Show-Business at War

One of the MARCH OF TIME shorts devoted to the participation of movie stars in the war effort during WWII, this is interesting but somewhat of a letdown in showcasing some of the famous movie stars in the cast.

Those who do get extended coverage are mostly radio stars like Jack Benny, Rochester, Mary Livingston, Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy and Ginny Simms, or entertainers like Al Jolson who does his corny "Mammy" routine before an audience of cheering soldiers.

But you get barely a glimpse of Olivia de Havilland dancing with a soldier, Linda Darnell serving refreshments at the Hollywood Cantine, Loretta Young at the bedside of a wounded soldier, Carole Lombard selling war bonds on her last public appearance, or Hedy Lamarr participating in a skit where a soldier gets to kiss the movie star. Marlene Dietrich, Deanna Durbin, Irene Dunne, Anne Shirley, Martha Raye and others get very brief notice. Surprisingly, there is no clip showing Bob Hope or Bing Crosby who both were famous for entertaining the troops.

But overall, the short does a good job of showing how important entertainment was to the men and women in uniform who comprised the most appreciative audience these performers ever had.