The broadcast featured cast members Stella and Luther Adler reciting some of the script from the show, which aimed to pressure the American government to do something to save the European Jews marked for death in the Holocaust.
Billy Rose produced the pageant and served as co-chairman of the national committee alongside Oscar-Award winning screenwriter Ben Hecht, who was stirred to action after being contacted by Jewish activist Peter Bergson, head of the so-called Bergson Boys that waged a desperate and bold public advertising campaign on behalf of European Jewry.
Rose signed on to the WWND project along with Hecht, composer Kurt Weill, and playwright Moss Hart, but unlike the latter two Rose, with Hecht, remained connected to the Bergson Boys after the WWND performances. Their direct and unapologetic approach to the Jewish caused thrilled Rose.
"These direct action boys delight my heart," he wrote Hecht.
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