Afrs Command Performance Thanksgiving Special 1944-11-23

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – AFRS Command Performance Thanksgiving Special 1944-11-23

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: AFRS Command Performance Thanksgiving Special 1944-11-23
Date Published: November 6, 2025
Main Theme:
A heartwarming and humorous entertainment broadcast from Thanksgiving Day, 1944, featuring musical performances, lighthearted sketches with notable radio stars, reflections on American traditions, and a message of gratitude to the Armed Forces overseas. The episode celebrates the communal spirit of Thanksgiving during wartime, blending music, comedy, and patriotic sentiment.

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Episode Overview

This special Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) Command Performance episode is set on Thanksgiving Day, 1944, and serves as both variety entertainment and a morale booster for U.S. troops fighting overseas. Hosted by Lionel Barrymore, the show features musical numbers by Percy Faith and his orchestra, comedic sketches with stars such as Dinah Shore, Wally Brown, Harry Von Zell, Fanny Brice (as Baby Snooks), Hanley Stafford, and Frank Morgan, and closes with a moving reflection on gratitude and hope for peace.

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Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Thanksgiving Greetings & Musical Medley

[00:36 – 05:45]

• Lionel Barrymore opens the show, addressing American soldiers overseas as "your old collection of hash marks," and welcomes listeners to a Thanksgiving "table" of entertainment.
• Percy Faith and the orchestra deliver a medley of American tunes, simulating the feeling of coming together for a national holiday, no matter how far away from home.

Quote:
"Music from America North, East, South. We like to have all the folks around the table for Thanksgiving, and we are mighty pleased this particular member timed a trip abroad so she'd be back with us today. Dinah Shaw."
— Lionel Barrymore [01:20]

2. Dinah Shore Sings "How Sweet You Are"

[05:45 – 06:36]

• Dinah Shore takes the spotlight, performing a warm and sentimental rendition of “How Sweet You Are,” evoking nostalgia and emotional connection for listeners far from home.

3. Thanksgiving Dinner Sketch: Comedy & Wordplay

[06:36 – 12:06]

• Wally Brown hosts a fictional Thanksgiving dinner with Dinah Shore and Harry Von Zell. Their comedic banter covers everything from household quirks and rationing challenges (wartime realities) to Thanksgiving traditions.
• Dinah and Wally exchange witty lines about moths in the closet celebrating Thanksgiving, mock complaints about hunger, and a deliberately muddled recounting of the first Thanksgiving.

Quote:
"After all, it's Thanksgiving for moths too."
— Dinah Shore [08:40]

"He was raised strictly on Congress. And around here he had plenty to eat, too."
— Wally Brown, referring to the turkey [09:11]

4. The First Thanksgiving – A Farcical Retelling

[10:32 – 12:06]

• Wally tells a freewheeling, humorous "history" of the first Thanksgiving, packed with anachronisms and puns (Pilgrims arriving in "one Plymouth," Indians with a "reservation").

Quote:
"There was a boatload of pilgrims... How could they all fit into one Plymouth?"
— Wally Brown [11:10]

"Everybody came. Even the Indians came. They had a reservation."
— Wally Brown [11:54]

5. John Charles Thomas Sings "We Gather Together"

[12:26 – 14:48]

• A stirring, traditional hymn reinforces the gratitude theme, invoking togetherness and blessing.

6. Baby Snooks Thanksgiving Fantasy

[15:12 – 23:49]

• Fanny Brice (Baby Snooks), Hanley Stafford, and Frank Morgan star in a delightful post-feast sketch set in the Higgins home.
• Snooks and her father Lancelot engage in classic “child logic” banter—full, tired, hungry again, and sleepy—after Thanksgiving dinner.
• It turns bizarre as they both dream they've turned into turkeys and meet Frank Morgan as a bombastic rooster, worrying about being served as dinner rather than eating it.
• Filled with gags about kitchen roles, holiday food, and a pun-filled barnyard chase.

Quote:
"You just said you had too much to eat. Now you're hungry."
— Hanley Stafford (as Daddy) [16:04]

"Do I talk like a turkey? ... Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble."
— Fanny Brice (Baby Snooks) [16:57-17:00]

7. “Thanks” and “Plenty To Be Thankful For” – Patriotic Spirit

[23:58 – 26:54]

• Dinah Shore & chorus perform an Irving Berlin song and “Plenty to Be Thankful For,” highlighting gratitude not only for material blessings but for the Allied countries and military branches fighting for freedom.

