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| Make Me A Star - 1932 |
Coming up next we have 1932's "Make Me A Star", the story of a young man who goes to Hollywood to break into show business. He finds it's harder than he realized.
The film's cast includes Joan Blondell, Stuart Erwin, Zasu Pitts, Ben Turpin, Charles Sellon, Helen Jerome Eddy, George Templeton, Ruth Donnelly, Sam Hardy, Tallulah Bankhead, Maurice Chevalier, Claudette Colbert, Gary Cooper, Fredric March, Jack Oakie, Charles Ruggles, and Sylvia Sidney.
Small town grocery clerk Merton Gill is an aspiring actor who takes acting classes by correspondence course. His dream is to make it big in Hollywood as an actor in Western/cowboy movies. Merton's personal hero is Buck Benson, a big-time Hollywood cowboy.
When his employer gets wind of his acting aspirations, Merton is informed he's got to leave the very next day.
Before going to sleep on his final night in a small town, Merton kneels by his bed and says a prayer, "Oh Lord, please make me a good movie actor. Make me one of the best."
After he makes it to Hollywood, Merton heads over to the movie studio where his idol Buck Benson works. Right away he's impressed when he sees a big star like Maurice Chevalier drive up and walk through the studio gates.
Merton makes his way to the casting office, where he shows off some stills of him doing some acting work. The office isn't thrilled. In fact, they think it's a big joke. However, Merton isn't dissuaded.
He's especially excited when he gets to see his hero, Buck Benson, in the flesh.
For days on end, Merton sits in the casting office hoping for a chance. At first he refuses any part but leads. However, circumstances necessitate that he broaden his jobs by accepting work as an extra. Still, nothing is available.
Seasoned actress Flips Montague, who has spent time talking with Merton, begins to feel badly for him. She goes behind the scenes and orchestrates a bit part for him in an upcoming Buck Benson film.
Merton is over the moon when his name is called and he's offered the small part. He can't wait to show off what he can do.
He knows he's in the big time when he walks out of wardrobe and almost bumps into Gary Cooper and Tallulah Bankhead as they pass by!
Flips escorts Merton to his sound stage. Along the way, she gives him a pep talk and wishes him luck as he begins his movie career.
Sadly, Merton's scenes don't go well. He can't seem to do what he's supposed to do on cue. The director gets fed up and fires him.
Knowing that if he steps off the studio lot he will never be able to get back on, Merton decides to stay there. He sleeps on sets and scrounges for food wherever he can, even boxed lunch leftovers that have been tossed aside. All in the hope of keeping his acting dream alive.
Flips sees him one day looking for food, and Merton tells her the whole sad story.
She takes him for a real meal and tells him a little about the movie making industry. She doesn't think he's got what it takes. Still, Merton tells her he won't give up on his dream. He isn't interested in comedies. He thinks they are low and debase the noble profession of acting. He wants serious roles only.
Knowing that Merton doesn't stand a chance in serious roles, Flips goes to a comedy director and pitches an idea for a Buck Benson Western film comedy spoof. The catch is that they've got to film it in such a way that Merton thinks they are doing a serious film. Flips actually thinks the whole thing could be hysterical and a big money maker for the studio.
So, Flips' plan is put into action. Merton is given the starring role with Flips as his co-star. He acts his heart out.
During a preview of the new film, Merton (now billed professionally as Whoop Ryder) is excited to see such big stars as Charles Ruggles, Jack Oakie, Claudette Colbert, Fredric March, and Sylvia Sidney attending the opening.
However, once the film begins, the audience begins laughing hysterically at the comedy. Merton is sickened to the core when he realizes what kind of a film he's made.
He ducks out of the theater and hopes that no one will notice him. He's completely ashamed.
However, after a talk with Flips, Merton finds out that it takes serious skill to bring comedy out of a dramatic performance. And, he's found someone to share in the joys and sorrows of filmmaking. Merton and Flips embrace as the screen goes dark.
Cast rundown:
Joan Blondell......................................Flips Montague
Stuart Erwin.......................................Merton Gill
Zasu Pitts...........................................Mrs. Scudder
Ben Turpin..........................................Himself
Charles Sellon....................................Mr. Gashwiler
Helen Jerome Eddy..............................Tessie Kearns
George Templeton...............................Buck Benson
Ruth Donnelly.....................................The Countess
Sam Hardy..........................................Jeff Baird
Tallulah Bankhead...............................Herself
Maurice Chevalier................................Himself
Claudette Colbert................................Herself
Gary Cooper.......................................Himself
Fredric March.....................................Himself
Jack Oakie.........................................Himself
Charles Ruggles..................................Himself
Sylvia Sidney.....................................Herself
And that's it for Make Me A Star. This was a remake of a 1924 silent film. It would be remade in 1947 as the film "Merton Of The Movies" starring Red Skelton. This film is actually quite good. There's lots of good dialogue and no shortage of stars for cameos. Ruth Donnelly as "The Countess" is a favorite. Her lines are always funny.
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