Stage Door Canteen

Released Jun 24, 1943

2h 12m

Musical

List

Reviews

61%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

Amid cameos by celebrated musicians and film stars, soldier Dakota Smith (William Terry) travels to New York City in advance of his service during World War II. At a bustling social club established for the comfort of servicemen, he meets professional eye candy Eileen Burke (Cheryl Walker), an employee prohibited from having relationships with active troops. Caught up in the merriment, Dakota and Eileen find themselves drawn to one another in a meaningful way.

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Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Often fascinating look at legends of the era, with Borzage's fervent emotionalism.

Aug 5, 2013

Full Review

Phil Hall

Film Threat

An exercise in unfocused overkill that, ultimately, steamrolled its good intentions under 132 grueling minutes of flag-waving hokum.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 8, 2011

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Period talent, and WHAT talent!, in this WWII morale builder.

Rated: 5/5

Mar 20, 2008

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: B-

Jun 30, 2005

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Steve D

Only the cameos are of note.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/14/24

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Audience Member

Theatre version of Hollywood Canteed

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/28/21

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deke p

I never heard of it til watched it on The Movie Channel 6.2020. Interesting WW2 period piece. Mean't to support the war, and perhaps as a gift to all the GI's who couldn't see these actual performances by many stars of the period. Oh, and many of the women were enchanting and adorable. Almost fell in love again.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The first of the all-star WWII films that gave most of its box-office take back to its source - in this case, the famous canteen in NYC. The film runs on too long, and the plot is innocuous, but there are so many celebrities in it that it's worth seeing at least once; the song "We Musn't Say Goodbye" was nominated for an Oscar.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Captures the sweet romance of the WWII era movies that were intended to promote love of country while alleviating the anxiety and worry of the war. A star-studded cast with great performances and fun entertainment of the times.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An exercise in unfocused overkill that, ultimately, steamrolled its good intentions under 132 grueling minutes of flag-waving hokum.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Frank Borzage

Director

Cheryl Walker

Eileen Burke

William Terry

Dakota Smith

Marjorie Riordan

Jean

Lon McCallister

California Jack Gilman

Margaret Early

Ella Sue

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Synopsis

Amid cameos by celebrated musicians and film stars, soldier Dakota Smith (William Terry) travels to New York City in advance of his service during World War II. At a bustling social club established for the comfort of servicemen, he meets professional eye candy Eileen Burke (Cheryl Walker), an employee prohibited from having relationships with active troops. Caught up in the merriment, Dakota and Eileen find themselves drawn to one another in a meaningful way.

Director: Frank Borzage
Screenwriter: Delmer Daves
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: United Artists
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 1943, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 11, 2016
Runtime: 2h 12m

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