Our next film is 1944's "Hollywood Canteen", which features a huge ensemble cast in a movie that serves to entertain as well as support our troops. The film's ensemble cast includes Robert Hutton, Joan Leslie, Dane Clark, Jack Benny, Joe E. Brown, Eddie Cantor, Kitty Carlisle, Jack Carson, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, John Garfield, Sydney Greenstreet, Alan Hale, Paul Henreid, Andrea King, Peter Lorre, Ida Lupino, Irene Manning, Dennis Morgan, Janis Paige, Eleanor Parker, Roy Rogers, S.Z. Sakall, Zachary Scott, Alexis Smith, Barbara Stanwyck, Jane Wyman, Patty Andrews, Laverne Andrews, Maxine Andrews, Betty Brodel, Joseph Szigeti, Trigger, Helmut Dantine, and Dolores Moran.
Our story begins when Cpl. "Slim" Green is on leave in Hollywood looking for somewhere to eat cheaply. A man at a drugstore soda fountain tells him to go to the Hollywood Canteen, where he can eat for free because he is a serviceman. Slim follows his advice.
Right away he's surprised when he sees Joe E. Brown delighting the guys with some entertainment and providing some basic rules of the road at the canteen.
His personal guide to the canteen that night is none other than actress Jane Wyman, and Slim still can't believe it's all really happening.
The disbelief goes further when he walks up to the counter and Barbara Stanwyck is serving coffee, donuts, and sandwiches. Slim tells Stanwyck that he was crazy about her until he became familiar with the films of Joan Leslie. "Can I tell my husband it's all over between us?" jokes Barbara.
Slim is still shocked when he gets to meet Canteen founders Bette Davis and John Garfield. In fact, hearing that he has a crush on Joan Leslie, they've arranged a little surprise for him.
He "wins" a chance to meet and get a kiss from his ideal girl herself: Joan Leslie.
He nervously kisses her and they share a tender moment together.
The entertainment continues at the canteen when Roy Rogers and his sidekick Trigger appear. Trigger does some tricks for the crowd, and Roy sings with his group the Sons of the Pioneers.
The song he does is Cole Porter hit "Don't Fence Me In". Roy later starred in a film by the same name.
Elsewhere at the canteen, formidable actors Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet are ready to scare anyone who's not treating the actress/hostesses right.
And The Andrews Sisters are busy "Getting Corns For My Country" and singing a reprise of "Don't Fence Me In".
Slim's buddy Sgt. Nowland also comes to the canteen. He finds love with a local studio guide who works as a hostess at the canteen. She pretends she's actually an actress. Nowland doesn't care. He's smitten either way.
He also gets the chance to dance with Joan Crawford, though he doesn't realize it. "Did anybody ever tell you you look like Joan Crawford?" he asks. "Well, yes, my husband has," replies Joan.
Slim is in for another surprise when, one night, he is proclaimed the millionth man to enter the canteen. Bette Davis presents him with his prize: gifts from the movie studios, a car and hotel for the weekend, tours of all the major movie studios, and a date with any actress in town that he wishes.
Of course, Slim chooses Joan Leslie. They got out to a nightclub where they run into Eleanor Parker and Helmut Dantine.
The two get closer when Slim sees Joan home that evening. They begin to fall in love with each other.
Joan later asks Slim over for dinner to meet her parents and sister. (Side note: Joan's sister in the film is played by her real life sister Betty Brodel.)
Meanwhile, back at the canteen, classical musician Joseph Szigeti and funnyman Jack Benny get into a little musical war. As Jack's violin creaks along with the music, he asks the audience, "Really, folks, can you tell the difference?"
Later, dancers Rosario and Antonio electrify the audience with their fast paced flamenco dancing.
And songstress Kitty Carlisle sings a special song for Slim in remembrance of him and Joan, "Sweet Dreams, Sweetheart."
Slim has to leave for active duty and nearly misses Joan. She catches up with him at the train station. They pledge their love to each other and vow to get together once he returns from the war. Cast rundown:
Robert Hutton.................................Cpl. Slim Green
Joan Leslie......................................Herself
Dane Clark......................................Sgt. Nowland
Jack Benny......................................Himself
Joe E. Brown...................................Himself
Eddie Cantor....................................Himself
Helmut Dantine.................................Himself
Dolores Moran...................................Herself And that's it for Hollywood Canteen. It's sort of a West Coast version of the 1943 film Stage Door Canteen. There are a ton of laughs and very good entertainment. All the stars donated their time and salaries to the war effort. As always, if you wish to leave a comment, please remember our posting rules.
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