In 1943, United Artists brought out "Stage Door Cantee"--a film about the Broadway facility run by the actors to make the soldiers passing through the city feel welcome and at home. The following year, Warner Brothers brought out "Hollywood Canteen"--pretty much the same sort of film but with screen actors. It also saw MGM's entry into this sort of patriotic song and dance extravaganza, "Two Girls and a Sailor". This time, instead of Hollywood or Broadway stars, this USO-like place was created by state performers of all sorts--more the Vaudeville types. However, being MGM, the performers are often just MGM contract players--along with several top band leaders and, inexplicably, Gracie Allen (without her husband, George Burns). And, like these two other films, this one was very shallow on plot and mostly came off like a talent show. And, too often, the emphasis was on showing these acts instead of creating an enjoyable story. So, despite a nice starring cast (June Allyson, Gloria DeHaven, Van Johnson and Jimmy Durante) and a lot of unusual stars it's a bit of a bore...too long in music, too short on everything else.
By the way, of the three films, the first, "Stage Door Canteen" is the best. And, after you've seen that one, you can pretty much imagine what the other two are like.
By the way, of the three films, the first, "Stage Door Canteen" is the best. And, after you've seen that one, you can pretty much imagine what the other two are like.