Stage Door Canteen (1943)

During WWII, the Stage Door Canteen is a recreational center for U.S. and Allied servicemen with pretty hostesses and celebrities doing their part for the war effort. In this setting, a young hostess (Cheryl Walker) and a soldier (William Terry) fall in love although fraternization is forbidden. Directed by Frank Borzage, this rather inane propaganda film was produced to boost morale and salute the troops which is to be applauded. But as cinema, it's dreadful. The reason to watch the film to today is the fun of star spotting as the film is crammed with famous faces, many known for their work in the theater as opposed to films. It's rather amusing how they're identified as if we might not know who they are so we get lines like, "Ed Wynn! I didn't expect to see you here", "Say, aren't you Ray Bolger?" and "Is that really Gypsy Rose Lee?". We get to see the legendary stage actress Katharine Cornell (in her only film appearance) recite from ROMEO AND JULIET though it doesn't give us a glimmer into why she was considered great. Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne show up too but they have a comedy bit rather than providing us with dramatic readings. We're treated to delights like Ethel Waters singing with the Count Basie band and Peggy Lee singing with the Benny Goodman orchestra which compensate for having to sit through Gracie Fields singing The Lord's Prayer. The film takes the time to acknowledge the service of African American and Asian soldiers. Other famous faces in the cast: Katharine Hepburn, Paul Muni, Tallulah Bankhead, Helen Hayes, Ethel Merman, Johnny Weissmuller, Judith Anderson, Merle Oberon, Ralph Bellamy, George Raft, Harpo Marx, Dame May Whitty, Martha Scott, Virginia Grey, Franklin Pangborn, William Demarest, Aline MacMahon, Lon McCallister, Virginia Field, Selena Royle, Kay Kyser and Jane Darwell.