Hollywood Canteen
The Hollywood Canteen operated at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard in the Los Angeles, California, neighborhood of Hollywood between October 3, 1942, and November 22, 1945 (Thanksgiving Day), as a club offering food, dancing and entertainment for servicemen, who were usually on their way overseas. Even though the majority of visitors were US servicemen, the canteen was open to servicemen of allied countries as well as women in all branches of service. A serviceman's ticket for admission was his uniform and everything at the canteen was free of charge. The East Coast counterpart was the New York City–based Stage Door Canteen, which featured Broadway stars and was also celebrated in a film, Stage Door Canteen. History In 1942, the Hollywood Victory Committee, which included Clark Gable, Dorothy Lamour, Mickey Rooney, Irene Dunne, James Cagney,Bette Davis, Edward Arnold (actor),Loretta Young,Merle Oberon, Wallace Berry, Don Wilson, Hattie McDaniel, and John Garfield, helped establish the Hollywood Canteen. The various guilds and unions of the entertainment industry donated the labor and money for the building renovations. The canteen was operated and staffed completely by volunteers from the entertainment industry and Davis served as President throughout the war. By the time the canteen opened its doors, over