Johnny Doughboy is a 1942 film directed by John H. Auer for Republic Pictures and starring Jane Withers, and featuring cameos by numerous former child stars. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Musical Score.
Pennys first test comes shortly after her arrival, with the visit of TheMinus Club, a group of former child stars who have not enjoyed Anns continued success. Included in the group is Johnny Kelly Patrick Brook, Anns former costar and boyfriend. The kids plead with Penny, whom they believe is Ann, to join their Junior Victory Caravan show, with which they want to entertain the troops. Harry signals to Penny that Ann could not get involved with such a project and Penny reluctantly declines. While Penny is settling into her life as Ann, the real Ann runs out of gas on a mountain road and goes to a nearby house, which is the residence of playwright Oliver Lawrence Henry Wilcoxon. Ann tries to hide her identity so that Oliver will not regard her as a child, and he agrees to let her spend her holiday at his home, with his housekeeper Mammy Etta McDaniel as chaperone. Ann develops a crush on the charming writer, while Penny spends more time with TheMinus Club. After viewing their show, Penny really believes in the kids, but must deflate their hopes by saying that she is above such amateurish endeavors.Disillusioned by Hollywood scheming, Penny decides to return home, but Biggy reveals Anns whereabouts and suggests that Penny consult her about the show. Penny rounds up the gang, and Johnny drives them to Lawrences home. Ann is shocked by Pennys appearance, but quickly asserts that she and Oliver are practically engaged, and that she has given up film work for the theater. Oliver overhears their conversation and realizes the seriousness of Anns crush on him. He tells Penny not to give up hope, then sends for his daughter Jennifer Joline Westbrook. Oliver tells Ann that Jennifer is the woman in his life, and Ann, believing that Jennifer is his girl friend, runs outside. There she meets Johnny, who thinks that her tearful mien is because she wants to do the show but cannot because of her own career pressures. Johnny tells her how swell he thinks she is, and Ann reali
Source: Wikipedia