Original souvenir program from the Vaudeville for Victory benefit held at the Music Box Theatre, Hollywood, on January 22, 1942, complete with two original loge seat tickets (AA 107 & AA 108). This wartime production was staged to raise money for the Buy a Bomber Fund, bringing together some of the biggest stars of stage and screen to support America’s entry into World War II.

The illustrated program (approx. 9” x 12”) features striking cover art of a B-17 Flying Fortress in flight and includes cast photos, credits, and a full program listing. Among the stars featured and pictured are:

• Cary Grant

• Myrna Loy

• Rosalind Russell

• Charles Boyer

• Red Skelton

• Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy

• Bert Lahr (the Cowardly Lion, Wizard of Oz)

• Chester Morris

• Reginald Gardiner

• Nicholas Brothers (legendary African American dance duo)

• Plus many more Hollywood names contributing to the war effort.

Condition:
Program shows light toning and handling wear, with some surface residue on the back cover from past mounting/storage. Interior pages remain bright and clean with vivid blue and black photo printing. The two original tickets are included, both showing light toning and adhesive residue on versos. Overall very well-preserved for an ephemeral WWII-era piece.

Historical Significance:
This event was part of Hollywood’s early response to America’s entry into WWII, staged just weeks after Pearl Harbor (Dec. 1941). The Vaudeville for Victory performance combined star power with patriotism, directly funding aircraft production for the war. Surviving original programs, especially with accompanying tickets, are scarce pieces of WWII home front and entertainment history.