Thomas Hischak described Merton of the Movies as a "light-hearted romp" with characters "cartoonish but endearing".
[2] According to American novelist Gertrude Stein, Merton of the Movies is "the best description of America that has ever been done".
Small-town bumpkin Merton Gill fantasizes about joining the glamorous world of silent films, and takes a correspondence school course in acting.
He is befriended by comedienne and stuntwoman Flips Montague, who helps him land a bit part, which he bungles so badly with his comically inept acting that the studio is inspired to use him for comedy.
Gill becomes a comedy star, delivering lines that he thinks are serious straight drama.