She was awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, the Defense Department's highest civilian award, for founding and running the Hollywood Canteen during World War II.
The Hollywood Canteen, was created by Bette Davis and John Garfield in 1942.
I got a rousing smile from Davis when asking her how things were shaping up that night.
"To be sure, we formed a line for the congo half an hour ago and I got tripped up by Ronald Colman and Bonita Granville. But no one notices." She laughs just like you are supposed to, Bette, with plenty of energy. "
“ Later I'm supposed to give a speech and it's still being written. I'd wing it, only the last time I did that I didn't get any laughs. If you're standing in front of a few thousand soldiers, the least you can do is make them laugh." She was dressed in a blue cotton outfit with a white scarf dangling around her neck. Very simple, but attractive. Her hair, swept up, allowed me the chance to see she was wearing a small diamond stud in each ear lobe. They call her the little brown wren for her trends away from the glamorous styles of Hollywood. She had said she was the first actress to come in out of a rain, in the moving pictures, and actually look wet.
Suddenly Bette is whisked away by a man in a white hat, the cook, I suppose, so momentarily I began talking to a boy named Johnny at the bar. Johnny, with no last name, is but eighteen and enjoying his night at the canteen.
"So, you are from...?" I asked Johnny.
"Ohio, actually .Johnny is blond and wears a white sailors suit and grins most of the time. His shoes are muddy. I do not remember it raining and ask him about this. He looks down and grins. He can't tell me or won't.
"My mother would die. She loves this place. She goes to the picture show to see Gary Cooper in every movie he's in. I like Bing Crosby, personally. He come here ever?" I answer him that at any given night you can see celebrities walk in, have a drink, dance, sing and thank our servicemen and women.
Virtually a sea of servicemen on the floor of an establishment that was once called, 'The Old Barn,' back in the days when it was a livery stable and then a nightclub before it's remake into the world famous establishment it is today.
Just as I turn to see who is singing, I see a very familiar face smiles back at me.
"Why you rascal!" He says.
Clark Gable never looked more sly, more unique there among a crowd of rowdy sailors, marines and enlisted men whooping it up. Wearing a dark cream colored sweater, loose fitting casual slacks, he appeared out of breath. His hair gleamed in the lights overhead.. I shook his hand without a second thought. Old friends were nice to see.
“ You alone? How's that puppy?"
I had acquired a puppy two years ago from my aunt, the last time I saw Clark. I never forgave her. My sofa was a wreck . I told Clark the dog was fine. He smiled, a began looking around the room and dance floor.
I laughed. "You never change Clark.”
“Great to see you. There's a war you know. I'm a boy of leisure tonight. Wanna root beer? I have connections."
More laughs follow, but it was just then that I sawBette Davis make her re-entry. A piece of white paper firmly in her grip, possibly the speech she referred to earlier, flapped at her waist. She was not smiling this time; seemed to be mumbling, maybe her speech. A host of three others, one of which seemed to be Garfield, followed close behind. I called them the baby ducklings to Clark. He laughed again.
Somehow Bette made it to the stage. Small wonder too she could, wading through auto-graph hunting, dancing, young and not so young admirers, but it happened.
She looked out over the crowd. There was no sound coming from the microphone when she first spoke. She stepped back, stared in the general direction of the piano player for a minute or two and then tried again. While tapping on the microphone for sound some man yelled out from the crowd, "you're beautiful!" It was just the right thing to say. Immediately the smile I had seen half an hour earlier returned. She may of even blushed, but I know it was rather hot in there. Seconds later, she raised both hands for silence. Only Bette Davis could control a room full of soldiers and merry makers. In a minute's time, the room grew very still.
"I want to thank each and everyone of you that came out tonight to make our time in the canteen so special." She turned to someone behind her. The piano player again. "In an uncertain world like we live in, it's nice to believe in something worth while. You fellows out there inspire us all. I'm not in the Army, Navy, Marines or Air Corps, and I do better under Mr. Wyler's direction than under Mr. Roosevelt's (pausing for laughter), but in every other way I can, I'm with you whether it be here in your company or inside here (she points to her heart) or here (then to her head). And it's easy to say thank you, although that's really not enough, but for the moment I do hope you'll take that simple gesture of gratitude.! We love ya!"
After the clapping died down, Bette introduced the Andrew Sisters who performed their hit, Rum and Coca-cola. As I walked past the Servicemen beginning to dance again with the girls at the Canteen. I walked near the bar and waved to Clark, who was trying to leave but for a flock of girls trying to get him to dance.
Let's hope the world at large calms it's beasts as well and some peace prevails in the coming year. Till, then, keep your chins up and adieu from the Hollywood Canteen.
(This has been a fictional depiction
of the serviceman club known as,
The Hollywood Canteen.
In no way, shape or form did any of the above happen.
The Club did exist and similar situations may have
occurred during it's run at the time of World War II.)
Jeff May ( writter )
