Command Performance - 44-11-23 (SP) Thanksgiving Special

Summary

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Command Performance Thanksgiving Special (Nov 23, 1944)

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Command Performance - Thanksgiving Special
Summary Date: November 18, 2025

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Overview

This Thanksgiving Special from the classic "Command Performance" series brings together some of the era’s brightest radio stars—including Lionel Barrymore, Dinah Shore, Wally Brown, and Hanley Stafford—for a heartfelt and humorous holiday show. The episode blends music, comedic sketches, and warm messages of gratitude, especially aimed at American servicemen stationed overseas during World War II. With its lively characters and touching moments, the program captures both the spirit of Thanksgiving and the camaraderie of wartime America.

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Key Discussion Points & Highlights

Opening and Welcome

• Lionel Barrymore opens the show, offering a warm message to servicemen abroad, describing himself as the “old collection of hash marks” at the head of the Thanksgiving table (00:27).
• Musical Medley: Percy Faith and his orchestra present a medley of distinctly American tunes (00:30).

Dinah Shore Performs

• Dinah Shore delivers a heartfelt rendition of “How Sweet You Are,” capturing both nostalgia and hope (05:12).
  • Memorable quote:

    "When I remember how sweet you are..." – Dinah Shore (06:14)

• Lighthearted banter follows, teasing Dinah about the Thanksgiving meal and setting a friendly, home-like tone.

Thanksgiving Dinner Comedy Sketch

• Wally Brown hosts a comic Thanksgiving dinner with Dinah Shore, Hanley Stafford, and Baby Snooks (Lancelot Higgins):
  • A string of jokes about turkey, family quirks, and holiday mishaps (07:04–09:59).
  • Wally’s Thanksgiving story: a comical, jumbled retelling of the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving, loaded with puns and wordplay.
    • Memorable exchange:

      “Everybody came. Even the Indians came. They had a reservation.” – Wally Brown (11:22)

  • The cast laughs about wartime rationing, like the scarcity of butter and meat—a subtle nod to the times.

Traditional Thanksgiving Hymn

• The cast and chorus sing “We Gather Together,” a Dutch hymn traditionally associated with Thanksgiving (12:00–14:18).
  • Notable moment: The entire group harmonizes, offering a sense of community and solemnity rare for radio comedy.

Classic "Baby Snooks" Sketch

• Setting: After Thanksgiving dinner in the Lancelot Higgins (Hanley Stafford) household (15:04).
• Baby Snooks (Fanny Brice) pesters her father about overeating, chores, and “turning into a turkey.”
  • Memorable exchange:
    • “You feel like you didn’t get enough to eat?” – Hanley Stafford (15:16)
    • “No, I feel like I don’t want all I got.” – Baby Snooks (15:20)
• A surreal sequence: Snooks and Daddy imagine themselves as turkeys, at risk of being eaten—the comedic “bad dream” has them turning feathery and fearing the fate of the Thanksgiving bird (17:04–17:59).
  • Notable quote:

    “If you eat any more turkey, you’ll turn into a turkey!” – Hanley Stafford (16:17)
    “Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble.” – Baby Snooks (16:28)

• The scene references other radio icons and tosses in animal puns (Frank Morgan as a rooster; Elsie the Borden cow).
  • “Ain’t that a terrible lot of bull, Mr. Morgan?” – Baby Snooks (19:29)
• The comic suspense peaks as the “turkeys” are nearly cooked alive by Mr. Mudge—leading to frantic, slapstick antics before Snooks and Daddy “wake up.”

Message of Gratitude

• The sketch resolves with Daddy (Hanley Stafford) appreciating his family and vowing to help more around the house.
  • Notable quote:

    “Snooks and I just realized we have a lot to be thankful for...” – Hanley Stafford (22:52)

  • Humorous punchline:

    “She just said she was gonna mop up the floor with you.” – Baby Snooks (23:12)

Musical Finale: "I've Got Plenty To Be Thankful For" & Allied Tribute

• Dinah Shore and the chorus perform Irving Berlin’s "I've Got Plenty To Be Thankful For" (23:47–26:21).
• The song includes lyrics of gratitude for the Allies and the military, with specific shoutouts to countries “from Russia’s giant guns... to England, Australia, and New Zealand,” as well as the U.S. Navy, Marines, and Air Corps.
  • Memorable lines:

    “Still I’ve got plenty to be thankful for...” – Dinah Shore (24:20)
    “For all the other sons of freedom...We got plenty to be thankful for.” – Ensemble (25:43)

