Hollywood Canteen (1944)

Two soldiers on leave spend three nights at a club offering free of charge food, dancing, and entertainment for servicemen on their way overseas. Club founders Bette Davis and John Garfield give talks on the history of the place.

Director:

Delmer Daves

Writer:

Delmer Daves (original screen play)

Stars:

Bette Davis, John Garfield, The Andrews Sisters

Nominated for 3 Oscars.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
The Andrews Sisters	...	The Andrews Sisters (as Andrews Sisters)
Jack Benny	...	Jack Benny
Joe E. Brown	...	Joe E. Brown
Eddie Cantor	...	Eddie Cantor
Kitty Carlisle	...	Kitty Carlisle
Jack Carson	...	Jack Carson
Dane Clark	...	Sgt. Nowland
Joan Crawford	...	Joan Crawford
Helmut Dantine	...	Helmut Dantine
Bette Davis	...	Bette Davis
Faye Emerson	...	Faye Emerson
Victor Francen	...	Victor Francen
John Garfield	...	John Garfield
Sydney Greenstreet	...	Sydney Greenstreet
Alan Hale	...	Alan Hale

Storyline

Two soldiers on sick leave spend three nights at the Hollywood Canteen before going back to active duty. With a little friendly help from John Garfield, Slim gets to kiss Joan Leslie, whom he has been dreaming about while in the Pacific. He meets her later at the Farmer's Market. On the third night, Slim is the millionth man into the Canteen, earning him a date with Joan. Slim thinks he's been duped when she doesn't show up at his train. Slim's buddy Sergant dances with Joan Crawford. Canteen President Bette Davis praises the canteen and the war effort. Virtually everyone Warners could spare entertains.

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Plot Keywords:

1940s | hollywood canteen | world war two | bette davis | psychotronic film | 

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Taglines:

WARNERS now bring you a filmful of Entertainment Wonders! (print ad - Lubbock Avalanche Journal - Lindsey Theatre -Lubbock, Texas - March 11, 1945)

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

The striped dress worn here by Janis Page when she dances with Dane Clark was later seen on Doris Day in 1949's It's a Great Feeling, during the scene where Day masquerades as a French starlet newly signed by Warner Brothers.

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Goofs

When "Slim" is sightseeing in Hollywood at the beginning of the film his infantry division patch (40th Div) is shown on his left shoulder. However, in one scene (right after the swimming pool), the patch is displayed on his right shoulder.

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Quotes

[after unintentionally scaring away a marine sergeant]
Peter Lorre: [sadly] All I wanted to ask him is to join me in a cigarette.
Sydney Greenstreet: He didn't trust us, Peter.
Peter Lorre: No... and we are such gentle people.
Sydney Greenstreet: Are we?
Peter Lorre: [Backs away, frightened]

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits are displayed rising up over "Hollywood Canteen" sign.

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Connections

References Mr. Skeffington (1944)

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Soundtracks

Ballet in Jive
(1944) (uncredited)
Music by Ray Heindorf
Danced by Joan McCracken and ensemble

User Reviews

Another One For The Boys In Uniform

I've got a weak spot when it comes to these all star extravaganzas which can never be again. With the old Hollywood studio system gone there's no place where all this talent can gather under one roof for the same picture. Put a film like this today it would have the budget of a second world country.

The plots of these things are invariably silly, in this one it's GI Robert Hutton becoming the one millionth serviceman to enter the Hollywood Canteen and he gets an all expense weekend there with the girl of his dreams, Warner Brothers star Joan Leslie. That was part of the mythology of the day, if the film were done at Columbia Rita Hayworth might have been the object of Hutton's desires. That one I can believe a little more.

The Hollywood Canteen in real life was the inspiration and personal project of Bette Davis and John Garfield and they preside over the film and it's many guest stars, mostly from the Warner Brothers lot.

One exception to the rule was Roy Rogers who came over from Republic Pictures and brought the Sons of the Pioneers with him. I wonder what Herbert J. Yates got out of Jack Warner for Rogers's services? Anyway Roy gets to introduce the Cole Porter classic Don't Fence Me In in this film.

Later on the Andrews Sisters sing it and they had a big hit record with Don't Fence Me In with Decca though they sang it with a well known crooner from that other studio Paramount for Decca Records.

Joan Crawford made her first appearance at Warner Brothers in this film after leaving MGM. She dances with GI Dane Clark who after seeing combat in the Pacific faints at the realization he's dancing with JOAN CRAWFORD. Those were the days.

Still I love these films so.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 December 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hollywood Canteen

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1