It was less the clientelle than the celebrity hosts and hostesses that made the USO's Hollywood Canteen a hot spot during World War Two. Opening in 1942 at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood, the movers and shakers behind the Canteen were primarily Bette Davis and John Garfield, along with Jules Stein, President of Music Corporation of America who was responsible for finding financial support for the venture. During the three years it was open, the Hollywood Canteen entertained (at no charge) more than three million servicemen who passed through southern California on their way to the war in the Pacific.

The Hollywood Canteen was entirely staffed my vounteers--3,000 of them, including stars, players, directors, producers, grips, dancers, musicians, singers, writers, technicians, wardrobe attendants, hair stylists, agents, stand-ins, publicists, secretaries, and allied craftsmen of radio and screen. In addition to the stars who waited tables and even washed dishes, many of the most popular celebrities of the day provided entertainment. Among them were Bob Hope, Cary Grant, Spencer Tracy, Bill Robinson, Lena Horne, and Red Skelton.

By 1943 the world's most famous USO club had become so well known Warner Bros. produced a movie about it starring Joan Leslie and Robert Hutton. The film had scores of stars playing themselves and was directed by Delmar Daves who also wrote the screenplay. The Hollywood Canteen closed its doors in 1945, but the building that housed it still exists.