Merton of the Movies_
"RED SKELTON'S HOWLING HIT ABOUT HOLLYWOOD!"
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.
Starring
Red Skelton, Virginia O'Brien, Gloria Grahame
Updated Feb 16, 2026
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Year context
Merton of the Movies was released 79 years ago in 1947.
Overview
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 hero...
Merton of the Movies is a Comedy, Romance film with a runtime of 1h 22m.
CAST (20)
Red Skelton
Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage
Virginia O'Brien
Phyllis Montague
Gloria Grahame
Beulah Baxter
Leon Ames
Lawrence Rupert
Alan Mowbray
Frank Mulvaney
Charles D. Brown
Jeff Baird
Hugo Haas
Von Strutt - Director
Harry Hayden
Mr. Gashwiler
Tom Trout
Marty
Douglas Fowley
Phil
Dick Wessel
Chick
Morris Ankrum
Goodfellow's Club Manager (uncredited)
King Baggot
Man in Audience (uncredited)
William Benedict
Von Strutt's Assistant (uncredited)
Oliver Blake
Mr. Purdie (uncredited)
Chester Conklin
Keystone Kop (uncredited)
Jim Davis
Von Strutt's Assistant (uncredited)
Hal K. Dawson
Gus Blanchard - Agent (uncredited)
Franklyn Farnum
Man Raising Theatre Curtain (uncredited)
Mitchell Lewis
Set Guard (uncredited)
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Merton of the Movies about?
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.
How long is Merton of the Movies?
Merton of the Movies has a runtime of 82 minutes (1h 22m).
Who stars in Merton of the Movies?
The cast of Merton of the Movies includes Red Skelton, Virginia O'Brien, Gloria Grahame, Leon Ames, Alan Mowbray.
What is the rating of Merton of the Movies?
Merton of the Movies has a rating of 6.8 out of 10 based on 4 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (2)
Comedy
Romance
