During World War II, Walt Disney and his staff displayed their patriotic side in many forms. The following item from my collection represents one of the many home front items produced at the Studio during the war. This program, and one other version, were stock images produced for the Masquer's, a Hollywood social club composed of Hollywood's elite that was formed in May 1925.
During the war, members of the Masquer's club traveled throughout California, entertaining men and women in the Armed Forces. Some of the club's more famous members included Buster Keaton, Sid Grauman, Gene Autry, Jack Warner, Lauren Bacall, Phil Silvers, Tom Mix, Humphrey Bogart, Louis B. Mayer, Jesse Lasky, Lionel Barrymore, Joseph Schenck, Lou Costello, Joe E. Brown, Spencer Tracy, and Shirley Temple.
The illustration on the cover of this program was created by Disney artist Hank Porter, as were the inside and back cover drawings.
This program was for an event hosted in honour of the 441 Base Unit and marked the 72nd such function hosted by the Masquer's. This dinner and show took place on August 19, 1944, in The Masquer's Club, in Hollywood.
This program belonged to Lorraine Krueger, an actress and tap dancer who appeared in 30 movies over the course of her career, in addition to 281 camp shows during WW II.
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