Final Reflections

• Lionel Barrymore delivers a heartfelt closing, acknowledging the pain of separation for soldiers on Thanksgiving, but urging gratitude for America’s abundance and the hope of peace (27:14).
  • Notable 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 (27:14)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:27 – Lionel Barrymore's welcome and opening remarks
• 05:12 – Dinah Shore sings “How Sweet You Are”
• 07:04–11:33 – Comic Thanksgiving dinner sketch (Wally Brown, Dinah Shore, et al.)
• 12:00–14:18 – “We Gather Together” hymn
• 15:04–23:16 – "Baby Snooks" and Daddy Thanksgiving sketch
• 23:47–26:21 – “I’ve Got Plenty To Be Thankful For” and Allied tribute
• 27:14 – Lionel Barrymore’s closing Thanksgiving message

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Memorable Quotes

• “Everybody came. Even the Indians came. They had a reservation.” – Wally Brown (11:22)
• “No, I feel like I don’t want all I got.” – Baby Snooks (15:20)
• “Ain’t that a terrible lot of bull, Mr. Morgan?” – Baby Snooks (19:29)
• “Still I’ve got plenty to be thankful for...” – Dinah Shore (24:20)
• “But let’s all be thankful anyway that we’ve got a country to come home to…” – Lionel Barrymore (27:14)

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Tone & Atmosphere

Classic, fast-paced radio wit merges with heartfelt gratitude. The musical numbers and comedy sketches alternate between gentle Americana and zany, family-friendly slapstick, with affectionate ribbing and silly puns that evoke Thanksgiving warmth—even while acknowledging wartime hardships.

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For Listeners

If you want a taste of Golden Age radio, family banter, and Thanksgiving cheer—with a dash of sentiment for the troops—this “Command Performance” special is a time capsule of both holiday joy and resilient American spirit. The variety show format, charismatic performers, and topical humor make for a nostalgic, uplifting listen.

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Transcript

[Wally Brown]

From America, greetings on Thanksgiving Day, 1944.

[Lionel Barrymore]

This is Lionel Barrymore Men, Your old collection of hash marks. And they've 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.

[Dinah Shore]

How sweet you are how sweet you are how dear your tenderest moan Fain through days of bitter and brave and brill through night when even the star. How sweet Know my heart can glow from just the warmth of our first embrace.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

The world.

[Chorus/Ensemble]

A lovelier.

[Hanley Stafford]

By.

[Dinah Shore]

When I remember how sweet you are. Thanks. And hi there, everybody.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

This is Dinah.

[Dinah Shore]

And this being Thanksgiving, Wally Brown has turned host and invited us over to his house for Thanksgiving dinner.

[Wally Brown]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Come on.

[Dinah Shore]

Well, I guess this is the house.

[Wally Brown]

Well, dinah. Sure.

[Dinah Shore]

Well, wally brown.

[Wally Brown]

Oh, gee, Dinah, I'm glad you were.

[Lionel Barrymore]

Able to make it.

[Wally Brown]

What did you do, bring your own turkey?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Turkey?

[Dinah Shore]

Wally, that's Harry Von Zell.

[Wally Brown]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Gee, you got a nice place here, Wally.

[Dinah Shore]

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

[Wally Brown]

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

[Dinah Shore]

What's wrong with the front walk?

[Wally Brown]

Every time I come home at night, I bump into those gasoline pumps.

[Lionel Barrymore]

I mean.

[Wally Brown]

You see, I told you. Dinah, that wasn't the swimming pool we passed. That was the grease pit.

[Lionel Barrymore]

Come on.

[Wally Brown]

Here, let me hang your things up.

[Hanley Stafford]

Oh.

[Lionel Barrymore]

Oh, brother.

[Wally Brown]

Look at the moths in that closet.

[Dinah Shore]

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

[Wally Brown]

Sure. What can a moth eat? Just a stuffed cuff and a blue flea. Well, now, look, fellas, can't we talk later? I'm hungry.

[Dinah Shore]

Harry, where are your manners?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Don't be so impatient.

[Wally Brown]

Well, I'm not impatient.

[Dinah Shore]

Then stop chasing that moth.

[Wally Brown]

Well, let's get started. Dinah, you. You sit over here. And Harry, you sit over in that high chair. Oh, thank.

[Hanley Stafford]

Wait.

[Wally Brown]

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 corn.

[Hanley Stafford]

Yes.

[Lionel Barrymore]

I said.

[Wally Brown]

And around here he had plenty to eat, too. Okay, kids, pass your plates. Harry, leave your teeth alone.

[Hanley Stafford]

No, I do.

[Wally Brown]

Wrong plates. Hey, hey, butter. Look, he's got butter.

