The Merry Monahans

The Merry Monahans is a 1944 American comedy-drama musical film directed by Charles Lamont and starring Donald O'Connor, Peggy Ryan and Jack Oakie.

The story is of a vaudeville family trying to make money through hard times. The film features the great song and dance duet with O'Connor and Ryan, "I Hate To Lose You". Film composer Hans J. Salter was nominated for an Academy Award for his score.

Plot
Talented vaudeville family the Monahans have one very big problem in the form of patriarch Pete (Jack Oakie): His heavy alcoholism has gotten the performing clan blacklisted from nearly every significant venue. With little choice but to break away from Pete, his children, Jimmy (Donald O'Connor) and Patsy (Peggy Ryan), devise their own act and take it on the road. The troupe enjoys some success, which motivates Pete to sober up. Hearing of their father's turnaround, they make plans to reunite.

Cast

 * Donald O'Connor as Jimmy Monahan
 * Peggy Ryan as Patsy Monahan
 * Jack Oakie as Pete Monahan
 * Ann Blyth as Sheila DeRoyce
 * Rosemary DeCamp as Lillian Miles, aka Lillian DeRoyce
 * John Miljan as Arnold Pembroke, Has-Been Matinee Idol
 * Gavin Muir as Weldon Laydon, Broadway Talent Scout
 * Isabel Jewell as Rose, aka Rose Monahan, unscrupulous Chorus Girl
 * Ian Wolfe as Clerk
 * Robert Homans as Policeman
 * Marion Martin as Soubrette
 * Lloyd Ingraham as Judge