ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Seraherrera The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Richard Chatten The silent era was still barely twenty years ago when this third version of the early 20's Broadway hit (which had then of course been a contemporary subject) was made; and to make the era quainter the action has been moved back to 1915 (Harry Leon Wilson's original novel had been published in 1922), although it makes little difference, and one doesn't really get much authentic flavour of silent days.Five years later came Hollywood's definitive pastiche of Hollywood during the twenties - 'Singin' in the Rain' - and the cast of 'Merton of the Movies' even includes (playing Leo Ames' manager) Douglas Fowley, who played the hapless silent director coming to terms with the microphone in the later film. Blonde movie star Beulah Baxter proves a much more likeable person than the ghastly Lina Lamont immortalised by Jean Hagen in 'Singin' in the Rain'; and scarily staring-eyed Virginia O'Brien might have made a more convincing silent-screen vamp than baby-faced Gloria Grahame during her brief mid-forties incarnation here as a blonde. What Miss O'Brien sees in that gurning galoot Red Skelton is anybody's guess, but she makes an interesting heroine, and the film is pleasant enough if superficial.

MartinHafer "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.

moonspinner55 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 ****

Jade-16 Today as part of a Red Skelton tribute on his birthday TCM showed this among many of his other movies, and I'd like to say that even though I only tuned in in time to see only half of this movie, Merton was no disappointment! You're not exactly splitting your sides, but you are entertained and amused as long as you are watching it. Skelton makes it look so easy, but achieving what he was able to while keeping his comedy clean as a whistle is pure genius and well worth watching!