[Hanley Stafford]

Butter.

[Wally Brown]

He's got wonderful stuff.

[Lionel Barrymore]

Harry.

[Hanley Stafford]

Harry.

[Wally Brown]

It goes on the bread. You don't spread it all over town. I haven't had. Oh, excuse me. Molly. Molly, 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 for it. I'll take it. All right. That's all right. Okay, kids, what'll you have?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

I'll have some white meat.

[Wally Brown]

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

[Chorus/Ensemble]

Ah, Thanksgiving.

[Hanley Stafford]

Thanksgiving.

[Wally Brown]

Strange how it all started, isn't it?

[Dinah Shore]

Tell us a Thanksgiving story, Wally.

[Hanley Stafford]

Oh, for.

[Wally Brown]

That's done it. An after dinner storyteller. 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?

[Dinah Shore]

Wally, who was at the head of this party?

[Wally Brown]

Oh, this really wasn't a party, Dinah. It was very serious. Everybody worked. There was one fellow who 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 always are on Thanksgiving. Ah, that first Thanksgiving. What a crowd. I'll wait.

[Hanley Stafford]

What a crowd.

[Wally Brown]

What a crowd. More people. More people were trying to. You couldn't even park your. And in those days, they didn't have any.

[Hanley Stafford]

I mean, it. Every.

[Wally Brown]

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

[Lionel Barrymore]

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

[Wally Brown]

The chorus and I would like to sing the beautiful old Dutch traditional hymn of thanksgiving, or you may know it.

[Chorus/Ensemble]

As we gather together to ask the Lord's blessing. We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing He chastens and hastens his will to make known the wicked oppressing Cease them from distressing Sing praises to his name he forgets not his all. Beside us to guide us Our God with us Joining, ordaining Maintaining his kingdom divine so from the beginning the fight we were winning the Lord was set aside all glory be. We all do it Solely the leader in battle and pray that Austin our defender Will to be Let thy congregation and take regulation thy name be ever praised O Lord, make us free Lord, make.

[Hanley Stafford]

Us.

[Chorus/Ensemble]

Free.

[Lionel Barrymore]

Now, 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.

[Dinah Shore]

Oh.

[Hanley Stafford]

What a meal.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Daddy.

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

I got a funny feeling in my tummy.

[Hanley Stafford]

Funny feeling? Yeah. You feel like you didn't get enough to eat?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

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

[Hanley Stafford]

Well, just drink some water and forget about it.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

I can forget about it.

[Hanley Stafford]

Why not?

[Dinah Shore]

Cause I'm hungry.

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

I'm sleepy too.

[Hanley Stafford]

Well, go to bed, Daddy.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

I ain't that sleepy.

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

All right, Daddy. You got my permission.

[Hanley Stafford]

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?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

I did, Daddy, just like you told me.

[Hanley Stafford]

What did she say?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

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

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Why don't you do it?

[Hanley Stafford]

Because a man's place is not in.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

The kitchen, is it on the couch?

[Hanley Stafford]

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.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Boy, talk like a turkey.

[Hanley Stafford]

Yes.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble.

[Hanley Stafford]

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 on my break one. Thanks.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Daddy.

[Hanley Stafford]

Snooks, is that your voice? Where are you?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Right here.

[Hanley Stafford]

Where? All I see is a scrawny little turkey.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

That's me.

[Lionel Barrymore]

You.

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

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

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Didn't I?

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Could be.

[Hanley Stafford]

Snooks, this is weird.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Yeah, it's weird.

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

I know, Daddy.

[Hanley Stafford]

What?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble.

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

How do you feel, Daddy?

[Lionel Barrymore]

Foul.

[Wally Brown]

Not bad, eh?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Daddy?

[Hanley Stafford]

What?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

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

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Daddy, there's a duck with eyeglasses.

[Hanley Stafford]

Quiet, Snooks. It may be Frank Tours.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

And look at that cute little chicken.

[Wally Brown]

Chicken, eh? Cute little chicken. Well, greetings, my feathered friends.

[Lionel Barrymore]

Where is this luscious Leghorn?

[Hanley Stafford]

Frank. Frank Morgan, Daddy.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Mr. Morgan is a hen.

[Lionel Barrymore]

Correction.

[Wally Brown]

I'm Eely Mouse, Little muffin. I happen to be a rooster. N is the female of the species. Bless their little heart.

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Wally Brown]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

That's funny, Daddy. He's a rooster and he has a farm.

[Wally Brown]

Well, what's funny about it?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Do you crow in the morning to wake yourself up?

[Wally Brown]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

10,000 pounds?

