

Gopher City Kansas hosts a beauty contest. The winner, Elvira Plunkett, and her mother go to Hollywood. The Chamber of Commerce also provides Elvira with an agent, Gopher City's own Elmer J. Butz. Elmer likes Elvira and the shy Elvira likes him, but Mrs. Plunkett, a formidable woman, has little use for hapless Elmer. On the train west, they meet movie star Larry Mitchell, who takes a shine to Elvira and helps her meet MGM directors once they get to Tinsel Town. Elmer, meanwhile, wants to help Elvira with her career and he also wants to be her man. Movie stardom does come to the Gopher City entourage, but to whom is a surprise. And who will win the lovely Elvira's hand?
Practical Effects
Keaton's physical comedy surviving the sound transition
Production
Rare MGM backstage access with actual directors cameoing

Director
Edward Sedgwick
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Keaton's first sound film and his first MGM talkie after losing creative control—ironic given the plot about studio manipulation.
The 'pre-code' looseness shows in Trixie Friganza's bawdy mother role and jokes about casting couches that Hays Code soon banned.
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