Merton of the Movies

Seeing both Stu Erwin and Red Skelton essay the role of Merton Gill in two vastly different ways makes me now more curious than ever about what Glenn Hunter's performance on stage and on the silent screen was like. Did Hunter lean more to Erwin or Skelton or did he have a unique interpretation all his own. As his 1924 film version of Merton Of The Movies is considered lost, we may never know.

We certainly can't go back to the original stage production of Merton Of The Movies for consideration either. With Glenn Hunter in the title role it ran for 392 performances during the 1923-24 season on Broadway and was written by George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly. As in the Erwin version I did not see the acid wit in the script that Kaufman was noted for.

Interpretation is the key to this film, Skelton relied far more on his gift of physical comedy. Unlike the 1932 version which was set in that present era of the early talkies, this Merton Of The Movies was set in the early silent days as the play was. Skelton is Merton Gill who has a degree in theater arts from a correspondence school and armed with that heads to Hollywood to become a serious actor like his idol Leon Ames.

But the man is naturally funny as Red Skelton was in real life. He can't see it though.

Red's got two women in his life, silent era vamp played very nicely by Gloria Grahame and Virginia O'Brien of the deadpan as the girl who loves him for what he is.

Skelton is fine, but Leon Ames may have had his career role as the vain stage actor who thinks film is beneath him though he does it because he's developed a habit of eating. I think Ames borrowed a lot from John Barrymore in how he presents this character. In any event Ames looks like he's having a great old time hamming it up in a role that calls for precisely that.

Red Skelton's version of Merton Of The Movies holds up well though I prefer Stu Erwin's Make Me A Star with its glimpse of the Paramount lot of 1932 and cameos of the various stars working there at the time. It's a timeless story and could use a remake today. As I said when I reviewed Make Me A Star, I think Jim Carrey would be tremendous in the role.

This isn't the best film Red Skelton ever made. That is probably either "The Fuller Brush Man" or maybe even when he was teamed with Fred Astaire in "Three Little Words". However, it is funny enough and very sweet. Skelton plays Merton Gill, an usher from a small town that dreams of making it big in films back in 1914. He unintentionally foils a robbery attempt at the theater where he works and attributes his success to his movie hero, Lawrence Rupert. Rupert's publicist thinks it would be good publicity for Rupert if Gill were invited to Hollywood for a few photos labeling Gill as Rupert's protégé. Unfortunately, Morton believes he really is Rupert's protégé and is disappointed when he is told to take a hike after the publicity campaign is over. He takes several stabs at making it in the movies, but his overacting and clumsiness get him ejected every time. What Morton doesn't know is that what is hideous acting in a drama is perfect for the slapstick comedies of the 1910's, and this leads to his big break. Skelton is perfect as the naive and easily rattled Merton, and Virginia O'Brien is very good as the stunt woman who ends up Merton's protector and love interest.

The original silent version of this film made in 1924 is lost, and one interview with Buster Keaton prior to 1924 had him saying that he would really like to make this film himself. He did in a way. He was an uncredited gag man on this and many of Skelton's other MGM films, and you can see the Keaton touch in several of the gags throughout the film. Recommended if you want to watch something that will make you laugh and also warm your heart.

This is a pleasant little movie starring Red Skelton and Virginia O'Brien as actors in the infancy of the silent era. I enjoyed the film, but I didn't find it as entertaining as the three previous film reviewers.

Both Red Skelton and Virginia O'Brien turned in nice performances; I kept waiting for her to sing at least one song, but it never happened. Gloria Grahame and Leon Ames also were believable in their roles.

The movie was rather predictable and reminds one of Singin' in the Rain in spots.

It is a movie worth checking out, but I won't be watching it again.

"Merton of the Movies" is a Red Skelton movie that sure lacked originality. It's based on the movie by the same name from 1924 and was already remade in 1932. Additionally, the plot bears a very strong resemblance to a Harold Lloyd film from 1932--"Movie Crazy". So, while this 1947 film is nice, it's all terribly familiar. Plus, the Lloyd film was a heck of a lot better.

Skelton plays the title character, Merton Gill--a rube from a small town that thought his path to becoming a movie star was by taking a correspondence course. So, when he wins a trip to Hollywood, he incorrectly assumes it's because of his diploma--but it's really just a publicity stunt. However, he's not deterred and tries to get work as an extra. But he's a clumsy oaf and seems to be out of place in dramas-- until his girlfriend (also an actress) convinces the studio executives to use his terrible footage and just market the films as comedies. Soon, Merton is a star but has no idea everyone is laughing at him. What's next?

This is a rather agreeable film but not much more. Skelton has done better stuff but it's a decent time-passer provided you haven't seen these other films--then it just seems a bit repetitious.

Kansas theater usher (and dramatic acting school graduate!) thwarts a robbery and is brought out to Hollywood by train in the Silent Era strictly for quick publicity; he winds up living on a park bench waiting for an acting job, and finally gets one filling in for his idol, an irresponsible star who's been hitting the bottle. Third film-version of a play by Marc Connelly and George S. Kaufman, based on Harry Leon Wilson's book, now revamped as a comedic vehicle for Red Skelton. Earliest scenes are best, with our dimply, aw-shucks hero politely scheming his way onto movie sets, with amusing results. Slapstick sequence at a high-toned Men's Club seems to belong to a different picture, although the pay-off there is also funny. Runs out of steam towards the end, however Skelton and Virginia O'Brien are a good match. Direction by former-choreographer Robert Alton is quick on its feet, and there are some big laughs in the first hour. **1/2 from ****