Alfred Lunt

This delightfully sentimental movie documents (via a fictional tale) the real-life story of New York City’s Stage Door Canteen, an east coast version of the Hollywood Canteen, where soldiers were entertained by stage and screen stars of the era.

Stage Door Canteen -- A soldier on leave in New York goes to the Stage Door Canteen where they put on a show for servicemen during the War. He meets a pretty hostess and they enjoy the acts together.

A war time romance bloomes in WWII between canteen hostess Eileen and visiting soldier Dakota at New York's famous Stage Door Canteen. Their story provides the backdrop for showing the greatest film, stage, comedy, and musical actors of the day performing multiple plays, acts, and musical numbers, or serving drinks and food to U.S. servicemen at this famous non-profit establishment. See the likes of Katherine Hepburn, Helen Hayes, Kenny Baker, Ralph Bellamy, Charlie McCarthy, Ray Bolger, Tallulah Bankhead, Jean Hersholt, Gypsy Rose Lee, Harpo Marx, Johnny Weissmuller, and many more in this star-studded production. At the time, profits for this film were entirely donated to various wartime fundraising efforts.

In a fascinating departure from the austere moral drama in which he specialized, D.W. Griffith demonstrates his talent for warm-hearted comedy with 'Sally of the Sawdust.' Fresh from the Ziegfeld Follies, W.C. Fields made his second screen appearance as Professor Eustace McGargle in a rare silent screen role showcasing the comic juggling and dry wit that would make him a legend.