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.
Red Skelton
as Merton Gill aka Clifford Armytage
Virginia O'Brien
as Phyllis Montague
Gloria Grahame
as Beulah Baxter
Leon Ames
as Lawrence Rupert
Alan Mowbray
as Frank Mulvaney
Charles D. Brown
as Jeff Baird
Hugo Haas
as Von Strutt - Director
Harry Hayden
as Mr. Gashwiler
Tom Trout
as Marty
Douglas Fowley
as Phil
Dick Wessel
as Chick
Morris Ankrum
as Goodfellow's Club Manager (uncredited)