Merton of the Movies (1924 film)

Merton of the Movies
1924 movie poster
Directed byJames Cruze
Written byWalter Woods (scenario)
Based on1922 novel Merton of the Movies by Harry Leon Wilson
1922 play by George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly
Produced byAdolph Zukor
Jesse Lasky
StarringGlenn Hunter
Viola Dana
CinematographyKarl Brown
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • November 3, 1924 (1924-11-03)
Running time
80 minutes; 8 reels (7,655 feet)
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Merton of the Movies is a 1924 American comedy film directed by James Cruze, written by Walter Woods, and starring Glenn Hunter and Viola Dana. It is based on 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.[1][2]

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".[1]

It was remade in 1932 (as Make Me a Star) and again in 1947.[2]

Plot

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.

Cast

Preservation

In February of 2021, Merton of the Movies was cited by the National Film Preservation Board on their Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films list and is therefore presumed lost.[3][4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Hischak, Thomas S. (2012). American Literature on Stage and Screen: 525 Works and Their Adaptations. McFarland. p. 144. ISBN 978-0786468423. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Merton of the Movies". afi.com. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  3. ^ "7,200 Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films (1912-29)" (PDF). National Film Preservation Board. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  4. ^ "Merton of the Movies". Silent Era. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
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