jacobs-greenwood
If you are a fan of the movie stars of the early 40's, this film is a real treat. Though the plot is real thin, the opportunity to see some of your favorite stars in a humble, and contrived, environment is great.The story, which revolves around the titled nightclub - purportedly a refuge for soldiers on leave during World War II, is about a soldier (played by Robert Hutton) who gets to meet, and be kissed by, his favorite starlit, Joan Leslie, at the establishment. Through a comic circumstance, he is later the 1,000,000 soldier to walk through its doors such that he gets a dream date with the starlit of his choosing (Leslie again). His buddy and fellow soldier (Dane Clark) also gets to meet, and then date, someone who pretends to be an actress (Janis Page), but that actually just works at a studio.During the course of this 2+ hour "story", several actors and actresses are seen as guest waiters, waitresses, and/or bartenders as well as performers of acts at the Canteen, doing little bits to entertain the soldiers and/or the moviegoer. John Garfield and Bette Davis, who evidently opened the facility, serve as its main host and hostess, respectively. Ida Lupino plays herself, and someone who soldier Clark tries to impress with his broken French, before he realizes she speaks it fluently. Joan Crawford, also playing herself, is someone Clark dances with before he asks her if anyone has told her that she looks just like ..., to which she responds "yes, my husband". Barbara Stanwyck plays a bartender the soldiers recognize. Jack Carson pokes fun at himself as one of the waiters who introduces the fellas around.Eleanor Parker is someone that Hutton and Leslie run into on their date as she exits another nightclub. S. Z. Sakall is the waiter that lets everyone pinch his cheeks. Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet play two nefarious characters found in the club. The acts include Jimmy Dorsey's band, comedian Eddie Cantor, the Andrews Sisters, Roy Rogers with Trigger, Jack Benny with violin in a duel of sorts with maestro violinist Joseph Szigeti, and Dennis Morgan performing (singing), among others.The film was directed and written by Delmer Daves; it received Oscar nominations for original song "Sweet Dreams Sweetheart", Score, and Sound. Other than those mentioned above, Alexis Smith, Joe E. Brown, Kitty Carlisle, Alan Hale, Paul Heinreid as a dishwasher, Andrea King, and dozens of others, credited or uncredited also appear. It follows another similarly written "story" and film by Daves, Stage Door Canteen (1943), set in New York City.
wes-connors
Robert Hutton is a World War II soldier who dreams of meeting actress Joan Leslie. In Hollywoodland, dreams come true - so, in a trip to the "Hollywood Canteen" (hosted by Bette Davis and John Garfield), Mr. Hutton meets Ms. Leslie. He kisses her. Later, he dates her (as he is the one millionth soldier to visit the Canteen). Mr. Hutton's pal Dane Clark is around to take up some of the two hour running time. Many Warner Bros. studio stars appear. Some may not be as recognizable today as the were in 1944. The main reason to watch "Hollywood Canteen" is for a dose of Hollywood-style music, circa 1944 - hits like "Don't Fence Me In" and "Sweet Dreams Sweetheart" take you to dreamland. ***** Hollywood Canteen (12/15/44) Delmer Daves ~ Robert Hutton, Joan Leslie, Dane Clark
billsav57
I saw this after seeing "Stage Door Canteen," and while this film, for obvious reasons, seems to have more star-power in it as far as traditional Hollywood goes, I found "Stage Door" more compelling, both in the acting of the principal characters and the touching nature of the story. I also thought the actual set looked more realistic on "Stage Door." This one looked more contrived. Finally, I found the Roy Rogers bit with Trigger a little bit of a reach. That was a little too "Hollywood." And they really dragged out "Don't Fence Me In." Still, this is worth seeing for all the stars who are in it. These films are worth their weight for that reason alone.
