Hollywood Canteen Tribute

The Hollywood Canteen operated at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood, California between October 3, 1942 and November 22, 1945 (Thanksgiving Day) as a club offering food, dancing and entertainment for servicemen, usually on their way overseas. Even though the majority of visitors were U.S servicemen, the Canteen was open to servicemen of allied countries as well as women in all branches of service. The serviceman's ticket for admission was his uniform and everything at the Canteen was free of charge.
The driving forces behind its creation were Bette Davis and John Garfield, along with Jules Stein, President of Music Corporation of America, who headed up the finance committee. Bette Davis devoted an enormous amount of time and energy to the project and served as its president. The various guilds and unions of the entertainment industry donated the labor and money for the building renovations. The Canteen was operated and staffed completely by volunteers from the entertainment industry. By the time the Canteen opened its doors, over 3000 stars, players, directors, producers, grips, dancers, musicians, singers, writers, technicians, wardrobe attendants, hair stylists, agents, stand-ins, publicists, secretaries, and allied craftsmen of radio and screen had registered as volunteers.
Glamorous stars volunteered to wait on tables, cook in the kitchen and clean up. On September 15, 1943 the one millionth guest walked through the door of the Hollywood Canteen. The lucky soldier, Sgt. Carl Bell, received a kiss from Betty Grable.
A Hall of Honor at the Hollywood Canteen had a wall of photos which honored the film actors who served in the military.
In 1944, Warner Bros. made a star-studded film about the Hollywood Canteen. At the time the Canteen closed its doors on Thanksgiving day 1945, it had been host to almost three million servicemen.

Volunteers in the video include: Bette Davis, John Garfield, Andrews Sisters, Ann Sheridan, Hedda Hopper, Basil Rathbone, Reginald Gardner, Betty Hutton, Carman Amaya Jack Benny, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Carole Landis, Eddie Cantor, Cary Grant, Danny Kaye, Dorothy Lamour, Greer Garson, Desi Arnaz, Bob Hope, Hedy Lamarr, Dinah Shore, Olivia de Havilland, Irene Dunne, Maria Montez, Kate Smith, Lana Turner, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Lena Horne, Rosalind Russell, Shirley Temple, Leslie Brooks, Janet Blair, Marlene Dietrich, Mel Blanc, Claudette Colbert, Martha Tilton, Red Skelton, Robert Benchley, Charles Butterworth, Sons of the Pioneers, & Vice President Henry Wallace

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• hollywood
• canteen

[Q8117]

What is the title of this Andrews Sisters song? Thanks for the info and for sharing the video.

[GoldenEraDame]

"(I'm Getting) Corns for My Country"...they sang it in the movie "Holywood Canteen" in 1944

[billycassion]

@GoldenEraDame were did you get the photo of Greer Garson?? she looks very beautyfull

[GoldenEraDame]

@billycassion i got all of my photos from the Hollywood Canteen myspace page...check it out for mopr great pictures

[saraismyname]

Wonderful! So many great photos AND the Andrews Sisters, what could be better ;)

[GoldenEraDame]

you just can't have a Hollywood Canteen tribute without the Andrews Sisters, now can you :)

[et7waage1]

What I would give to travel back in time to go to the Hollywood Canteen! Thanks so much for making this video!

[dukece]

Great Tribute !



[billycassion]

@billycassion thank you very much i will :)

[1976SaraM]

Classic. I love seeing all of those classic stars. Man those were the days. Good times. :)

[MarleneXtreme]

Wonderful pictures !

Great music !

Thanks for sharing !

[MicheleBell1]

This PERFECT nostalgia ... You brought a special GIFT to all our servicemen back to life!!!