The Army-Navy Screen Magazine

After the boredom, uncertainty, and terror of combat, the greatest enemy of WWII GIs was loneliness and isolation. To bridge the gap, Hollywood made a heroic attempt to bring the homefront to the fighting man in USO shows, radio programs, and film shorts. The Army-Navy Screen Magazine (as explained on the video box but unfortunately not in the film) was a biweekly news and information short shown before the featured film in all military motion picture theaters. Each show generally consisted of five segments with stories ranging from homefront and war news to entertainment, even animated shorts. By war's end, the Magazine reached a weekly audience of over 4 million viewers. This video selects seemingly random segments from this program series. Highlights include Dinah Shore conducting a tour of the Hollywood Canteen, pre-sitcom Lucille Ball cutting up with the master of voices Mel Blanc, Lena Horne entertaining black GIs, and Abbott and Costello doing an unusual version of their "Who's on First?" routine. Viewers will have no problem identifying celebrities like Bob Hope, but the video should have provided some clarifying commentary on the contributions of half forgotten figures appearing here, such as big band leader Kay Kyser, comedian Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, and movie starlet Linda Darnell. Sound and picture quality varies from very good to mediocre. Some of this footage should have been left to languish in obscurity (especially those animated shorts), but those old enough to remember Pearl Harbor might enjoy it. An optional purchase for public libraries. Aud: P. (S. Rees)