Stage Door Canteen (B&W)

Stage Door Canteen (B&W)
Stage Door Canteen (1943), directed by Frank Borzage (A Farewell to Arms) in support of the war effort, prefigures Anchors Aweigh and On the Town in depicting the lives of servicemen on leave in the big city. Countless British and American celebrities put in an appearance--everyone from Dame Judith Anderson to Katharine Hepburn, Count Basie to Benny Goodman. The story concerns three soldiers and the female volunteers they fall for at the canteen of the title--a real-life Manhattan nightspot--before shipping out for points unknown. While the largely unknown principals (Cheryl Walker, William Terry, etc.) handle the drama and romance, bigger stars like Harpo Marx and Tallulah Bankhead take care of the comedy and scene-stealing supporting bits. This historical document was most commonly shown in an edited-for-TV 93-minute version but is now available again in its original--more entertaining--132-minute length. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Customer Review: GREAT WAR-TIME ENTERTAINMENT
In the 1940's there were two Canteens...the Hollywood Canteen in California and the STage Door Canteen in New York, set-up to entertain serviceman who were getting ready to go to war or who were on leave. The big attraction was that many Hollywood stars would work at the two establishments doing everything from bussing tables to dancing with the servicemen. Stage Door Canteen does a pretty good job of capturing the feel of the real establishment. One can only guess at the wide-eyed wonder these young men had when people like Bette DAvis and John Garfield waited on them. The thin plot follows a group of serviceman who are about to be shipped off to fight. And that's really about it. They were not setting out to make a dramatic classic. This was strictly a morale booster film, loaded with celebrities. Among the guest stars are: Ralph Bellamy, Edgar Bergen, Helen Hayes, katherine Hepburn, Harpo Marx, George Raft, and Johnny Weissmuller as well as the orchestras of Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Kay Kyser. It's sort of like a 1940's version of "We are the World" with all these celebs joining together for a great cause. Fabulous entertainment!
Customer Review: Avoid DVDs from Image Entertainment
I ordered STAGE DOOR CANTEEN on May 28. I have yet to receive a DVD! It has not yet shipped. This is irresponsible business dealing.