![]() Journal will be cut in New York from October 15 until November 13, a total of more than 12 shows. The four top armed forces radio service shows, Command Performance, Mail Call, Jubilee and G.I. 21, 1944, issue of The Billboard magazine carried a story headlined, "AFRS To Cut 4 Major E.T.s In East 12 Weeks." It reported: ![]() Some of the uniformed men had been drafted, then re-routed back to Hollywood and the "Y&Rmyĭuring at least one interval, however, production shifted to the East Coast. The uniformed staff, representing both army and navy, was supplemented by civilians. Lewis, had been vice president of Young & Rubicam - always known as "Y&R" - the most Hollywood-oriented advertising agency, much top talent was drawn from the agency's productions. Erik Barnouw wrote:īecause its commandant, Colonel Thomas H.A. Many of the behind-the-scenes military people involved in Mail Call and other AFRS programs had jobs similar to those they had had in civilian life. The mission of the new AFRS was to provide American servicemen 'a touch of home' through the broadcast of American news and entertainment." Among the behind-the-scenes people was Meredith Willson (perhaps best known for writing "The Music Man"), who was the first musical director for AFRS. The Encyclopedia of Radio noted: "Los Angeles was selected as the headquarters because of its proximity to the entertainment industry, which quickly gave its overwhelming support. Mail Call and other AFRS programs were produced in Los Angeles, Calif., with the organization's headquarters at 6011 Santa Monica Boulevard, The location provided access to top-flight entertainers, staff and facilities. Lewis added, "To a fellow who has spent months guarding an outpost in the South Seas, Iceland or Africa a cheery greeting from a favorite comedian, a song hit direct from Broadway, or the beating rhythm of a hot band, mean a tie with the home to which he hopes soon to return. Lewis (commander of the Armed Forces Radio Service) wrote in 1944, "The initial production of the Armed Forces Radio Service was 'Mail Call,' a morale-building half hour which brought famed performers to the microphone to sing and gag in the best American manner." The program featured popular entertainers of that day, such as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, and Dinah Shore, performing musical numbers and comedy skits to boost the morale of soldiers stationed far from their homes. Mail Call was a radio program that entertained American soldiers during World War II. television program.OLD TIME RADIO - 1 CD - 73 mp3 - Total Playtime: 35:33:58 Older viewers might compare him to Sergeant Vincent Carter, a character in the Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. His demeanor as host was similar to the character "Gunnery Sergeant Hartman" portrayed by Ermey in the Stanley Kubrick film Full Metal Jacket, though this attitude was shown only towards his viewers and not the military special guests. At times, he would also have a bulldog - usually symbolic of Marines, especially drill instructors - on his show as well.Ĭomic relief was provided as Ermey inflicted DI-style verbal abuse on his viewers or tests the effects of various weapons on watermelons and paint cans, as well as occasional appearances of "Mini-Lee", an action figure styled in Ermey's likeness, often seen berating a luckless G.I. When not on location, Ermey broadcast from a set resembling a military outpost, including a tent, a Jeep, and various other pieces of military gear which changed throughout the series. Ermey often took his viewers on location to military training areas to film demonstrations. military now or in the past, as well as by other armed forces in history. Most episodes were 30 minutes, but from 2007 through the show's end in 2009 some episodes were 60 minutes.ĭuring each episode, Ermey read and answered questions submitted by viewers regarding weapons and equipment used by all branches of the U.S. The show debuted on Augas part of the 'Fighting Fridays' lineup. Lee Ermey, a retired United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant. Mail Call was a television program that appeared on the History Channel and hosted by R.
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