Hollywood Canteen (1944)

Director:

Delmer Daves

Writer:

Delmer Daves (writer)

Release Date:

15 December 1944 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

62 Stars in Warners' Biggest Ever!

Plot:

Two soldiers on sick leave spend three nights at the Hollywood Canteen before going back to active duty...

Plot Keywords:

Hollywood | Soldier | Kiss | Hollywoodland | Sound Stage

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars.

Cast

The Andrews Sisters	...	Themselves (as Andrews Sisters)
Jack Benny	...	Himself
Joe E. Brown	...	Himself
Eddie Cantor	...	Himself
Kitty Carlisle	...	Herself
Jack Carson	...	Himself
Dane Clark	...	Sergeant Nowland
Joan Crawford	...	Herself
Helmut Dantine	...	Himself
Bette Davis	...	Herself
Faye Emerson	...	Herself
Victor Francen	...	Himself
John Garfield	...	Himself
Sydney Greenstreet	...	Himself
Alan Hale	...	Himself

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Ann Sheridan was supposed to have the female lead in this movie. However, Sheridan declined the role feeling the script was too unrealistic.

Goofs:

Continuity: When "Slim" is sightseeing in Hollywood at the beginning of the film his infantry division patch (40th Div) is shown on his left shoulder. However, in one scene (right after the swimming pool), the patch is displayed on his right shoulder.

Quotes:

[after unintentionally scaring away a marine sergeant]
Peter Lorre: [sadly] All I wanted to ask him is to join me in a cigarette!
Sydney Greenstreet: He didn't trust us, Peter.
Peter Lorre: No... and we are such gentle people!
Sydney Greenstreet: ...Are we?
Peter Lorre: [Backs away, frightened]

Movie Connections:

Featured in Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

Soundtrack:

Die Biene (The Bee)

Worth watching for "The General Jumped At Dawn"!

This movie in and of itself is only a curio piece, During the war (WWII), there was a Hollywood Canteen staffed by celebrities for military personnel and this film grew out of that effort. What is worth watching are the musical numbers, particularly one fairly early in the movie, called, "The General Jumped at Dawn" by a group called, "The Golden Gate Quartet". They're excellent and this is the only place I've ever seen or heard of them. I don't know what happened to them. but for me, they are the highlight of the movie! Not a great movie, but worth your time nonetheless.