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Make Me a Star

  • 19321932
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
536
YOUR RATING
Make Me a Star (1932)
ComedyDramaRomance
Merton Gill is longing to become a cowboy actor and leaves his hometown to try his luck in Hollywood, but there his acting ability is regarded as non-existent. Actress Flips gives him a chan... Read allMerton Gill is longing to become a cowboy actor and leaves his hometown to try his luck in Hollywood, but there his acting ability is regarded as non-existent. Actress Flips gives him a chance in a bit part, but he fails in that; however, the way he fails makes her think that he ... Read allMerton Gill is longing to become a cowboy actor and leaves his hometown to try his luck in Hollywood, but there his acting ability is regarded as non-existent. Actress Flips gives him a chance in a bit part, but he fails in that; however, the way he fails makes her think that he could be a good comedian. She persuades the studio to put him in a western parody, not tel... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
536
YOUR RATING
    • William Beaudine
  • Writers
    • Sam Mintz(screen play)
    • Walter DeLeon(screen play)
    • Arthur Kober(screen play)
  • Stars
    • Joan Blondell
    • Stuart Erwin
    • Zasu Pitts
    • William Beaudine
  • Writers
    • Sam Mintz(screen play)
    • Walter DeLeon(screen play)
    • Arthur Kober(screen play)
  • Stars
    • Joan Blondell
    • Stuart Erwin
    • Zasu Pitts
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 20User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos38

    Stuart Erwin and Ben Turpin in Make Me a Star (1932)
    Stuart Erwin in Make Me a Star (1932)
    Stuart Erwin, Florence Roberts, and Charles Sellon in Make Me a Star (1932)
    Ben Turpin in Make Me a Star (1932)
    Stuart Erwin and Charles Sellon in Make Me a Star (1932)
    Joan Blondell and Stuart Erwin in Make Me a Star (1932)
    Joan Blondell and Stuart Erwin in Make Me a Star (1932)
    Joan Blondell in Make Me a Star (1932)
    Joan Blondell and Stuart Erwin in Make Me a Star (1932)
    Oscar Apfel and Stuart Erwin in Make Me a Star (1932)
    Stuart Erwin in Make Me a Star (1932)
    Joan Blondell and Stuart Erwin in Make Me a Star (1932)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Joan Blondell
    Joan Blondell
    • 'Flips' Montague
    Stuart Erwin
    Stuart Erwin
    • Merton Gill
    Zasu Pitts
    Zasu Pitts
    • Mrs. Scudder
    • (as ZaSu Pitts)
    Ben Turpin
    Ben Turpin
    • Ben Turpin
    Charles Sellon
    Charles Sellon
    • Mr. Gashwiler
    Florence Roberts
    Florence Roberts
    • Mrs. Gashwiler
    Helen Jerome Eddy
    Helen Jerome Eddy
    • Tessie Kearns
    Arthur Hoyt
    Arthur Hoyt
    • Hardy Powell
    George Templeton
    • Buck Benson
    • (as Dink Templeton)
    Ruth Donnelly
    Ruth Donnelly
    • The Countess
    Sam Hardy
    Sam Hardy
    • Jeff Baird
    Oscar Apfel
    Oscar Apfel
    • Henshaw
    Eddie Baker
    Eddie Baker
    • Studio Workman
    • (uncredited)
    Tallulah Bankhead
    Tallulah Bankhead
    • Tallulah Bankhead
    • (uncredited)
    Billy Bletcher
    Billy Bletcher
    • Actor in 'Wide Open Spaces'
    • (uncredited)
    Clive Brook
    Clive Brook
    • Clive Brook
    • (uncredited)
    A.S. 'Pop' Byron
    A.S. 'Pop' Byron
    • Majestic Studio Gate Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Maurice Chevalier
    Maurice Chevalier
    • Self
    • (uncredited)
      • William Beaudine
    • Writers
      • Sam Mintz(screen play)
      • Walter DeLeon(screen play)
      • Arthur Kober(screen play)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Many top Paramount stars are seen in connection with the fictional Majestic motion picture studio, including Maurice Chevalier (outside the studio gates), Gary Cooper and Tallulah Bankhead (walking around the studio lot), and Jack Oakie, Charles Ruggles, Clive Brook, Claudette Colbert, Fredric March, and Sylvia Sidney (attending the premiere of "Wide Open Spaces").
    • Goofs
      When Flips takes Merton to breakfast, the waitress sets a glass of orange juice down on his left, but in the next shot it is on his right.
    • Quotes

      Mr. Gashwiler: Well, that's the best idea we've had since the Saturday after Good Friday.

    • Connections
      Version of Merton of the Movies (1924)
    • Soundtracks
      California Here I Come
      (1924) (uncredited)

      Music by Joseph Meyer

      Played during the opening and end credits

      Played when Merton takes the train to Hollywood

    User reviews20

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Bless Turner Classic Movies
    Once again TCM comes to the rescue of a forgotten gem. I agree with the posters here who comment on the interesting mix of pathos and comedy in this film. The film is truly touching in a way that could not come across today. Why is that? I think that nowadays it is an either-or : either you are a comedy or you are going for pathos. The trick of balancing both seems to be lost.

    There is additional pleasure in seeing Paramount stars of the times in walk-ons in the scenes on the lot or at the disastrous/successful preview. Look quickly and you can see Gary Cooper, Claudette Colbert, Tallulah Bankhead among others.

    Joan Blondell is excellent in her specialty, playing the tough cookie with a huge sentimental streak. I found the sweetness of the comedy in the scenes back home in Simsbury absolutely refreshing. Not a touch of cynicism even though these characters are so clearly the objects of humor.

    Catch this when you can. I just checked the Turner schedule for the next three months and it doesn't seem to be on.
    helpful•24
    0
    • MJBRLD
    • Dec 24, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 1, 1932 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 26 minutes
      • Black and White

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