Quote:
"Thanks for the Yanks and for China and the Dutch and for all who’ve done so much for freedom... For Canada, for England, Australia and New Zealand..."
— Dinah Shore & Chorus [24:19]

"Still I've got plenty to be thankful for..."
— Dinah Shore (singing) [24:54]

8. Closing Reflections – Hope & Gratitude

[27:51 – 28:25]

• Lionel Barrymore closes the show with a sober but uplifting message to those serving abroad, recognizing the pain of separation on Thanksgiving but emphasizing gratitude for America’s freedoms, resources, and international friendships.

Quote:
"It’s pretty tough for any soldier or sailor to get excited about Thanksgiving Day when he’s a few thousand miles away from home and the cranberry sauce. But let’s all be thankful anyway that we've got a country to come home to..."
— Lionel Barrymore [27:51]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Wartime Humor:
  "Tell us a Thanksgiving story, Wally." "Oh, but that's done it. An after dinner story. Tell you probably will do card tricks, too."
  — Dinah Shore & Wally Brown [10:35]

• Uplifting Music:
  "We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing..."
  — John Charles Thomas & Chorus [12:44–14:48]

• Touching Realization:
  "I just realized we have a lot to be thankful for..."
  — Hanley Stafford (Daddy) [23:25]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Thanksgiving Introduction & Welcome: [00:36]
• Percy Faith Orchestra Medley: [01:20 – 05:45]
• Dinah Shore “How Sweet You Are”: [05:45 – 06:36]
• Thanksgiving Dinner Comedy Sketch: [06:36 – 12:06]
• John Charles Thomas “We Gather Together”: [12:26 – 14:48]
• Baby Snooks and Barnyard Fantasy: [15:12 – 23:49]
• Dinah Shore & Chorus “Thanks” and “Plenty to Be Thankful For”: [23:58 – 26:54]
• Closing Message from Lionel Barrymore: [27:51 – 28:25]

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Tone and Style

The tone throughout is a lively blend of warmth, nostalgia, and zany humor—with heartfelt patriotism and gentle encouragement during a difficult wartime Thanksgiving. Playful wordplay, musical nostalgia, and a recurring undercurrent of hope and gratitude anchor the episode, making it both entertaining and emotionally resonant for its original audience of homesick GIs, as well as today’s listeners seeking a window into the Golden Age of Radio.

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Transcript

[A]

And Doug, here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug. Limu.

[B]

Is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

[A]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[B]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty.

[A]

Liberty.

[C]

Liberty.

[A]

Liberty Savings.

[B]

Very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.

[A]

From America. Greetings on Thanksgiving Day, 1944.

[D]

This is Lionel Barrymore, men. Your old collection of hash marks. And they put me here at the head of this Thanksgiving table to dish out the entertainment vittles to you fellas overseas. By way of an appetizer, Percy Faith and the orchestra are offering a medley of tunes as American as a hot dog and a ham sandwich on rye. Music from America North, East, South. We like to have all the folks around the table for Thanksgiving, and we are mighty pleased this particular member timed a trip abroad so she'd be back with us today. Dinah Shaw.

[C]

How sweet you are how sweet you are how dear, your tenderest moan Pale through days all bitter and gray and brill through nights when even the stars are dead Sweet snow My heart can glow from just the warmth of a f Embrace.

[E]

The world.

[A]

A.

[C]

Lovely world by far When I remember how sweet you are thanks and. Hi there, everybody. This is Dan. And this being Thanksgiving, Wally Brown has turned host and invited us over to his house for Thanksgiving dinner.

[A]

Well, thank heaven. It was beginning to look like Eatless Thursday. Let's go.

[C]

Well, I guess this is the house.

[A]

Well, dine ashore.

[C]

Well, Wally Bell.

[A]

Oh, gee, dinosaur, I'm glad you were able to make it. What did you do, bring your own turkey?

[E]

Turkey?

[C]

Wally, that's Harry Bonzell.

[A]

Just a minute here. I do not look like a turkey. Or do I? Well, not a live one. Well, come on in.

[C]

Come on in.

[A]

Make yourselves at home.

[E]

Gee, you got a nice place here, Wally.

[C]

You were lucky to find a house like this with a swimming pool and all.

[A]

Oh, it isn't bad. All except the front walk.

[C]

What's wrong with the front walk?

[A]

Every time I come home at night, I bump into those gasoline pumps. I mean you. Oh, you see, I told you, Dinah. That wasn't the swimming pool we passed. That was the grease pit. Come on. Here. Let me hang your things up.

