Hollywood Canteen (film)
| Hollywood Canteen | |
|---|---|
 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) |
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| Running time | 124 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $4.2 million (US/ Canada rentals) [1] |
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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[edit] Plot and cast
Two soldiers on 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.
[edit] Historical note
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, Joan Crawford, Faye Emerson, Sydney Greenstreet, Alan Hale, Sr., Paul Henreid, Joan Leslie, Peter Lorre, Ida Lupino, Dorothy Malone, Dennis Morgan, Janis Paige, Eleanor Parker, Roy Rogers (with Trigger), S.Z. Sakall, Zachary Scott, Alexis Smith, 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.
[edit] Reception
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." [2]
[edit] Awards and nominations
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.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ "All-Time Top Grossers", Variety, 8 January 1964 p 69
- ^ Quirk, Lawrence J.. The Films of Joan Crawford. The Citadel Press, 1968.
- ^ "The 17th Academy Awards (1945) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 2011-08-14.
[edit] See also
- This Is the Army
- Star Spangled Rhythm
- Private Buckaroo
- Follow the Boys
- Stage Door Canteen
- Thank Your Lucky Stars
- Thousands Cheer
[edit] External links
- Hollywood Canteen at the TCM Movie Database
- Hollywood Canteen at AllRovi
- Hollywood Canteen at the Internet Movie Database
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