By Kathy Kovach
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| Screen image from the movie Hollywood Canteen |
Her patriotism.
Throughout the two world wars—from The Little American (July 1917) to The Fighting Sullivans (February 1944)—movies brought unbearable heartache and joyous triumphs into theaters.
Hollywood’s dedication to the troops didn’t stop when the director yelled, “That’s a wrap.” Actors, actresses, and many more in the film industry became dedicated to giving back. Whether through entertaining the troops overseas or selling war bonds, Hollywood loved her country.
One such commitment came in the form of the Hollywood Canteen, an unrelated offshoot of the Stage Door Canteen, founded by the American Theater Wing and located in New York. The west-coast variety was the brainchild of actor John Garfield after his visit to the New York site. Ineligible for active duty due to a heart condition, he felt this was a way he could serve. He ran the idea by actress Bette Davis, and the pair created a place where enlisted men and women could enjoy themselves and relax.
After the grand opening on Saturday, October 3, 1942, entertainers, as well as those behind the scenes, volunteered their time to serve anyone in uniform, which was the only criteria for entrance. They waited tables, washed dishes, and became dance partners for the thousands who took advantage of the free service.
Bette Davis handed out cigarettes while Marlena Dietrich and Hedy Lamar gladly took over dish duty. Roy Rogers brought his horse Trigger on the stage and performed tricks. Teenager Shirley Temple tended bar! Not to worry, though. Absolutely no alcohol was served. In truth, if any alcohol was found on anyone, volunteers and guests alike, they would be turned over to the Los Angeles Police Department immediately. As a side note: Temple hated the non-alcoholic drink named after her. She claimed it to be a “saccharine sweet, icky drink”, and she had nothing to do with its creation. As a side to the side note: I had a Shirley Temple once when I was seven and enjoyed it immensely.
The Canteen was originally a livery stable. The makeover created a large 2000 guest capacity venue with a western theme. The sign was made of rope lettering, and wagon wheels with retrofitted kerosene lanterns became chandeliers. Celebrities donated decorations, and Cary Grant gave them a piano.
On the first anniversary of its grand opening, a Wall of Honor was dedicated to pictures of actors who served in the military, including Clark Gable and Jimmy Stewart.
Throughout the two world wars—from The Little American (July 1917) to The Fighting Sullivans (February 1944)—movies brought unbearable heartache and joyous triumphs into theaters.
Hollywood’s dedication to the troops didn’t stop when the director yelled, “That’s a wrap.” Actors, actresses, and many more in the film industry became dedicated to giving back. Whether through entertaining the troops overseas or selling war bonds, Hollywood loved her country.
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| “Marine Dance” Actress Linda Darnell with star-struck marine, 1944. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 |
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| Screen image from the movie Hollywood Canteen |
The Canteen was originally a livery stable. The makeover created a large 2000 guest capacity venue with a western theme. The sign was made of rope lettering, and wagon wheels with retrofitted kerosene lanterns became chandeliers. Celebrities donated decorations, and Cary Grant gave them a piano.
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| Lt. Gen. Valin, Chief of Staff, French Air Force, awards the Croix De Guerre with Palm to Col. Jimmy Stewart for exceptional services in the liberation of France. U.S. Air Force photo |
“Through these portals pass the most beautiful uniforms in the world” –Sign over the entrance to the Hollywood Canteen
Bette Davis was adamant that anyone in uniform, U.S. or allied forces, regardless of race, were allowed in. As a result, she was awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, the highest civilian award, in 1980.
As mentioned above, admission was free. In fact, everything was free, the food, drink, and entertainment. The Hollywood Canteen became so popular that a one-hour limit had to be set in place to accommodate the long lines waiting outside. Many of the guests were far from home, either training in California or preparing to be shipped overseas. Most were young, lonely, and probably scared. But the Canteen provided relief from the uncertainties of war.
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| Marlena Dietrich and Rita Hayward, 1942 Wikimedia Commons |
In regards to opening night: “It seemed thousands of men entered the canteen that night. I had to crawl through a window to get inside.” – Bette Davis
Millionth Man Sgt. Carl Bell with Lana Turner, Deanna Durbin, and Marlena Dietrich
After almost a year, on September 15, 1943, the millionth man walked through the doors. Sgt. Carl Bell received the prestigious honor as he was escorted in by German-star-turned-American-patriot Marlena Dietrich and was bestowed a kiss from the paragon of pinup girls Betty Grable.
During the three years the Hollywood Canteen was open, it operated Monday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight and on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Throughout the course of a night, 300 Hollywood professionals—more than 3000 in the entire life of the canteen—volunteered in every capacity. This was spread out over two shifts.
Both the Stage Door Canteen and the Hollywood Canteen were immortalized in film. The prior released in 1943 and the latter in 1944. Not surprisingly, the movie Hollywood Canteen is billed to have starred both Bette Davis and John Garfield, the founders. In truth, a plethora of stars, many of them having taken part in the real canteen, are in the movie, some in cameos, others performing their acts. Despite the weak plot (the film concentrated more on the star power than the story line), it was nominated for three Oscars and was granted three wins from the Photoplay Awards. In the tradition of its namesake, the film earmarked 40% of ticket sales to charities benefitting U.S. servicemen. To get a taste, here is the short video, The Hollywood Canteen: The Story Behind The Movie
Alas, all good things must come to an end. The Hollywood Canteen served its last customers a delicious Thanksgiving dinner on November 22, 1945 with Bob Hope and Jack Benny headlining the entertainment. At the end, the $500K surplus—mostly from the profits of two films, Thank Your Lucky Stars, 1943, and Hollywood Canteen, 1944—were donated to veterans’ relief funds. The former livery stable turned patriotic venue was eventually leveled and made into a parking lot, but the memories linger like dry-ice induced fog and Hollywood dreams.
During the three years the Hollywood Canteen was open, it operated Monday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight and on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Throughout the course of a night, 300 Hollywood professionals—more than 3000 in the entire life of the canteen—volunteered in every capacity. This was spread out over two shifts.
Both the Stage Door Canteen and the Hollywood Canteen were immortalized in film. The prior released in 1943 and the latter in 1944. Not surprisingly, the movie Hollywood Canteen is billed to have starred both Bette Davis and John Garfield, the founders. In truth, a plethora of stars, many of them having taken part in the real canteen, are in the movie, some in cameos, others performing their acts. Despite the weak plot (the film concentrated more on the star power than the story line), it was nominated for three Oscars and was granted three wins from the Photoplay Awards. In the tradition of its namesake, the film earmarked 40% of ticket sales to charities benefitting U.S. servicemen. To get a taste, here is the short video, The Hollywood Canteen: The Story Behind The Movie
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| Jack Benny and Bob Hope CC BY 2.0 |
"There are few accomplishments in my life that I am sincerely proud of. The Hollywood Canteen is one of them." – Bette Davis, 1987
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Thank you for posting! I loved this!
ReplyDeleteI loved this so much! I haven't seen them lately but I always loved seeing the movies about the Hollywood Canteen. Thanks for sharing!
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