Merton of the Movies (1924 film)

Merton of the Movies
1924 movie poster
Directed by	James Cruze
Produced by	Adolph Zukor Jesse Lasky
Written by	Walter Woods (scenario)
Based on	novel Merton of the Movies by Harry Leon Wilson play by George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly
Starring	Glenn Hunter Viola Dana
Cinematography	Karl Brown
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	November 3, 1924
Running time	80 minutes; 8 reels(7,655 feet)
Country	USA
Language	Silent..English

Merton of the Movies is a 1924 comedy film directed by James Cruze, written by Walter Woods, and starring Glenn Hunter and Viola Dana. It is based on the in the George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly 1922 play of the same name, which in turn was based on Harry Leon Wilson's novel, also titled Merton of the Movies.

Glenn Hunter had originated the role of Merton Gill in the Broadway play and reprised his role in this film. Since the play had depended on funny dialogue, the movie (being silent) was opened up and a good deal of slapstick used instead. Thomas Hischak described the result as "uneven" although "Hunter still pleases and there are some droll performances by the supporting cast".

The film is now considered a lost film. It was remade in 1932 (as Make Me a Star) and again in 1947.

Merton is an aspiring movie actor. He is a terrible actor but when the movie executives see how funny his overacting is, they cast him in a comedy, but tell him that he's acting in a drama.

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