Hollywood Canteen (1944)

A musical set in the USO nightclub where the biggest names in show business entertained the troops during World War II, HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN boasts an all-star cast of dozens. Corporal Ed Slim (Robert Hutton) develops a crush on one of the show's stars, Joan Leslie (as herself). Knowing he is merely an enlistee, he thinks it is unlikely he could ever successfully woo her. However, he is lucky enough to win a night out on the town with her when he's named the canteen's millionth visitor.
HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN features songs by Joan Crawford, Ida Lupino, Barbara Stanwyck, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, Jack Benny, and Roy Rogers. Most of the actors worked for free and director Delmer Daves did a wonderful job of telling them to "just act more like themselves." Ray Heindorf conjures up a slew of catchy tunes. HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN showcases a time in the U.S. when show business was thriving and so was American generosity.