ca. 1942

During World War II Irene was one of the charter members of the Hollywood Commitee, which organized the film industry's efforts to entertain the troops.

Here she is pictured in practice, supported by Merle Oberon, Constance Bennett - who had a good singing voice herself - and Hoagy Carmichael at the piano. But Miss Dunne did not only sing: 

Irene Dunne 'Roughs It' With Soldiers

By Robin Coons

PHOENIX, Ariz. --Notes from our Phoenix scrap-book:

A magazine wanted pictures of Irene Dunne "roughing it" in the wilds of Arizona. Miss Dunne's representative escorted the cameraman to the quiet elegance of the Arizona Biltmore, where early-to-bed Miss Dunne was getting away from it all, including her movie companions who bunked in town at the Adams and Westward Ho. On location Miss Dunne's "roughing it" was confined to the simple luxury of her trailer-dressing room. But the Dunne seclusion was broken voluntarily for a big army party. "I want to do more than sing," she said. "The boys can hear me sing for two-bits at any movie house. I'll dance with them." And she did, for hours, proving a stamina developed by her movie dances with Ralph Bellamy...

(Big Spring Daily Herald, March 11. 1942)