Merton of the Movies

The read

It runs a compact 1h 22m.

Synopsis

In 1915, Kansas theatre usher Merton Gill is a rabid silent-movie fan. When he brings Mammoth Studios free publicity by imitating star Lawrence Rupert's heroics, they bring him to Hollywood to generate another headline; he thinks he'll get a movie contract. Disillusioned, he haunts the casting offices, where he meets and is consoled by Phyllis Montague, bit player and stunt-woman. When Merton finally gets his "break," though, it's not quite what he envisioned.

Ratings

Key crew

• Robert AltonDirector
• Lou BreslowWriter
• George WellsWriter

Cast

• Red SkeltonMerton Gill aka Clifford Armytage
• Virginia O'BrienPhyllis Montague
• Gloria GrahameBeulah Baxter
• Leon AmesLawrence Rupert
• Alan MowbrayFrank Mulvaney
• Charles D. BrownJeff Baird
• Hugo HaasVon Strutt - Director
• Harry HaydenMr. Gashwiler
• Tom TroutMarty
• Douglas FowleyPhil
• Dick WesselChick
• Morris AnkrumGoodfellow's Club Manager (uncredited)

Stills

Themes