🦃 Happy Thanksgiving! The Hollywood Canteen

Wishing you all a safe & wonderful Thanksgiving!

Spencer Tracy, Bette Davis and Jack La Rue serve turkey

On Thursday, November 25, 1943, a Thanksgiving celebration was held at the Hollywood Canteen for 3,500 servicemen. The event featured entertainment by Bob Hope, and an impressive 76 turkeys were expertly carved by celebrities including Bette Davis, Spencer Tracy, Paul Heinreid, Edward Arnold, Wallace Beery, Claude Rains, Charles Coburn, Warren William, Edgar Bergen, John Garfield, John Wayne, Dick Powell, and William Bendix.

Actor Warren Williams watches Charles Coburn carve a turkey

During World War II, Hollywood played an active role in supporting the military, similar to many other communities. A significant initiative was the creation of the Hollywood Canteen, located at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood, California. It opened its doors on October 3, 1942, and gracefully concluded its operations on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1945.

Dane Clark, Robert Hutton, Una O'Connor, and Sidney Greenstreet serve dinner to servicemen

This remarkable USO nightclub was exclusively designed for enlisted personnel, with officers only allowed entry if they changed out of their uniforms. Co-founded by luminaries such as Bette Davis, John Garfield, and Jules Stein, the Canteen provided soldiers with memorable experiences, such as dancing with the famous Hedy Lamarr and enjoying doughnuts served by the delightful Rita Hayworth. Robert Benchley was also seen fulfulling dishwashing duties.

Red Skelton & Spencer Tracy serve the soldiers

Throughout its operational years, the Canteen hosted an astonishing 3 million military personnel. From its inception in 1942 to its emotional farewell on Thanksgiving, the venue consistently displayed profound compassion by inviting service members separated from their families on this special holiday to partake in a lavish Thanksgiving feast. The celebrated Chef Milani, an esteemed Italian chef, was in charge of the culinary offerings at this beloved establishment. With care, Chef Milani created delicious meals that highlighted the unique flavors and preferences of various regions across America. Each dish was thoughtfully executed, ranging from traditional Boston baked beans and chowder to exquisite Creole shrimp, reflecting the diverse culinary heritage of the nation.


Servicemen eating Thanksgiving dinner at the Hollywood Canteen

Claude Rains and Edward Arnold carve turkeys

Dinah Shore with servicemen on Thanksgiving Day

The Canteen's final day ended after a marathon 10-hour performance that concluded at midnight, featuring a Thanksgiving show that began in the afternoon and continued into the evening. The lineup showcased performances from stars including Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Ingrid Bergman, Joan Leslie, Kay Kyser, Bette Davis, Dinah Shore, James Stewart, Hedy Lamarr, Edward G. Robinson, Henry Fonda, and Ronald Colman.

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