Sorry to say, we were hoping to have this up yesterday. Unfortunately, our sound hosting site is currently experiencing a problem with sharing files. We didn't want to wait any longer, and besides, we should be thanking our veterans every day! So while this is just a tad late, we wish all United States veterans a very Happy Veterans' Day weekend! And we THANK YOU for your service in the U.S. military, providing us with your protection so that we may enjoy our freedom.
Operation Entertainment was a program produced by Chuck Barris and Bill Carruthers for ABC that ran in 1968. Actors, musicians, and other celebrities traveled across the country and around the world to entertain U.S. troops serving in the military. They entertainers performed on location at Navy, Army, and Air Force bases. In addition to Bob Crane, other hosts included Rich Little, George Carlin, Dick Cavett, Dean Jones, Dick Shawn, Tim Conway, Jimmy Dean, Roger Miller, Norm Crosby, Ed Ames, Flip Wilson, Don Rickles, Jim Lange, Phil Harris, and Dale Robertson. Among the entertainers were Vikki Carr, Donna Jean Young, Roy Clark, Louis Armstrong, Richard Pryor, Barbara McNair, Allen & Rossi, Minnie Pearl, Paul Lynde, Florence Henderson, Martha and the Vandellas, Shelley Berman, the Righteous Brothers, the Lennon Sisters, Arethra Franklin, Ray Charles and the Rayettes, Patti Page, Pat Buttram, Rodney Dangerfield, Kenny Rogers, Larry Storch, Stephanie Powers, and many more.
Bob Crane was the host of the November 1, 1968, episode, which was performed and recorded for servicemen and women stationed at Elgin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Performers included Teddy Neeley and his Band, comedian Pat Paulsen, singer Fran Jeffries, and the Lennon Sisters, among others. We have for you here the opening of that program, with Bob performing an opening stand-up comedy routine.
If you are a veteran who served in the U.S. military and would like the entire November 1, 1968, audio recording of Operation Entertainment, drop us an email (see sidebar on right), and we'll send it to you for free on CD. That is our special thanks to you.
Operation Entertainment - November 1, 1968
Eglin Air Force Base, Fort Walton Beach, Florida
ABC-TV / Bob Crane, Host