When Act One first appeared the publishers felt it was one of the warmest, most engrossing—and by far the most revealing—book about the theatre they had ever encountered.  The response of the reviewers and public has borne out this view, and in the short time since its initial appearance Act One has achieved the status of a classic.

The critical acclaim was immediate:

“Moss Hart’s prose is lithe, clean and easy.  He is also hilariously funny.  This is the best book on ‘show business’ as practiced in this country in our time that I have ever read.”—S.N. Behrman, N.Y. Times Book Review

“...We are given the blunt, never bitter truth as Mr. Hart sees the truth, which is with exemplary clarity.  An engrossing, exciting, truly touching book.”—Walter Kerr, N.Y. Herald Tribune Book Review
“Moss Hart has written one of the best memoirs of this or any other theatrical generation.” –Time Magazine

“Act One is a beautifully written work of self-revelation.  It is at once brilliant and amusing.”—John Chapman, Chicago Tribune