Hollywood Canteen (film)

Infobox Film
name = Hollywood Canteen


image_size =
caption = Original theatrical poster
director = Delmer Daves
producer = Alex Gottlieb
writer = Delmer Daves
narrator =
starring = Joan Leslie
Robert Hutton
Dane Clark
music = Musical Director:
Leo F. Forbstein
Musical Adaptation:
Ray Heindorf
cinematography = Bert Glennon
editing = Christian Nyby
distributor = Warner Bros.
released = flagicon|USA 15 December, 1944
runtime = 124 min.
country = USA
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id = 1:22745
imdb_id = 0036922

"Hollywood Canteen" (1944) is a Warner Bros. feature 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.

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 WWII.

Plot and cast

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.

Reception

"Variety" noted, "There isn't a marque 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." [Quirk, Lawrence J.. "The Films of Joan Crawford". The Citadel Press, 1968.]

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. [ [http://theoscarsite.com/1944.htm All the Oscars: 1944] ]

References

External links

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