Introduction
During World War II some of the biggest stars in the film industry such as Clark Gable, Henry Fonda, and James Stewart left Hollywood behind. They volunteered or were drafted to serve their country by joining the Armed Services (Click Here to read our article about it). Other movie stars stayed in Tinseltown but still supported the war effort.
The most legendary example of this service was at The Hollywood Canteen, a restaurant where Hollywood stars served the troops food and drink. Bette Davis ran the place. Some of the sights you’d see if you were a GI lucky enough to pass through its doors could include Shirley Temple tending bar. Marlene Dietrich filling coffee cups. Betty Grable dancing with a soldier. Or Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth performing magic tricks on stage. On Christmas Eve Bing Crosby would bring his two young sons along to sing Christmas Carols.
Inception
In 1942, John Garfield thought it would be a good idea to have a place where servicemen in Los Angeles could go for food, dancing, and entertainment before shipping out overseas. Garfield felt that this was the perfect way for him to contribute to the war effort since he was ineligible for service due to a heart condition.
Garfield was most likely inspired by Broadway’s Stage Door Canteen. This establishment had a similar function in New York and began operation on March 2, 1942. Garfield approached his friend Bette Davis, who was immediately taken with the idea. Davis then approached her friend, Jules Stein, the head of the Music Corporation of America (Davis’ representation since 1938) about joining her and Garfield in the plan.
“Jules Stein, up to this time, was seldom ever seen. Few people even knew what he looked like. He preferred to live this way. It was a big decision when he said he would head the financial committee. He would have to alter his way of life. Without his hard work, advice, and investments of our funds the Hollywood Canteen could not have been successful, to say nothing of the work of his wife, Doris, who I asked to be the head of the committee for the hostesses necessary for dancing partners for the servicemen. When the canteen was no longer needed after V-J Day, $500,000 remained in the canteen account. These monies were the result of Jules’s ideas. A great source of revenue came from a film he urged Warner Bros. to make called Hollywood Canteen, a large percentage of which was allotted by Mr. Warner to the canteen itself. With the remaining monies a foundation was formed, and to this day contributions are made to worthy projects dealing with the armed forces.”
– Bette Davis
Getting Started
Stein was also instrumental in putting into effect a code of conduct in place for the women working there. It prohibited them from exchanging addresses and “fraternizing” outside of the club. He also implemented a strict no-alcohol rule. Any violators were to be turned over to the LAPD. It didn’t matter if they were a serviceman or a Hollywood star. The rules applied to everyone.
The location that was decided upon for this endeavor was to be in Hollywood at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard. This was previously the location of a former livestock stable as well as a tavern called The Old Barn.
Members of the fourteen guilds and unions of the entertainment industry donated materials for repairs and decorations. They also provided the necessary labor needed. Hollywood artists also painted murals on the walls. Davis was the President of this enterprise with Garfield serving as its Vice President.
The number of Hollywood stars and crew members alike that volunteered to be a part of The Hollywood Canteen before its opening was an astonishing three thousand people. Because of this, Davis astutely made sure that several big-name stars were there every single night to be seen and to serve the men in uniform.
Opening
The Hollywood Canteen opened on October 3, 1942. On this particular evening, they opened the place up to civilians for an admission fee of $100. This was an idea broached to Davis by Stein. The result was they made $10,000 on opening night.
“It seemed thousands of men entered the canteen that night. I had to crawl through a window to get inside.”
– Bette Davis
Bette Davis gave a speech that evening and it was so loud within the building that she ended up with laryngitis. Bob Hope performed shortly after Davis’ speech concluded. Hope was one of the most frequent performers at the Canteen. He was also one of its biggest fans.
On October 13, 1942, he broadcasted his radio program, The Pepsodent Show, from The Hollywood Canteen. Davis even performed in several “bits” with Hope. After the show finished Hope volunteered in the kitchen, washing dishes.
On October 23, 1943, Davis sent Hope a thank you letter on Hollywood Canteen stationery for all of his contributions to ensure that it was a success, including greeting members of the British Armed Forces.
All Are Welcome
Davis was a strict believer that any soldier who fought for the Allies should be welcome in The Hollywood Canteen. This was regardless of nationality or skin color. She was firmly against segregation stating on the stage of The Hollywood Canteen – “The blacks got the same bullets as the whites did, and should have the same treatment.” Because of this stance, she was awarded the U.S. Department of Defense’s highest civilian award in 1980 – the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal.
“Through these portals pass the most beautiful uniforms in the world”
—Sign over the entrance to the Hollywood Canteen
After its first year of operation, The Hollywood Canteen served its one-millionth guest. To show their appreciation the soldier was escorted inside by actress Marlene Dietrich and given a kiss from pin-up girl Betty Grable, as well as a meeting with Lana Turner.
“Forget the wounds, remember the man. Don’t be over-solicitous, nor too controlled to the point of indifference. Learn to use the word ‘prosthetics’ instead of ‘artificial limbs.’ Never say, ‘It could have been worse.’ And when he talks about his war experiences, listen, but don’t ask for more details than he wants to give.”
– Bette Davis memo written for The Hollywood Canteen staff
In 1944, Warner Brothers made the movie Hollywood Canteen about the experiences of two soldiers who visit The Hollywood Canteen. Many Hollywood stars who volunteered at the establishment appear in the film as cameos. Both Davis and Garfield give speeches about the history of The Hollywood Canteen. It was the fourth highest-grossing movie of the year making $4.2 million at the box office. The studio donated 40% of the box office gross to the Canteen.
All Good Things…
The Hollywood Canteen closed its doors on November 25, 1945, which was Thanksgiving Day. Naturally, Bob Hope was the final performer. By the time it closed its doors over four million soldiers had visited. The surplus funds of $500,000 from the Canteen were donated to various veteran relief funds.
“There are few accomplishments in my life that I am sincerely proud of. The Hollywood Canteen is one of them.”
– Bette Davis
The Servicemen who had the pleasure of experiencing an evening at The Hollywood Canteen never forgot the famous individuals they encountered. Likewise, the Hollywood stars gratefully remembered serving the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the fight against the Axis.
