Guides: U.S. Army "Blueprint Specials" and Other Soldier Shows: Soldier Shows

"At Ease" volumes published by USO-Camp Shows, Inc.

The earliest Soldier Shows were edited and compiled by the Writers and Material Committee of Camp Shows, Inc. in a series called "At Ease" and were published by USO-Camp Shows, Inc. to be distributed exclusively to military and naval establishments and performed only by Armed Forces personnel. Some of the material was previously published elsewhere and some of it was specially written for these volumes.

"At Ease," Volume I: Comedy Sketches by The Writers and Material Committee of Camp Shows, Inc. (edited and compiled by)
Call Number: W 109.102:AT 1/V.1 x
Publication Date: 1942
Published by USO-Camp Shows, Inc. "For use exclusively in military and naval establishments by personnel of the Armed Services of the United States."
"At Ease," Volume II: Minstrel Shows with Music by The Writers and Material Committee of Camp Shows, Inc. (edited and compiled by)
Call Number: W 109.102:AT 1/v.2 x
Publication Date: 1942
This book contains two complete minstrel shows, including a piano part. Each show runs about an hour and forty minutes, but can be lengthened with added encores and specialties or shortened by eliminating any numbers. Instructions are included for staging, including a description of the minstrel show "formula" and detailed instructions on creating and applying blackface makeup. Published by USO-Camp Shows, Inc. "For use exclusively in military and naval establishments by personnel of the Armed Services of the United States."
"At Ease," Volume III: Music and Lyrics for Musical Comedies and Revues by The Writers and Material Committee of Camp Shows, Inc. (edited and compiled by)
Publication Date: 1942
Published by USO-Camp Shows, Inc. "For use exclusively in military and naval establishments by personnel of the Armed Services of the United States."
"At Ease," Volume IV: Musical Opening Choruses, Finales and Production Numbers by The Writers and Material Committee of Camp Shows, Inc. (edited and compiled by)
Call Number: W 109.102:AT 1/V.4
Publication Date: 1943
Published by USO-Camp Shows, Inc. "For use exclusively in military and naval establishments by personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States."
"Whether one is producing a revue, musical comedy, or vaudeville show, an an opening chorus, a finale, and musical numbers will help the presentation of the entire entertainment. This book takes a modular approach, providing interchangeable mix and match material—some new, some previously published—to enhance any soldier show production."

Soldier Shows published by The Infantry Journal, Inc.

Volume VI: Comedy Acts and Minstrel Show Material by Mort Lewis
Call Number: W 109.102:AT 1/v.6 x
Publication Date: 1944
Several short sketches that can be incorporated into minstrel shows or other performances. Almost all these acts feature two characters named January and Molasses. Published by The Infantry Journal, Inc. "For use exclusively in military and naval establishments by personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States."
Volume VII (Comedy Sketch Book No. 1): Revue Sketches, Vaudeville Comedy Acts by Writers' War Board. Committee on Scripts for Soldier and Sailor Shows (preparer)
Publication Date: 1943
Published by The Infantry Journal, Inc. Contents: A beootiful evening — At the tee — Banzai — Between the halves — Bicycles — Chocolate cookies — Dear Irma — Drama interlude — Five Lew Lehr Radio sketches — In the Ozarks — Incident at Ebbets Field — Is this the army, Mr. Jones? [by John O'Hara] — Liar bit — Man of mystery — O'Malley of the mounted — Riddle a bit — Take a number from one to ten—million — The ladies — The last one — Washington, D.C.
Volume VIII: "Take It or Leave It": A Humorous Quiz Book by Material and Writers Committee of USO-Camp Shows, Inc.
Call Number: W 109.102:AT 1/v.8 x
Publication Date: 1943
This book consists of a series of short quizzes on various topics, patterned after the popular "Take It Or Leave It" radio show, which later evolved into "The $64 Question" and eventually "The $64,000 Question." The gags were written by Alan Lipscott, David Schwartz, and Lester Lewis. Questions were supplied by the copyright owners of the "Take It Or Leave It" radio show. Published by The Infantry Journal, Inc. "For use exclusively in military and naval establishments by personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States."
Volume IX (Comedy Sketch Book No. 2): Comedy Scenes by Committee on Scripts for Soldier and Sailor Shows of the Writers' War Board (prepared by)
Publication Date: 1943
Published by Infantry Journal, Inc. Distributed by the Special Service Division, A.S.F. "For use exclusively in military and naval establishments by the personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States." Contents: Abbott & Costello scripts — Fred Allen scripts — Burns & Allen script — Charlie McCarthy scripts — Fibber McGee & Molly scripts.
Volume X: Soldier Shows Guide by U.S. War Department, Army Service Force, Special Service Division (compiled and edited by)
Call Number: W 109.102:AT 1/V.10 x
Publication Date: 1943
This guide provides instructions on how to organize the production of a soldier show; how to obtain published scripts or write a new script; how to rehearse the show and build sets, light the show, make costumes, and apply make up. Published by The Infantry Journal, Inc. "For use exclusively in military and naval establishments by personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States."
Volume XI: The Army Play by Play: Five Prize-Winning One-Act Plays
Publication Date: 1943
Published by The Infantry Journal, Inc. "For use exclusively in military and naval establishments by personnel of the armed forces of the United States."
"Winners in a contest sponsored by the Special service branch, Second service command and John Golden."
Contents: Where'ere we go, by J.B. O'Dea. — First cousins, by Kurt Kasznar. — Button your lip, by Irving Neiman.— Mail call, by Ralph Nelson. — Pack up your troubles, by A.D. Geto.
The Army Play by Play was also published commercially by Random House.

