The story follows a small-town movie theater usher named Merton Gill, who dreams of becoming a famous silent film actor. Merton's naive and idealistic nature leads him to Hollywood, where he faces a series of comedic misadventures and misunderstandings. Despite his lack of talent and experience, Merton's earnestness and sincerity inadvertently land him a role in a slapstick comedy, where he becomes an accidental star. Through his journey, Merton learns about the realities of the film industry and discovers that success can come in unexpected forms.
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