Vaudeville, Hollywood, and the Radio during World War II: The Intermedial Politics of Variety Acts

The role of entertainment in the U.S. World War II propaganda seems well known, but media connections are rarely tackled. This article studies way Hollywood musicals contributed to American war at confluence various featuring musical numbers where stars appeared as themselves: radio and stage vaudeville. era called for an intensification links between media, notably involvement personalities on radio. In parallel, more movies included kind variety acts then featured or stages, tours soldiers. Films such Canteen were not only Hollywood’s contributions national effort also part intricate intermedial network that benefited film industry which proclaimed itself authentic heir old-time