About 15 years ago, I did a post on the Hollywood Canteen. With a few new photos added to my collection, it seemed like a good time to do an update! The photo above shows Shirley Temple arriving for her appearance at the Hollywood Canteen, July 14, 1943. How do I know the date? Thanks to Shirley expert supreme, the Rita Dubas, who not only gave me the date that was written on the back of a photo from her collection, but shared the photo itself/ Not sure who the guy next to Shirley is, but the guy behind her looks a bit like Ray Bolger!
Rita also sent me a link to a FANTASTIC site filled with photos and background info about the Canteen. Edited from the Historic Hollywood Photographs website:
Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, actress Bette Davis approached fellow actor John Garfield and Dr. Jules Stein about starting a canteen for servicemen in Hollywood, similar to the Stage Door Canteen in New York. The three approached all the entertainment unions, guilds, movie studios and radio stations for support. They found a dilapidated barn located at 1451 N. Cahuenga Blvd and leased it for $100 a month for the duration of the war. Hollywood's motion picture craftsmen volunteered their services to do the renovation and transformed the place.
Below, from 1942 (L to R) Forrest Cooper, Jules Stein, Al Ybarra, Bette Davis & John Garfield planning the construction of the Hollywood Canteen
It was unanimously agreed that the Hollywood Canteen would be exclusively for enlisted servicemen, no officers allowed. The servicemen's uniform was his admission ticket. The only people allowed to volunteer were those who worked in some facet of the entertainment business. The Canteen had its grand opening on October 3rd, 1942 with Eddie Cantor as MC. The forecourt was filled with thousands of servicemen, dignitaries and civic leaders. All food, beverages, and cigarettes were free. Each night, two bands played to packed dance floors. Entertainers included Red Skelton, Spencer Tracy, Rosemary Clooney, Bob Hope, and Bing Crosby. Hostesses included Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich, Paulette Goddard and Joan Crawford. When the war ended in 1945, fewer servicemen visited and the canteen closed by November. Over the course of its 3 year existence, the Hollywood Canteen had over 3 million servicemen come through its doors. It was truly Hollywood's finest home-front contribution to the war.
Below is a shot from opening night on October 3, 1942, with comedians Abbott and Costello at the microphone:
The medley below shows just how special the Canteen was, especially in light of today, this would NEVER occur. Top Hollywood celebrities like Hedy Lamarr, Marlene Dietrich, Betty Grable (with Sergeant Carl Bell, the millionth serviceman to visit), and Linda Darnell all served, danced, and socialized with the soldiers without pay or bodyguards. Let that sink in. Oh…and no social media.
Shirley puts her apron on to get down to business. The stars didn’t just show up — they WORKED!
From the How to Eat LA website comes an additional shot of Shirley from the same night, serving snacks to the servicemen:
And in case you think these celebrities were one-and-dones, no way; here’s Shirley performing again at the Canteen on a different night.
Rita informed me that the backdrop behind the band was styled after an 1890s vaudeville stage—the circular plaque above Shirley reads “Ennola Colber Hosiery Underwear.” Below is a detailed view of Shirley:
These previously posted images were from a collection I purchased, showing the exterior of the Canteen:
From the same batch, the soldier captured this view of Hollywood Boulevard featuring the NBC building:
Zooming in, you can also see the Palladium and the CBS building. The Palladium still stands.
This soldier relaxes at the cross streets of Sunset & Vine, just a few blocks from the Canteen:
The same soldier at Hollywood and Vine. You can see the Brown Derby sign in the background:
A detailed view of the United Nations War Relief ad:
The former site of the Canteen at Sunset and Cahueanga is now a parking garage and the CNN building. No plaque, no nothing to commemorate this historic location.
What are the sayings? They paved over paradise…time marches on…nothing lasts forever…well, you get the drift. Especially in Hollywood.
See more Hollywood photos at my main website.
