Act One: An Autobiography

🔹 Author: Moss Hart

🔹 Publisher: Secker & Warburg

🔹 Edition: First Edition, 1960

🔹 Binding: Hardcover

🔹 Pages: 444

🔹 Size: 6 × 9 inches

🔹 Language: English

Written with warmth, wit, and extraordinary honesty, Act One: An Autobiography is the unforgettable memoir of renowned playwright and director Moss Hart. Originally published in 1959 and issued by Secker & Warburg in this 1960 first edition, the book offers an intimate account of Hart’s early life and his determined pursuit of a career in the theatre.

Beginning with his childhood in the Bronx and Brooklyn, Hart vividly recalls the hardships of growing up in a struggling family and the dreams that sustained him through difficult times. His passion for the stage, inspired in part by his beloved Aunt Kate, gradually led him into the world of writing and theatre. The memoir follows his years of persistence, disappointments, and relentless effort before achieving recognition on Broadway.

Filled with colorful personalities and fascinating glimpses into the theatrical world of the 1920s and 1930s, the book provides a memorable portrait of artistic ambition and creative struggle. Hart’s encounters with producers, actors, and collaborators, particularly his partnership with George S. Kaufman, reveal the excitement and uncertainty behind the making of successful plays. Throughout the narrative, the author combines humor and emotion, creating a deeply human story about perseverance and the pursuit of dreams.

More than simply a memoir of theatrical success, Act One is a story of determination, hope, and self-belief. Its lively style and vivid storytelling have made it one of the most admired autobiographies in American literature, earning lasting recognition among readers and theatre enthusiasts alike. The book was a finalist for the 1960 National Book Award and later inspired both a film and a stage adaptation.

This first edition hardcover contains 444 pages and is presented in a handsome 6 × 9 inch format, making it an attractive volume for readers and collectors of literary memoirs and theatre history.

• Written by Moss Hart
• Published by Secker & Warburg
• First Edition, 1960
• Hardcover binding
• 444 pages
• Size: 6 × 9 inches
• Language: English
• Classic autobiography of a Broadway playwright
• Rich in theatre history and personal recollections
• Ideal for literature lovers and collectors

🔹 Collector’s Note

This 1960 first edition hardcover of Act One: An Autobiography is a highly desirable volume for collectors of literary memoirs and theatre history. Combining vivid storytelling with a fascinating account of Broadway’s golden age, it remains one of the finest autobiographies ever written about life in the theatre.