Merton of the Movies

<em>Merton of the Movies</em> is a comedy novel written by Harry Leon Wilson, published in the early 20th century. It follows Merton Gill, an aspiring actor from Simsbury, Illinois, who moves to Hollywood with dreams of becoming a serious dramatic artist after completing a correspondence course in acting. The book humorously explores the challenges and absurdities of pursuing fame in the film industry and has been adapted into several films, the most notable being the 1947 version starring Red Skelton.