Vintage original "De Luxe Theatre Edition" hardback book with a partial dust jacket from the Hollywood-themed theatrical comedy, MERTON OF THE MOVIES. Based on the novel by Harry Leon Wilson and the play by Marc Connelley and George S. Kaufman, Merton Gill (Glenn Hunter) dreams of being a star of western films in Hollywood. When the filmmakers there see his acting style, they get their own idea of how to use his talent.

This hardback "De Luxe Theatre Edition" book was published to coincide with the release of the US theatrical production (it was made into a silent film in 1924 by Paramount Pictures, which is now considered a lost film). Noted on the title page as a "De Luxe Theatre Edition," it contains 6 full-page black-and-white photographic illustrations from the film with "facsimile autographs of Glenn Hunter and Florence Nash, who created the leading roles at the Cort Theatre production." This example also includes the original dust jacket, but the back cover is missing (only the front cover and spine are present).

What makes this example so desirable is that it was inscribed in black ink by Glenn Hunter ("with best wishes - for Rosemary Street - from - Glenn Hunter"). Rosemary Street was the wife of author Julian Street. In addition to Glenn Hunter's inscription, there are three (3) 4x5 in. black-and-white candid photographs of Hunter and Julian Street affixed to the inside of the book. Affixed to the inside of the front cover is a candid shot of the film's star, Glenn Hunter. On the right side of the following 2 blank pages is a photograph of Hunter with author Julian Street; following that page are facsimile signatures of Hunter and actress Florence Nash; on the right side of the following 2 blank pages is a second example of the prior photo of Hunter with Julian Street; on the right side of the following 2 pages is the actual newspaper in which this photograph appears, which was tipped-in along the left edge and can be raised to see the verso, after which is the book's title page. As previously indicated, the back cover of the dust jacket is missing. The front of the jacket and the spine have a horizontal fold through the center and is overall fine-condition. The book itself exhibits various signs of wear around the boards and is in overall good+ condition. Silent Cinema Inc. (the seller here) personally guarantees the authenticity of Glenn Hunter's inscription and signature.

Merton of the Movies is a 1922 satirical comedy play by George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly. It was adapted from the novel of the same name by Harry Leon Wilson. The play, a satire of the film industry, follows Merton Gill, a store clerk who dreams of being a movie star. He saves his small salary and (having studied acting via correspondence school) goes to Hollywood to haunt casting offices. He is befriended by Flips, a stuntwoman. Gill gets a part as an extra, but his appearance is a disaster. But Flips notes that Gill has an uncanny resemblance to matinée idol Harold Parmalee and gets her pal Jeff Baird (modeled on Mack Sennett) to star Gill in spoofs of Parmalee, where Gill's earnest overacting draws unintended laughs. But Gill, who is dedicated to serious drama, can't be let in on the joke.

 

Merton of the Movies opened on Broadway at the Cort Theatre on November 13, 1922. The title role was played by Glenn Hunter, Florence Nash played Flips Montague, and John Webster played Jeff Baird. Hugh Ford staged the play. Heywood Broun called it "The most amusing show of the season" while the New York Times declared it "A delight in every way", and the production was a considerable success, running for 392 performances and closing on October 20, 1923. Merton of the Movies has been revived on a few occasions. A 1974 production at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis starred Michael Moriarty. A production was staged in 1977 at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. John Rando directed a 1998 production at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. A 1990 production in Austin was staged at the John Henry Faulk Living Theatre. In 2013, Playbill selected Merton of the Movies as one of the five best plays about Hollywood. The play (rather than the novel) was used as the basis for the 1924 silent film Merton of the Movies, in which Glenn Hunter reprised his Broadway role. It was also the basis for the 1947 version, Merton of the Movies, starring Red Skelton.