

Then men who served in the military during WWII could request stars that they wanted to hear on the show. The show is primarily comedy to help the soldiers forget about their wartime woes and remember the America they were fighting to preserve.

See also the Command Performance and Request Performance.

Mail-Call

Please enjoy these old time radio shows:

Air Date Title Synopsis
 1943-07-15  046 EdwGRobinson, Dick Powell

Program #46. AFRS origination. Marion Hutton sings a medley, starting with, "I've Heard That Song Before." Jimmy and Lucille Gleason remember the good old days of vaudeville. Edward G. Robinson (m. c.), Dick Powell, Marion Hutton and The Modernaires, Ann Miller, James Gleason, Lucille Gleason, Don Wilson (announcer). 
 1943-08-26  053 Groucho, P Goddard, Harmonaires

+ Program #53. AFRS origination. The program was released in September or October, 1943. The first tune is a medley of old tunes, starting with, "I've Been Working On The Railroad." Groucho Marx (m. c.), Don Wilson (announcer), Irene Manning, Paulette Goddard, Rose Chi Chi Murphy, Leo Diamond and His Harmonaires, Donald Dickson. 
 1944-01-05  072 Jack Benny

+ Program #72. AFRS origination. A program of special greetings to the fighting men of Illinois. The first tune played by the band is, "Chicago." Johnny Mercer sings his new song, "G. I. Jive." Jack and Judy rehearse a passionate love scene. Jack Benny (m. c.), The Delta Rhythm Boys, Johnny Mercer, Judy Garland, Skinnay Ennis and His Orchestra, Harry Von Zell (announcer), Elvia Allman. 
 1944-01-12  073 Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour

+ Program #73. AFRS origination. A tribute to the state of Iowa. The program features a skit from, "The Road to Utopia." Bing Crosby (m. c.), Skinnay Ennis and His Orchestra, Dorothy Lamour, Meredith Willson (conductor), Jerry Colonna, Don Wilson (announcer). 
 1944-02-16  078 Bing Crosby

+ Program #78. AFRS origination. A program dedicated to the servicemen from the state of Washington. Bing starts the show with, "My Ideal." Bing Crosby (m. c.), Connie Boswell, Richard Crooks, Don Wilson (announcer), The Les Paul Trio. 
 1944-03-08  081 Lionel Barrymore

+ Program #81. AFRS origination. A tribute to servicemen from the state of Pennsylvania. The Pied Pipers sing, "Besame Mucho." Lionel Barrymore (m. c.), The Pied Pipers, Connie Haines, Andre Baruch, Eddie Cantor, Joan Davis, Harlow Wilcox (announcer). 
 1944-04-26  088 W Ed Gardner

+ Program #88. AFRS origination. The cast does an English drawing room drama, and "A Tribute To Brooklyn." Ed Gardner, The Music Maids and Lee, Eddie Green, Irene Manning, Ida Lupino, Charlie Cantor, Harlow Wilcox (announcer). 
 1944-07-26  102 B Crosby, B Grable, Les Paul Trio

+ Program #102. AFRS origination. Atribute to Hawaii. Bing sings, "Hello Hawaii, How Are You?" Bing Crosby (m. c.), Harry Owens and His Orchestra, Connie Haines, The Merry Macs, The Les Paul Trio, Betty Grable, Hilo Hattie, Don Wilson (announcer), The Paul Taylor Douglas Airenaders. 
 1944-08-02  103 Norma Shearer, Georgia Gibbs

+ Program #103. AFRS origination. A tribute to the soldiers of Canada. The first tune is, "The Maple Leaf Forever." Jack Carson takes the audience on a radio tour of Canada. Mel Blanc appears as Bugs Bunny. Nelson Eddy sings, "Rose Marie." The cast does a "Hardy Family" comedy. Mail Call program #50 is also a tribute to Canadian soldiers (see cat. #53097). Don Wilson (announcer), Norma Shearer (m. c.), Jack Carson, Mel Blanc, Nelson Eddy, Cecilia Parker, Ann Rutherford, The Paul Taylor Douglas Airenaders, Georgia Gibbs.
 1944-08-09  104 Rudy Vallee (muffled Beginning)

+ Program #104. AFRS origination. A tribute to the state of Maine. Rudy Valle sings, "The Maine Stein Song." The cast does, "Way, Way Down East." Rudy Vallee (m. c.), Don Wilson (announcer), Fred Allen, Mary Livingstone, Gloria De Haven, Frank Sinatra. 
 1944-09-28  111 Ginny Simms

+ Program #111. AFRS origination. A tribute to the men of "The American Forces Network" in Britain. The first tune is, "It Could Happen To You," sung by Ginny Simms. Don Wilson (announcer), Ginny Simms (m. c.), Jimmy Durante, Johnny Mercer, Jo Stafford, The Pied Pipers, Harry James and His Orchestra, Carmen Dragon and His Orchestra. 

Other World War 2 Shows you may enjoy:

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WHO TODAY LISTENS TO THESE OLD TIME RADIO PROGRAMS?

Recently OTR was sold and traded, on records and cassettes, by people who had grown up during the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's who had grown up listening to these shows. With the internet and mp3s, a new generation of listeners are discovering these delightful old time radio shows and enjoying them immensely. Some of the references and nuances are out of date, but it turns out that a well told story is a delight to all ages of old time radio fans.


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