Trivia

Originally conceived by Warner Bros. as a multi-studio (like the Hollywood Canteen) WWII effort with rival studios (Fox, Paramount, MGM, etc.) contributing cameo appearances by its stars. But when other studios balked at having performers appear (even though profits were reportedly earmarked for the war effort), Warner turned it into a single-studio affair.

In the first scene on New Guinea, when the soldiers assemble for mail call, the first name called is "Chris Nyby". Christian Nyby was the film editor of the picture. George Nogle (camera operator) and Chuck Hansen (unit manager) are also called. Finally, the chaplain calls for Roberts which probably refers to Casey Roberts, the set decorator.

Bette Davis and John Garfield are credited with being among of the founders of the Hollywood Canteen, organizing the entire concept into one of the highlights of many an enlisted man's memory of serving in World War Il. They also played a major role in recruiting movie stars, musical artists and celebrities of every kind to entertain the troops, dance with them, and even staff the Canteen, serving as waitresses, bus boys and dishwashers.

Ann Sheridan was supposed to have the female lead in this movie. However, Sheridan declined the role, feeling the script was too unrealistic.

The Mocambo, which was visited by Joan Leslie and Robert Hutton, was a club in West Hollywood that was very popular during the 1940s and 1950s. The club opened in 1941 and was an immediate success. In the film, Slim and Joan Leslie bump into Eleanor Parker and Helmut Dantine outside the club, which was an accurate depiction of the Mocambo's clientele. The club was frequented by numerous film stars and celebrities, including such names as Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Errol Flynn, Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, Tyrone Power, Judy Garland, Bob Hope, John Wayne, James Cagney, Louis B. Mayer, and Howard Hughes. The Mocambo closed its doors on June 30, 1958.