33 years earlier, Merton Gill (Red Skelton) is a country bumpkin from Kansas. He accidentally becomes a hero which is attributed to his fandom to Hollywood star Lawrence Rupert (Leon Ames). He is invited to Hollywood. After the required publicity, he is given a train ticket home. Only he refuses to go home and struggles to make it in the pictures. He befriends Hollywood veteran Phyllis Montague (Virginia O'Brien). He gets hired to act opposite his favorite movie star Beulah Baxter (Gloria Grahame). He thinks that it's a serious story, but he's being set up to be the butt of the joke.
This is based on a book with a couple of previous adaptations. I like Red Skelton for this character. He does clueless well and with good humor. The kissing scene is actually very sweet and cute. It's not the hottest chemistry, but there is a virginal niceness to the pairing. The ending is a little weak, but it is good that he accepts his comedic turn. It does feel like the last act went through the blender and chopped to bits. It may explain the short running time.
This is based on a book with a couple of previous adaptations. I like Red Skelton for this character. He does clueless well and with good humor. The kissing scene is actually very sweet and cute. It's not the hottest chemistry, but there is a virginal niceness to the pairing. The ending is a little weak, but it is good that he accepts his comedic turn. It does feel like the last act went through the blender and chopped to bits. It may explain the short running time.