Moving and Funny and Memorable
One of most moving and joyous books I ever read. The story is of Moss Hart, from his poverty-stricken youth to the very brink of his success as a Broadway playwright.
That such a great career as a writer and director could have been achieved by this scrawny, prickly, affected boy from New York's tenement slums is both the story of a great American Dream come true and also the story of raw talent and sheer determination.
Many have argued since the publication of this book in 1959 that Hart padded the story, conveniently omitted what didn't fit his story, etc. But regardless of his convenient memory (for dramatic effect), the story of his youth, his breaking into show business, his amazing luck in meeting and teaming with George S. Kaufman, the heart and soul of the man are there on the pages of this exceptional memoir.
Hart not only tells us about himself and his family, he also gives us an insider's view of Broadway in the 1920s and 30s when it was the center of the entertainment world. Hart is frank in showing us his ?neighborhood not of carriages and hansom cabs, but of dray wagons, pushcarts, and immigrants.? But in the pulsing city of his youth was also the pulsing heart of Broadway.
Hart tells us about his misadventures as an office boy (called "Mouse" by Mr. Pitou) in the office of a booking agent, his years as social director in the Catskills, his failed attempts at writing, and his storied teaming with Kaufman and their first great hit play together, "Once in a Lifetime."
The book is fabulously detailed in its stories of the great names of the day, ranging from Edna Ferber to Harpo Marx. But the core of the story is Hart himself. I can't think of another memoir or biography in which I felt such a close connection with the subject. Hart's wit is, often as not, aimed squarely at himself. Looking back over the decades Hart recognizes in that brazen scrawny kid all his own foibles, fears, and ridiculous airs.
And even when he tells the funny stories of working with the obsessive Kaufman (and his lousy brownies), the words are filled with immense love and gratitude. Hart always recognized great talent and never shies away from giving due credit to those who helped him.
Hart went on to write a dazzling string of hit Broadway plays and movies ("Gentlemen's Agreement," "A Star Is Born") as well as direct--most notably "My Fair Lady." At the time of his death in 1961at the age of 57, Moss Hart was at the height of his creative powers. He had won the Tony Award for directing "My Fair Lady" and had won Oscar nominations for several of his scripts. He very likely planned an ACT TWO after the surprising success of ACT ONE. He was married to Kitty Carlisle and had 2 children when he died. He had so many more stories to tell.
The story of Moss Hart is timeless. His is the story of anyone who ever felt unloved, neglected, or unable to connect with the world. Luckily for us all, his white-hot wit and talent found its way out of the slums and onto the pages and stages of the world.
A must read for theater fans; a must read for just about anyone.
