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Movie review of Merton of the Movies (1947), starring Red Skelton, Virginia O’Brien

In Merton of the Movies, Red Skelton plays the role of Gil Merton, a star-struck movie usher in Tinkerton, Kansas in 1915, a man who dreams of becoming a great dramatic actor in silent movies. Despite his mail-order diploma from the “famous” Budolph School of Dramatic Arts, Gil is going nowhere fast, until he’s fired from his job as movie usher and ineptly prevents a robbery at the box office, imitating the screen antics of his movie hero, Lawrence Rupert. As a publicity stunt, Rupert invites Merton to Hollywood, where the star-struck Merton keeps trying to tell Rupert how much he thinks of him, only to be interrupted by the various public relations people. Afterward, Merton is left on his own; rather than returning to Kansas, Merton decides to stay in Hollywood, and become a great dramatic actor.

After spending much time having doors slammed in his face, Merton runs into Phyllis Montague (played by the beautiful and talented Virginia O’Brien), a stunt woman and bit actress, who offers him the opportunity to see a scene being filmed that night starring Beulah Baxter (Gloria Graham). There’s a very funny scene where Merton, turned away by a security guard, goes to a nearby phone booth and calls the security guard, imitating a director, and “inviting” Mr. Merton to come back. He does so, and watches the famous movie actress, Beulah Baxter, filming a dangerous scene - “she does all her own stunts!” - only to see Phyllis do the stunt work. It’s a sweet scene, as Merton jumps into the water to save “Miss Baxter” only to remember that he can’t swim! Phyllis rescues him, and they dry off while they talk, resulting in them becoming closer, Merton becoming a little less naive, and Phyllis finally getting a starring role.

Merton is working nights at the “Goodfellows Club” to provide for himself—a hilarious non-speaking scene as Red/Merton has to work in a room for older gentlemen without making a sound, until he drops a cascade of light bulbs, and is fired. Merton is on the verge of giving up, when he is given a chance to have a small role on-screen - and he fails miserably, and hilariously. Later, various studio people watch his outtakes, and are rolling in the aisles laughing—he isn’t a very good dramatic actor, but he has a natural talent for comedy. When Lawrence Rupert becomes unavailable to film his movie, Phyllis recommends Merton to take his place, turning the movie into a comedy.

The idea is a success, but everyone has to keep Merton in the dark, since he would never burlesque his hero, Rupert—and he’s funniest when he’s trying to be serious.

Merton of the Movies is a very funny film, reminiscent of Singing in the Rain without the music. Red Skelton plays a very sweet, naive, star-struck character, that the audience rapidly roots for; and as his love interest, Virginia O’Brien plays a likable, tough-as-nails character, whom Merton gradually gets to soften. It’s a very nice interaction between the two, making it a romantic comedy that I truly enjoyed watching. Merton of the Movies has become one of my favorite Red Skelton movies, after the Whistling in Brooklyn series—it’s a pity that it’s not available on DVD. I rate it 4 clowns out of 5.

Funny movie quotes from Merton of the Movies starring Red Skelton, Virginia O’Brien

Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): (reading a letter from the Pudolph School of Acting) “It is apparent that you definitely have a face.”

Phyllis Montague (Virginia O’Brien): Are you new here?
Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): Does it show?
Phyllis Montague (Virginia O’Brien): Well ... not in anyplace you can fix.

(at the studio cafeteria)
Phyllis Montague (Virginia O’Brien): Hey, Trooper.
Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): Mighty crowded, ain’t it?
Phyllis Montague (Virginia O’Brien): Over here. (walks to a table filled with cowboy actors) You shoulda tried Big R’s, they’re shooting a Western today—Custer’s Last Stand.
Cowboy: Come on! (all the cowboys leave, the table’s now empty)
Phyllis Montague (Virginia O’Brien): Pull up a chair.

Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): I’m a graduate of the Pudolph School. Mr. Pudolph himself says I’ve got a face.
Phyllis Montague (Virginia O’Brien): Well, he’s a very shrewd man.

Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): Mr. Hubank, it’s a call for you from your house - it’s on fire.
Mr. Hubanks: Which one?
Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): The one with the doors and the windows.

Beulah Baxter (Gloria Grahame): Do I really have to go in a bird’s nest?
Director: Crow’s nest, darling.
Beulah Baxter (Gloria Grahame): Well, if there are any crows in it, I’m leaving!

Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): He said, “My hand and my heart go out to the young actor.”
Phyllis Montague (Virginia O’Brien): Yeah, but his hand is usually doubled up.

Director Von Strutt: Remember, you are calm, sure of yourself, cold as ice.
Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): As calm as ice, got it.

Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): Where’s the soiree?
Butler: I believe she’s in the drawing room.

Beulah Baxter (Gloria Grahame): I want to know all about you, from the beginning.
Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton):I was born quite young, I was only a baby.

Beulah Baxter (Gloria Grahame): Not that way. [opens champagne with a ‘pop’] see?
Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): What do they put in that stuff, gunpowder?
Beulah Baxter (Gloria Grahame): It’s made out of grapes, like fruit juice.

Beulah Baxter (Gloria Grahame): You let him relax if he wants to, he’s, well he’s brain weary!
Phyllis Montague (Virginia O’Brien): Yeah? Well, I’m not!

Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): I’ve got what Mr. Dingwitty died of.
Phyllis Montague (Virginia O’Brien): What’s that?
Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): Elephants. He started off with one, then there were two, then a whole herd of them crushed him in a clothes closet. Oh, that fruit juice that Miss Baxter gave me, she said it only had Novacaine in it, I bet it was alcohol.
Phyllis Montague (Virginia O’Brien): I wouldn’t be surprised.

Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage (Red Skelton): Phillis, you’ve been more than a mother to me. More than an uncle, even.

Trivia for Merton of the Movies, starring Red Skelton and Virginia O’Brien

This was Virginia O’Brien’s final starring role and the last film she made for MGM. After this she had small roles in two later films but otherwise retired from the screen.
Virginia O’Brien did all of her own stunt work.

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