and entertainment were provided. They could
dance the night away with Lana Turner, Rita
Hayworth, and Ginger Rogers while Orson
Wells, Cary Grant and Joe E. Brown served
meals. On any given night, there would be
hundreds of Hollywood notables in attendance
making the brave men and women feel like
the true stars that they were. Glenn Miller
and his orchestra would be playing Moonlight
Serenade, while Marlene Dietrich and Hedy
LaMarr washed dishes. Comedians Phil Silvers
and Jack Benny would bus tables while the
Nicholas Brothers dazzled on the dance floor
with breathtaking dancing. Each night brought
a chance for our brave men in uniform to escape
from the fears and trepidations of the war into
a world of fantasy created just for them. When
the Hollywood Canteen closed its doors on
Thanksgiving Day of 1945, it had seen over 3
million servicemen and women come through.
The success of the canteen, prompted
Warner Brothers release a film called
(what else?) HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN in
1944. Even though its plot is a fictionalized
evening of a couple of servicemen visiting
the canteen, it gives us all a little look
what it was like inside the landmark club.
The film is filled with marvelous musical
numbers and a bevy of stars making cameos.
In addition to the Hollywood Canteen, the
entertainment industry has come to the aid of
the nation in other ways during time of war.
In 1918, Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks
and Mary Pickford set out on the Liberty Bond
Tour. At the time, the 3 actors were some of
the highest paid and most popular entertainers
in the world. They drew crowds in the
thousands to their brief but rousing appearances
promoting the purchase of War Bonds. A local
newspaper described Chaplin’s speech as he
“begged his hearers to buy Liberty Bonds,
and then to buy more bonds.” He then asked
who would buy these bonds and “the hands
went up from one end of the vast concourse of
people to the other”. These bond tours were
tremendously effective, and with the promotion
from three of the most powerful figures
in Hollywood, over $20 billion was raised.
the Memories.” Hope went on to conduct nearly 60 USO tours
throughout the world. He would bring fellow celebrities and
performers, including Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Bing
Crosby, and James Brown, with him to entertain troops. Many
believe this to be his greatest legacy. In 1997, then President Bill
Clinton, named Hope an Honorary Veteran. In response, a very
touched Hope said “I’ve been given many awards in my lifetime –
but to be numbered among the men and women I admire most – is
the greatest honor I have ever received.” He was a true Patriot.
Throughout Hollywood’s history countless war
films have been made. Some are uplifting; others
show the true horrors of war and conflict. The
subject of war spans over all genres of filmmaking.
In 1981, Bill Murray stared in STRIPES and had us
laughing in the aisles as we watched him struggle
through basic Army training, but ultimately
emerging as a war hero. Films like FULL METAL
JACKET (1987) and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
(1998) opened our eyes to the emotional toll and
gruesome side war impacts us. Every decade
of film making has turned out movies and
documentaries about our wars and our conflicts.
They leave us us feeling enlightened, proud,
disturbed, grateful, and patriotic. Through film,
One of the most beloved comedians in we can educate ourselves and gain perspective of
Hollywood made what some consider being the commitment our troops make for our country.
the biggest impact on the moral of troops in
more than 3 wars. Bob Hope made his first The film industry has played a positive role in the
USO (United Service Organization) appearance name of our active armed services, those who
in 1941, while at March Field in California, have served, and the love of country. Raising
where crooned his iconic song “Thanks for spirits, funds, and awareness, for those involved.
NOVEMBER 2016
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
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