"At Ease" volumes published by Street & Smith Publications

These pocket-size, oblong format installments in the "At Ease" series were prepared and distributed by the Special Services Division, Army Service Forces. They were printed by Street & Smith Publication, Inc., a publisher known for inexpensive pulp fiction paperbacks and magazines, as well as comic books.

"At Ease" Volume XIII: Time Out, a Book of Informal Games by Mimi Dworsky (personal author), U.S. Department of War, Army Service Forces, Special Services Division (issuing agency)
Call Number: W 109.102:AT 1/V.13
Publication Date: 1944
This is a special 120-page booklet made and distributed by the WWII Special Services division for soldiers to read and for time out entertainment.
"At Ease" Volume XV: G.I. Prize-Winning Blackouts by Cpl. Arnold M. Auerbach (personal author); U.S. Department of War, Army Service Forces, Special Services Division (issuing agency)
Call Number: W 109.102:AT 1/v. 15
Publication Date: 1944
Published by Street & Smith Publications, Inc. Arnold Auerbach won a $100 war bond as first prize in a contest conducted worldwide by the Writers' War Board for his Strictly GI. Auerbach's and all the other winning blackouts are included in this volume.
"At Ease" Volume XVI: G.I. Revues: 10 Complete Package Shows by U.S. Department of War, Army Service Forces, Special Services Division (issuing agency)
Call Number: W 109.102:AT 1/v. 16
Publication Date: 1944
This pocket-sized book contains 9 completely routined GI musical revues containing gags for the MC, crossovers, blackouts, sketches, parodies, community sings, introductions to specialty acts, and other items typically used in GI revues. Suggestions and tips are offered for adapting the material to local needs and preferences. This booklet also includes a script for a longer, more complex show, entitled "GI Daze," which has enough material to last an hour and a half, has a more developed story line, and is intended to be performed with a couple of simple sets and a few props. The booklet includes a short preface by Richard Rodgers. Published by Street & Smith Publications, Inc.
"At Ease" Volume XVII: G.I. One-Act Plays by U.S. Department of War, Army Service Forces, Special Services Division; forward by John Mason Brown
Call Number: W 109.102:AT 1/v.17
Publication Date: 1944
Published by Street & Smith Publications, Inc. Plays in this volume: “The Strange Case of Private Piddle” (a comedy of errors, wherein a GI becomes a hero in spite of himself); "Three Wishes for Fogarty" (a comedy fantasy of a soldier who finds he has the magic touch); "Oh, Momma, It's Joe" (boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl—all over the telephone); "Thumbs Up, Buddy" (what happens when soldiers try to put on a show); “Sally, Irene, and Grandma” (a rowdy farce of three soldiers and three WACs); and "By the People" (a fight drama that takes place in a dressing room). For an account of a 2022 revival of some of these plays, see Devin Klecan, "Soldiers Perform Forgotten One-Act Plays Written During WWII" (Defense Visual Information Distribution Service).
"At Ease" Volume XVIII: Chillers and Thrillers: A Book of Mystery Sketches by Special Services Division, A.S.G. (prepared and distributed by)
Call Number: W 100.102:AT 1/v.18
Publication Date: 1945
Published by Street & Smith Publications, Inc. "For use exclusively in military and naval establishments by personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States."
Contents: The mysterious Mr. Harris; The rise and fall of Rome; The man no one believed; Murder in the afternoon; Murder on the houseboat; The mystery of the horse pistol, each adapted from a radio play by Eugene Wang and Harry Kleiner — The adventure of the blue chip; The adventure of the foul tip; The adventure of the glass ball, each adapted from a radio play by Ellery Queen — The orderly room robbery — The shadow that walked, adapted from a radio play by Eugene Wang and Harry Kleiner.
"At Ease," Volume XIX: M.C. Jackpot by Special Services Division, A.S.F.; forward by Ole Olson and Chic Johnson
Publication Date: 1945
Published by Street & Smith Publications, Inc.
"At Ease," Volume XX: Skits and Bits by U.S. Army Service Forces, Special Service Division (prepared by))
Call Number: W 109.102:AT 1/v.20 x
Publication Date: 1945
This booklet contains several extremely brief blackout scenes called "bits," each requiring only two or three actors, followed by a few more developed "skits." Includes a forward by Bob Hope. Published by Street & Smith Publications.

Soldier Shows Folios

These Soldier Shows were prepared by the Special Services Division, ASF (Entertainment Section) and published by the Government Printing Office. They have a format very similar to the "Blueprint Specials," featuring a survey form to gauge the success and usefulness of the material; a typed script; and handwritten musical accompaniments. They sometimes include copyrighted material temporarily released for use by the Armed Forces.