[C]

Oh.

[A]

Oh, brother. Look at the moths in that closet.

[C]

Oh, Harry, where's your holiday spirit? After all, it's Thanksgiving for moths too.

[A]

Sure. What can a moth eat? Just a stuffed cup and a Blue Fleet. Well, now, look, fellas. Can't we talk later? I'm hung.

[C]

Harry, where are your manners?

[E]

Don't be so impatient.

[A]

Well, I'm not impatient.

[C]

Then stop chasing that moth.

[A]

Well, let's get started. Dinah, you. You sit over here. And Harry, you sit over in that high chair. Oh, thank you. Wait. The high chair. Wait a minute. This thing is a trap. I won't be able to get at the food. I think of everything, don't I? Well, how do you like it? Look at that turkey. He was raised strictly on Congress. Yes, I should. And around here he had plenty to eat, too. Okay, kids, pass your plates. Harry, leave your teeth alone. No, I will. Wrong plate.

[C]

Hey, hey, butter.

[A]

Look, he's got butter.

[C]

Butter.

[A]

He's got wonderful stuff. Harry. Harry. It goes on the bread. You don't spread it all over town. I didn't. I haven't had. Oh, excuse me. Wally. Wally, please. Just a month. It happens that. That's my elbow you're dunking in the gravy there. Well, anything with meat on it these days. Tell you what I'll do. I'll give you four points first. I'll take it. All right. Okay, kids, what do you have?

[E]

I'll have some white meat.

[A]

There you are. Harry, what pot would you like?

[C]

Well.

[A]

Well, what's the difference? I know what part I'll get. Oh, well, you know, this is a pretty good dinner, if I have to say so myself. And I guess I'll have to say so myself. This is a pretty good dinner.

[C]

Ah, Thanksgiving.

[A]

Thanksgiving. Strange how it all started, isn't it?

[C]

Tell us a Thanksgiving story, Wally.

[A]

Oh, but that's done it. An after dinner story. Tell you probably will do card tricks, too. You talked me into it. Well, it started way back in the. There was a boatload of pilgrims. They left from the. They landed at a. They were poor. They didn't have any. They were on the rocks. There were hundreds of them. They were all trying to. But there wasn't enough room. I mean, how could they all fit into one Plymouth?

[C]

Wally, who was at the head of this party?

[A]

Oh, this really wasn't a party, Dinah.

[B]

It was very serious.

[A]

Everybody worked. There was one fellow, worked like a. His name was John Smith. The one and only John Smith. But he branched out. Well, look at the telephone book now. Boy, that Smith guy, he really got around. He liked to travel. He was a hitchhiker. He took a ride on a. He went as far as he went up to the. He was right in the middle of a. He was lost, but he had a check. Only he Couldn't get a cash. The banks were closed. I mean, they all was. Are on Thanksgiving. Ah, that first Thanksgiving. What a crowd. Oh, wait. What a crowd. What a crowd. More people. More people were trying to. You couldn't even park here. And in those days, they didn't have any. I mean.

[E]

Every.

[A]

Everybody came. Even the Indians came. They had a reservation. Thank you.

[D]

Dinah Shaw, Wally Brown and Harry Von Z. And now, gang, here's another neighbor who's dropped in on us for a free drumstick. John Charles Thomas.

[A]

The chorus and I would like to sing the beautiful old Dutch traditional hymn of Thanksgiving. Or you may know it. As we gather together to ask the Lord's blessing.

[F]

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing He chastens and hastens his will to make known the wicked oppressing Seize them from distressing Sing praises to his name he forgets not his.

[A]

Honor beside us to guide us Our God with us joining or they maintain his kingdom divine so from the beginning the fight we were winning the Lord was set aside all glory be Thy.

[F]

We all do extol the leader in battle and pray that our skill or defender will be Let thy congregation.

[A]

Thy name be ever praised O Lord, make us free Lord, make.

[E]

Us.

[A]

Free now.

[D]

Since it's Thanksgiving Day, fellas, let's look in on the typical American home. The time is just after dinner, and we find ourselves in the living room of the Lancelot Higgins household, which boasts that sweet, unforgettable character, Baby Snook.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

What a meal.

[E]

Daddy.

[B]

Snooks, please. I can just about stagger to that couch.

[E]

I got a funny feeling in my tummy.

[B]

Funny feeling?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You feel like you didn't get enough to eat?

[E]

No, I feel like I don't want all I got.

[B]

Well, just drink some water and forget about it.

