| Hollywood Canteen | |
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Original theatrical poster |
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| Directed by | Delmer Daves |
| Produced by | Alex Gottlieb |
| Written by | Delmer Daves |
| Starring | Joan Leslie Robert Hutton Dane Clark |
| Music by | Musical Director: Leo F. Forbstein Musical Adaptation: Ray Heindorf |
| Cinematography | Bert Glennon |
| Editing by | Christian Nyby |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | December 15, 1944 |
| Running time | 124 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Hollywood Canteen is a 1944 Warner Bros. film starring Joan Leslie, Robert Hutton, and Dane Clark. The film was written and directed by Delmer Daves, and is notable for featuring many stars (appearing as themselves) in cameo roles. The film received three Academy Award nominations.
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The film's setting is the Hollywood Canteen, a free entertainment club open to servicemen. The Canteen was created as a G.I. morale-booster by movie stars Bette Davis and John Garfield during World War II. Many of those cameoing in the film had previously volunteered to work there or provide entertainment. They include: The Andrews Sisters, Jack Benny, Joe E. Brown, Eddie Cantor, Kitty Carlisle, Jack Carson, Sydney Greenstreet, Alan Hale, Paul Henreid, Joan Leslie, Peter Lorre, Ida Lupino, Roy Rogers (with Trigger), Barbara Stanwyck, Jane Wyman, Jimmy Dorsey and The Golden Gate Quartet.
The East Coast counterpart was the "Stage Door Canteen" also celebrated in an RKO film.
Two soldiers on sick leave spend three nights at the Hollywood Canteen before returning to active duty in the South Pacific. Slim Green (Hutton) is the millionth G.I. to enjoy the Canteen, and consequently wins a date with Joan Leslie. The other G.I., Sergeant Nolan, (Clark) gets to dance with Joan Crawford. Canteen founders Bette Davis and John Garfield give talks on the history of the Canteen. The soldiers enjoy a variety of musical numbers performed by a host of Hollywood stars.
Variety noted, "There isn't a marquee big enough to hold all the names in this one, so how can it miss? Besides, it's basically solid. It has story, cohesion, and heart."
Kate Cameron in The New York Times commented, "It is an elaborate show, but it is presented by author-director Delmar Daves in such a patronizing manner as to make one blush for its complete lack of reserve in singing the praises of Hollywood." [1]
Hollywood Canteen received Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song: "Sweet Dreams Sweetheart", by M. K. Jerome and Ted Koehler; Scoring of a Musical Picture: Ray Heindorf; and Sound Recording: Nathan Levinson.[2]
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