New Hollywood Canteen Book

Authors Lisa Mitchell and Bruce Torrence finished penning their new book, “The Hollywood Canteen” and had it released in June 2012.  Opened on October 3, 1943, the Hollywood Canteen was for the benefit of servicemen during World War II.  It was founded by Bette Davis and John Garfield and with the assistance of Dr. Jules Stein, the Canteen became one of the most popular places in Hollywood during the war.

Millionth Man

The millionth serviceman to visit the Hollywood Canteen was...

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Now that Bruce Torrence’s and Lisa Mitchell’s book, The Hollywood Canteen, is going to be released in July or August, it’s time to tell the world about the great text and wonderful photographs that are contained in this exciting book.

The text was written by Lisa and the selection of Hollywood Canteen photos were chosen by Bruce.  They all came from his vast collection of Hollywood photographs which can be seen on his hollywoodphotographs.com web site.  The site has over 8000 historic and not so historic photographs of old Hollywood.  

Within the collection are more than three hundred images of the Hollywood Canteen.  They include images of the opening ceremony, servicemen dancing with celebrities,...

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The Hollywood Canteen operated for three years during World War Two.  Founded by Bette Davis and John Garfield, the Hollywood Canteen was located on Cahuenga Ave., just south of Sunset Blvd.

The Canteen was supported and operated by all the unions and guilds of the entertainment industry.  All the people who volunteered at the Cahteen were members of the motion picture and radio industries.  Over the course of its three year operation, more than three million servicemen visited the famous Hollywood Canteen.

Volunteers served in several capacities;  Hostesses,...

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Recently, Hollywood historians and authors, Lisa Mitchell and Bruce Torrence, have finished their new book titled, “The Hollywood Canteen.”  Consisting of over 35,000 words. the book will contain approximately one hundred and sixty five photographs, many of which have never been seen by the public.  Opened on October 3, 1942, the Hollywood Canteen was the most popular place for W.W.II servicemen to go when in Hollywood.  Conceived by Bette Davis and John Garfield, the Hollywood Canteen was operated by the thousands of volunteers from...

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In the 1940's, soldiers being sent off or just returning from service could enjoy a visit to the Hollywood Canteen, where they could drink for free and even hobnob with movie stars and Hollywood elite.  Cofounded by actor John Garfield and superstar Bette Davis, offered free admission and free drinks for soldiers in uniform, and was so well respected in the industry for what it did for these soldiers that movie stars and other Hollywood talents often volunteered there or simply spent time there in order to shake hands with those in the service.

The Hollywood Canteen may be closed but for anyone that loves vintage Hollywood or Americana memorabilia, images and photographs of...

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 The Hollywood Canteen was built and created as a place for servicemen to go while on leave in Hollywood during the Second World War. The Hollywood Canteen offered entertainment, dancing, and food free of charge. To get in, servicemen simply had to show up in uniform. The Hollywood Canteen was mostly frequented by servicemen on their way overseas. 

The staff of the Hollywood Canteen consisted entirely of volunteers from the entertainment industry. Celebrities waited on tables, cooked, and cleaned up after the visiting servicemen. Servicemen were entertained by the most popular musicians and stars of the...

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The Hollywood Canteen was located at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood  and existed from October 3, 1942 to November 22, 1945 (Thanksgiving Day).  As a place offering food, dancing and entertainment for servicemen, usually on their way overseas, it was extremely popular. Even though the majority of visitors were U.S. servicemen, the Canteen was open to servicemen of allied countries as well as women in all branches of service. The serviceman's ticket for admission was his uniform and everything at the Canteen was free of charge.

The founders...

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While it is true that The Hollywood Canteen could refer to either the Warner Brothers 1944 film, “The Hollywood Canteen”, which was directed by Delmar Daves,  or the famous hangout for servicemen during WWII. The  Hollywood Canteen was a place that provided dancing and entertainment, as well as food, to servicemen and women in all branches of the service. The only thing a person needed to get in was a his uniform. There was no charge to get into the Canteen and the cigarettes, food and coffee were all free. The Hollywood Canteen was located on Cahuenga Ave, just south of Sunset Blvd.  Thousands of Hollywood Canteen photographs were taken during the time it existed

Started by ...

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Over the course of its three years, the Hollywood Canteen entertained millions of servicemen with the best singers, dancers, actors, actresses, comedians and radio personalities in show business. 

There were at two floor shows each night, one for each shift fo volunteers, that lasted approximately 45 minutes.  Some people nabbed tables, but the larger mass of soldiers, hostesses, and other volunteers sat down on the dance floor or stood along the perimeter of the room, relishing Hollywood's cream of the crop entertainers. 

SINGERS

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 For servicemen coming to Hollywood, during the second world war, the Hollywood Canteen was the place to go.  Word spread like wildfire and it wasn’t uncommon to see hundreds of soldiers standing in line to get into the Canteen.  

Fashioned after New York’s Stage Door Canteen, which was started on March 4, 1942, the hollywood Canteen was founded...

HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN PHOTOGRAPHS

HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN

In the 1940's, soldiers being sent off or just returning from service could enjoy a visit to the Hollywood Canteen, where they could hobnob with movie stars and Hollywood elite. The Hollywood Canteen was founded by John Garfield and Bette Davis. They offered free admission, free food, sodas and cigarettes to soldiers. What made the Hollywood Canteen so popular was the abundance...

HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN PHOTOS

HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN

The Hollywood Canteen was legendary.  The Hollywood Canteen operated at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood, California between October 3, 1942 and November 22, 1945 (Thanksgiving Day) as a club offering food, dancing and entertainment for servicemen, usually on their way overseas. 

Founded by Bette Davis and John Garfield, and with the assistance of Dr. Jules Stein, the Hollywood Canteen opened its doors on October 3, 1942 with a grand opening ceremony that rivaled the best of Hollywood movie premieres. Hundreds of Hollywood Canteen photos...

HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN HISTORY

STARTING & BUILDING THE HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN

If the Hollywood Canteen was still open, it would be 59 years old, in October 2011.  Even though it only lasted for three years, the Canteen  had quite a history.

Founded by Bette Davis and John Garfield, and with the assistance of Dr. Jules Stein, the Hollywood Canteen opened its doors on October 3, 1942 with a grand opening ceremony that rivaled the best of Hollywood movie premieres. Hundreds of Hollywood Canteen photographs were take by scores of Hollywood’s best photographers

After weeks of searching...