[E]

I can't forget about it.

[B]

Why not?

[E]

Cause I'm hungry.

[B]

You just said you had too much to eat. Now you're hungry.

[E]

I'm sleepy too.

[B]

Well, go to bed.

[E]

Daddy, I think that's sleepy.

[B]

Snooks, it's Thanksgiving. Let me go through one whole evening without punishing you.

[E]

All right, Daddy. You got my permission.

[B]

Oh, this is a night for gratefulness, for benevolence. Look, why don't you run across the street and ask how old Mrs. Hooper is?

[E]

I did, Daddy, just like you told me.

[B]

What did she say?

[E]

He said it's none of your business how old she is.

[B]

Well, then go inside and help Mommy with the dishes.

[E]

Why don't you do it?

[B]

Because a man's place is not in.

[E]

The kitchen, is it? On the couch.

[B]

Now, don't be impertinent. Just run along. And stay away from that ice box. If you eat any more turkey, you'll turn into a turkey.

[E]

Do I talk like a turkey?

[A]

Yes.

[E]

Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble.

[B]

The child is right. I suppose I should go in and help the little woman with the dishes. But then, why should I spoil her? I'm so clumsy, I might break my one.

[D]

Thanks.

[E]

Daddy.

[B]

Snooks, is that your voice?

[A]

Where are you?

[E]

Right here.

[B]

Where? All I see is a scrawny little turkey.

[E]

That's me.

[A]

You.

[B]

Good heaven, Snooks, how did you get to be a turkey?

[E]

He said if I eat any more, I'll turn into one.

[B]

Oh, Snooks, you didn't go back for more turkey, did you? Did you?

[C]

Didn't I?

[B]

And look at me. I'm covered with feathers. Could it be that I'm a turkey, too? Could that be?

[E]

Could be.

[B]

Snooks, this is weird.

[E]

Yeah, it's weird.

[B]

Lancelot Higgins. A turkey. Gone. My bubbling laughter. My flashing smile. What can I say to the neighbors?

[E]

I know, Daddy.

[B]

What?

[E]

Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble.

[B]

This is no time for jokes. I'm a turkey, and yet I don't feel like a turkey.

[E]

How do you feel, Daddy?

[A]

How? Not bad, eh?

[E]

Daddy?

[A]

What?

[E]

You may be a turkey, but you ain't change much.

[B]

Why, look, Zeus. We're right in the middle of a barnyard. If I didn't know I was wide awake, I'd think I was dreaming.

[E]

Daddy, there's a duckwood eyeglass.

[B]

Quiet, snoops. It may be Frank Tours.

[E]

And look at that cute little chicken.

[A]

Chicken, eh? Cute little chicken. Well, greetings, my feathered friends. Where is this luscious Leghorn?

[B]

Frank's Frank Morgan.

[E]

Daddy. Mr. Morgan is a hen.

[A]

Correction, my mealy mouse, little moppin. I happen to be a rooster. Hen is the female of the species. Bless their little heart.

[B]

I'm certainly glad to see you, Frank. We are new in this barnyard.

[A]

Well, I'm just visiting myself. I have a farm of my own.

[E]

You know, that's funny, Daddy. He's a rooster, and he has a farm.

[A]

Well, what's funny about it?

[E]

Do you crow in the morning to wake yourself up?

[A]

She's such a girl. Of course I have a farm. With cows and chickens and ducks. And I have a prize bull that weighs 10,000 pounds.

[E]

10,000 pounds?

[A]

Oh, yes.

[E]

Ain't that a terrible lot of bull, Mr. Morgan.

[A]

Everywhere I go, I get the same thing. Well, see you later. I have a date with a gorgeous guernsey at one of the local watering tours. Elsie's her name. She's a model for Borden. Goodbye. Frank.

[B]

Don't get yourself into any hot water.

[A]

Hot water? What have I got to worry about? I'm not a turkey.

[B]

Snopes. I didn't like that laugh. What made him laugh?

[E]

Maybe his fetus tickle.

[A]

No.

[B]

Snopes. Do you know what day this is?

[E]

Mm, it's Thanksgiving day.

[B]

Exactly. Do you know what that means?

[E]

Sure. It means we're gonna have turkey for dinner.

[B]

No, we're the turkeys. They're going to have us for dinner. Who us?

[A]

Well, what was that?

[E]

It's a man with a gun. Daddy. It's Mr. Mudge.

[A]

Mudge?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Why of all people? He hates me. He'll wring my neck. Snooks, you've got to protect me.

