Stage Door Canteen (1943)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Frank Borzage

Writer:

Delmer Daves (original screenplay)

Release Date:

31 March 1944 (Australia)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance | War

Plot:

"Dakota," a young soldier on a pass in New York City, visits the famed Stage Door Canteen, where famous...

Plot Keywords:

Stage Door Canteen | Soldier | New York City | Hostess | Star

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Judith Anderson	...	Herself
Kenny Baker	...	Himself
Tallulah Bankhead	...	Herself
Ralph Bellamy	...	Himself
Edgar Bergen	...	Himself
Charlie McCarthy	...	Himself
Ray Bolger	...	Himself
Ina Claire	...	Herself
Katharine Cornell	...	Herself
Gracie Fields	...	Herself
Lynn Fontanne	...	Herself
Helen Hayes	...	Herself
Katharine Hepburn	...	Herself
Hugh Herbert	...	Himself
Jean Hersholt	...	Himself

Runtime:

132 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian | Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved (PCA #9216) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Filming Locations:

Fort MacArthur, San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Sol Lesser Productions

Trivia:

Producer Sol Lesser paid the Stage Door Canteen $50,000 for the use of its name; they and Allied Charities received the net profits from the film. Because it was too difficult to film at the actual Stage Door Canteen on 44th Street in New York City, it was duplicated at both filming locations (Fox News NY Studios and RKO-Pathé Studios, Culver City).

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Broadway: The American Musical: Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin': 1943-1960 (#1.4)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

We Musn't Say Goodbye

Superstars entertain enlisted men.

This movie has more stars in it than the firmament! Even more stars than its cousin Hollywood Canteen.

I remember seeing it as a child in 1943 and have had it on tape for years and wonder why it has not been digitally remastered. The picture is scratchy and bumpy in parts, but nothing can spoil the innocence of our youth in uniform ready to go off to war.

Cameo appearances of so many entertainers on one stage give you an idea of what vaudeville and the big band era were like. There is no plot line or even a semblance of continuity in the performances of these stars, but all are polished appearances as if the casts were on tour. Their time was donated and their patriotism shows through loud and clear.

The story line involves a group of army enlistees who are given a mini furlough in New York City before they ship out. They are in awe of the big city at first but are told of a place where there is entertainment and free food. This, of course, is the canteen. Over the course of less than forty-eight hours, Dakota, Californa, Tex, Jersey, and others pair off with hostesses at the Stage Door Canteen. It is amazing how quickly love blooms in this setting. The hostesses have taken a vow not to get involved with the fellas, but how can they resist when they see the innocence, charm, and sincerity of the boys?

If there are starring roles in the storyline, they belong to California and Eileen, though they are not paired as sweethearts. California (LonMcAllister)looks like a teenager and is so likable. He has never kissed a girl! Eileen (Cheryl Walker) is torn between her duty to the canteen and her love for Dakota.

Some have said this movie is a morale booster or war-time propaganda. I like to think of it as the way things were during World War II.