Soldier Shows Folios No. 9–23: Radio and Theatrical Material: Skits, Blackouts, Sketches by U.S. Army Service Forces, Special Services Division (issuing agency)
Call Number: W 109.116:9-23
Soldier Shows Folio No. 24: It's the G.I. State Fair by U.S. Army Service Forces; Special Service Division; Entertainment Section (preparer)
Call Number: D810.E8 S64 no.24
Publication Date: [between 1940 and 1945]
Containing explanations, plans, designs and materials for a G.I. State Fair including booths, exhibits, freaks, variety show."
Soldier Shows Folio No. 25: Thanksgiving, Mock Election, Revues, Parodies, Blackouts, Radio Scripts, Crossovers
Soldier Shows Folio No. 28: Broadway Special, featuring New York's Latest Hit "The Hasty Heart" by U.S. Department of War, Army Service Forces, Special Services Division (issuing agency)
Call Number: W 109.116:28
Publication Date: 1945
This soldier show includes two copyrighted works, "The Hasty Heart," by John Patrick, and "Freedom of the Air," by George S. Kaufman. It also contains several public-domain blackouts and sketches and simple musical production numbers with melody line, piano accompaniment, and lyrics.
Soldier Shows Folio No. 31: Sketches, Crossovers, Quizzes, Revues, Blackouts, Parodies: 26-Week Entertainment Program Guide by U.S. War Department. Army Service Forces. Special Service Division.
Call Number: W 1.43: 28-15 C
Publication Date: 1945
"The program has been written for a twenty-six week period but may be used in part as the material is needed. It is broken into full evening entertainment programs and includes Revues, Variety Shows, Sketches, Blackouts, Crossovers, Quizzes and Radio Shows as well as many other ideas on the presentation of entertainment programs" Includes illustrations, music, and an index.

Hospital Entertainment Guides

These soldier shows contain theatrical entertainment material (typically with a medical theme) to be presented by hospital patients to their fellow patients.

Hospital Entertainment Guide No. 1: Soldier Shows: Blackouts, Sketches, Quizzes, Parodies, and Games by U.S. Army Service Forces, Special Services Division, Entertainment Section (issuing agency)
Call Number: W 109.115:1
Publication Date: 1944
"The material contained in these scripts may be used for stage presentation in Soldier Shows within military areas by members of the armed forces and civilians engaged in the war effort, before audiences of such personnel but not for profit or charge."
Hospital Entertainment Guide No. 2: Soldier Shows: Games, Puzzles, Quizzes by U.S. Army Service Forces, Special Services Division, Entertainment Section (issuing agency)
Call Number: W 109.115:2
Publication Date: 1945
"The material contained in these scripts may be used for stage presentation in Soldier Shows within military areas by members of the armed forces and civilians engaged in the war effort, before audiences of such personnel but not for profit or charge."
Hospital Entertainment Guide No. 3: Soldier Shows: "Bedzapoppin," (A Revue), Games, Quizzes by U.S. Army Service Forces, Special Services Division, Entertainment Section (issuing agency)
Call Number: W 109.115:3
Publication Date: 1945
"The material contained in these scripts may be used for stage presentation in Soldier Shows within military areas by members of the armed forces and civilians engaged in the war effort, before audiences of such personnel but not for profit or charge. It may also be used for special radio broadcasts limited to the above named audience."
Also available online:
Review of Bedzapoppin in McGuire Banner [newsletter of McGuire General Hospital], v.2, no.11, February 8, 1945, p. 2.
Hospital Entertainment Guide No. 4: A Soldier Show Publication by U.S. Army Service Forces, Special Services Division, Entertainment Section (issuing agency)
Call Number: W 109.115:4
Publication Date: 1945
Hospital Entertainment Guide No. 5: Hospital Daze: A Musical Comedy with Words and Music by U.S. Army Service Forces, Special Services Division, Entertainment Section (issuing agency)
Call Number: W 109.115:5
Publication Date: 1945
Part of a Special Services program designed to involve recuperating hospital patients in putting on dramatic performances for hospital audiences. This booklet contains a complete musical with script, instructions for staging, and full score for a small ensemble of trumpet, two saxophones, drums, bass, and piano. The first performances of this work occurred at Tilton General Hospital on August 24, 1944, and at Mason General Hospital on September 20, 1944.

Unnumbered Soldier Shows

Soldier Shows Staging Area and Transport Entertainment Guide: Comprising Blackouts, Sketches, Quizzes, Parodies, and Games by U.S. Department of War, Army Service Forces, Special Services Division (issuing agency); Cpl. Arnold M. Auerbach (personal author)
Call Number: W 109.102:SO 4
Publication Date: 1944
This guide contains a variety of proven comedy sketches, quizzes, parodies, games, etc., to assist the Special Service Officer (particularly one newly appointed) in carrying out a successful entertainment program while at the staging area and when aboard ship. Although there are obstacles to such a program, this guide will help the Special Service Officer evaluate the limitations he will encounter on a troop transport and arrange a satisfying entertainment in spite of those limitations.

U.S. Army "Blueprint Specials" and Other Soldier Shows