[E]

I gotta protect you?

[B]

Yes. I'm a great big heavy setbird. You're just a runt.

[E]

Why don't you protect me?

[B]

Don't be silly. Who'd want to eat a scrawny, sawed off, tired looking little turkey like you? Listen. He's got a machine gun.

[E]

That ain't a machine gun, Daddy.

[B]

What is it?

[E]

It's your knees knocking.

[B]

Snooks, he's coming this way. Talk to him. I'll hide behind this rock.

[E]

All right, daddy, Leave it to me.

[A]

Hey you. You haven't seen a turkey around here named Lancelot Higgins?

[E]

Lancelot Higgins?

[A]

Yes. He's that big flannel mouth bag of wind who used to live next door to me.

[E]

Never heard of him.

[D]

Don't give me that.

[A]

I know he's around somewhere. You know what I'm gonna do when I catch him?

[E]

You're gonna stuff him, right?

[B]

And then you know what I'm gonna do?

[C]

Uh huh.

[A]

What?

[E]

You're gonna kick the stuff and die.

[B]

What was that?

[E]

It's somebody's knees knocking.

[A]

Whose knees?

[E]

Sonoma. Run, Daddy. He's off to you.

[B]

Snokes. Stop splashing.

[A]

Where are we?

[E]

We're in a swimming pool. Down.

[B]

Well, look over the side and see what's cooking.

[E]

All right, Daddy.

[B]

What?

[E]

We're cooking.

[C]

I knew it.

[B]

He's spoiling us alive.

[A]

You're gonna taste awful good, Higgins.

[B]

Much.

[A]

You can't do it.

[E]

Suck him, Daddy.

[B]

You can't cook us alive.

[C]

It's murder.

[A]

Let me out of here. Let me out of here. Let me out.

[C]

Let me out.

[F]

Let me out.

[B]

It's you.

[E]

Who'd you think it was?

[A]

Oh.

[B]

You'Re not a turkey, are you?

[E]

No, I'm Snoke.

[B]

Oh. Snoke's my little girl. Oh, you've never looked more adorable.

[E]

Me?

[B]

Yes. Come here and let me kiss you.

[E]

Don't you feel well, Daddy?

[B]

Never felt better. And I just realized we have a lot to be thankful for here. I've been sleeping on the couch while your mother's been doing the dishes. Well, I'm going right in and straighten up the kitchen with her Tomorrow I'll clean up the woodwork with her. I'll think of something else for Saturday.

[E]

Mommy's already thought of something.

[B]

Oh, she has?

[C]

How do you know?

[E]

Well, she just said she was going to mop up the floor with you.

[A]

Now, I really hope this.

[D]

Thank you, Fanny Brice, Hanley Stafford and Frank Morgan. Now Dinah Shaw and the chorus join to bring us an Irving Berlin song inspired by the American spirit of thanksgiving.

[A]

Thanks for the act. Thanks for Russia's giant guns and for all the other sons of freedom thanks for the Yanks and for China and the Dutch and for all who's done so much for freedom For Canada for England, Australia and New Zealand for fighting French and tributes war along the South Pacific shore they will keep their Navy plan of free land We've got plenty to be thankful for.

[C]

I've got plenty to be to to be thankful for I haven't got a great big yacht to sail from shore to shore Still I've got plenty to be thankful for I've got plenty to be thankful for no private car, no cabin Are no carpet on my floor Still I've got pleasure to be thankful for.

[A]

For the.

[C]

Men who bear the title of the United States Marine and for those men.

[A]

Who shout.

[E]

Away.

[A]

And for each project sail as they hit Thirsty pray and for cape on your rolling along.

[C]

And all the men who fly Spouting their flame from under off with one hell of a roar I'm thankful too that.

[A]

This is proof of nothing who got the Army Air Corps? We are ready to be thankful for.

[C]

How could anybody ask for more? My needs are small I buy them all at the 5 and 10 cent store yes, I've got plenty to be thankful for.

[A]

Sab winding up this Thanksgiving.

[D]

Spread with just one or two more words. It's pretty tough for any soldier or sailor to get excited about Thanksgiving Day when he's a few thousand miles away from home and the cranberry source. But let's all be thankful anyway that we've got a country to come home to that's rich in its natural bounties and opportunities and rich in its friendship with other nations who have proven themselves strong and helpful in hastening that day. When tyranny ends and we celebrate a.

[A]

Real Thanksgiving, it's this is the Armed Forces Radio Service.