The Love Hypothesis
2026 · Romance · Comedy
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Film / 1947
Merton of the Movies
Directed by
Robert Alton
In 1915, Kansas theatre usher Merton Gill is a rabid silent-movie fan. When he brings Mammoth Studios free publicity by imitating star Lawrence Rupert's heroics, they bring him to Hollywood to generate another headline; he thinks he'll get a movie contract. Disillusioned, he haunts the casting offices, where he meets and is consoled by Phyllis Montague, bit player and stunt-woman. When Merton finally gets his "break," though, it's not quite what he envisioned.
The story
In 1915, Kansas theatre usher Merton Gill is a rabid silent-movie fan. When he brings Mammoth Studios free publicity by imitating star Lawrence Rupert's heroics, they bring him to Hollywood to generate another headline; he thinks he'll get a movie contract. Disillusioned, he haunts the casting offices, where he meets and is consoled by Phyllis Montague, bit player and stunt-woman. When Merton finally gets his "break," though, it's not quite what he envisioned.
Cast
Red SkeltonMerton Gill aka Clifford Armytage
Virginia O'BrienPhyllis Montague
Gloria GrahameBeulah Baxter
Leon AmesLawrence Rupert
Alan MowbrayFrank Mulvaney
Charles D. BrownJeff Baird
Hugo HaasVon Strutt - Director
Harry HaydenMr. Gashwiler
Tom TroutMarty
Douglas FowleyPhil
Dick WesselChick
Morris AnkrumGoodfellow's Club Manager (uncredited)
See more cast
King BaggotMan in Audience (uncredited)
William BenedictVon Strutt's Assistant (uncredited)
Oliver BlakeMr. Purdie (uncredited)
Chester ConklinKeystone Kop (uncredited)
Jim DavisVon Strutt's Assistant (uncredited)
Hal K. DawsonGus Blanchard - Agent (uncredited)
Franklyn FarnumMan Raising Theatre Curtain (uncredited)
Mitchell LewisSet Guard (uncredited)
George MagrillGateman - Mammoth Studios (uncredited)
Frank MarloweErnie - Prop Man (uncredited)
Robert Emmett O'ConnorMac - Restaurant Counterman (uncredited)
Constance PurdyLandlady (uncredited)
Gordon RichardsKristen - Beulah's Butler (uncredited)
Tim RyanMammoth Studio's Night guard (uncredited)
Almira SessionsMammoth Studio's Nurse (uncredited)
Celia TraversSecretary (uncredited)
Mary TreenGladys (uncredited)
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