Merton of the Movies

'Merton of the Movies' is a comic novel by Harry Leon Wilson. The story follows small-town bumpkin Merton Gill who fantasizes about joining the glamorous world of silent films, and takes a correspondence school course in acting. He travels to Hollywood, where he is disillusioned by the foibles of his screen idols. 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.