[Wally Brown]

Why, yes.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

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

[Wally Brown]

Everywhere I go, I get the same thing.

[Chorus/Ensemble]

Well, see you later.

[Wally Brown]

I have a date with a gorgeous Guernsey at one of the local watering drawers. Elsie's her name. She's a model for Borden.

[Chorus/Ensemble]

Goodbye, Frank.

[Hanley Stafford]

Don't get yourself into any hot water.

[Wally Brown]

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

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Maybe his feathers tickle.

[Lionel Barrymore]

No.

[Hanley Stafford]

Snooks, do you know what day this is?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Mm, it's thanksgiving day.

[Hanley Stafford]

Exactly. Do you know what that means?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

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

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

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

[Hanley Stafford]

Mudge? Yeah.

[Wally Brown]

Why of all people?

[Hanley Stafford]

He hates me. He'll wring my neck. Snooks, you've got to protect me.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

I gotta protect you?

[Hanley Stafford]

Yes. I'm a great big happy set bird. You're just a runt.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Why don't you protect me?

[Hanley Stafford]

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.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

That ain't a machine gun. Daddy.

[Hanley Stafford]

What is it?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

It's your knees knocking.

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

All right, daddy, Leave it to me.

[Chorus/Ensemble]

Hey, you.

[Wally Brown]

You haven't seen a turkey around here named lancelot higgins?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Lancelot Higgins?

[Chorus/Ensemble]

Yes.

[Wally Brown]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Never heard of him.

[Lionel Barrymore]

Don't give me that.

[Wally Brown]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

You're gonna stuff him, right?

[Hanley Stafford]

And then you know what I'm gonna do?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Uh huh. Why you want to catch. Get the stuffings out of them. Exactly.

[Hanley Stafford]

What was that?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

It's somebody's knees knocking.

[Lionel Barrymore]

Whose knees?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Run or mouth?

[Chorus/Ensemble]

Uhoh.

[Hanley Stafford]

Run.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Daddy. He's on to you.

[Hanley Stafford]

Snooks, stop splashing. Where are we?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

We're in a swimming well.

[Hanley Stafford]

Look over the side and see what's cooking.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

All right. Daddy.

[Hanley Stafford]

What?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

We're cooking.

[Wally Brown]

I knew it.

[Hanley Stafford]

He's spoiling us alive.

[Chorus/Ensemble]

You're gonna taste awful good, Higgins much.

[Hanley Stafford]

You can't do it.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Stock him.

[Dinah Shore]

Daddy, you can't cook us alive.

[Wally Brown]

It's murder.

[Chorus/Ensemble]

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

[Dinah Shore]

Let me out. Let me out.

[Hanley Stafford]

Let me out.

[Lionel Barrymore]

It's you.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Who'd you think it was?

[Hanley Stafford]

Oh, you're not a turkey, are you?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

No, I'm snook.

[Hanley Stafford]

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

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Me?

[Hanley Stafford]

Yes. Come here and let. Let me kiss you.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Don't you feel well, dad?

[Hanley Stafford]

Never felt better. Snooks 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.

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

Mommy's already thought of something.

[Hanley Stafford]

Oh, she has? How do you know?

[Lancelot Higgins (Snooks)]

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

[Wally Brown]

Now I'm really cooked.

[Lionel Barrymore]

Thank you, Fanny Bryce, 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.

[Wally Brown]

Thanks for the Yanks thanks for Russia's.

[Chorus/Ensemble]

Giant guns and for all the other sons of freedom thanks for the Yanks.

[Wally Brown]

And for China and the Dutch and.

[Chorus/Ensemble]

For all who's done so much for freedom For Canada, for England, Australia and New Zealand for fighting French and millions more along the South Pacific shore they.

[Lionel Barrymore]

Will keep their Navy plan a free.

[Chorus/Ensemble]

Land We've got plenty to be thankful for.

[Dinah Shore]

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

[Chorus/Ensemble]

For the.

[Dinah Shore]

Men who bear the title of the United States Mar. And for those men who shout Anchored away.

[Chorus/Ensemble]

And for each project sail as they hit the derail and will cape on for rolling along.

[Dinah Shore]

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

[Chorus/Ensemble]

That this is true Nothing about the Army Air Corps. We got plenty to be thankful for.

[Dinah Shore]

How could anybody ask for more? My needs are small I buy them all Ask for five and ten cents yes, I've got plenty to be thankful for.

[Lionel Barrymore]

This is Lionel Barrymore, fellas, winding up this Thanksgiving 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 sauce. 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 real Thanksgiving.

[Hanley Stafford]

Sam.

[Wally Brown]

This is the armed forces radio service.