Moss Hart was born today in writing history, October 24. Celebrate the playwright’s birthday by learning more about his life and contributions to the theater. Aspiring writers should also use this opportunity as a writing exercise. Look for inspiration today in writing history.
Today in Writing: October 24 – Moss Hart’s Birthday
Moss Hart was born on October 24, 1904, and is best known for his screenplay, A Star is Born. Hart’s contributions to theater, both as a writer and director, would see him become president of the Dramatists Guild of America for nearly a decade. Find your inspiration in the stories, works, and words in this installment of Today in Writing: October 24.
Writing Prompts for Today In Writing: October 24
Please take this opportunity to learn more about Moss Hart and his contributions to the theater. The dramatist’s work remains in the public eye. The progress he made in the field helped usher in contemporary theater.
What led Moss Hart to write? Where did the inspiration for his ideas come from? And what helped the writer create his literary style? Find inspiration about Hart, learn more details about his life, and write!
Moss Hart Biography
Moss Hart was born in New York City, New York, on October 24, 1904. His parents, Barnett Hart and Lillian Solomon, were English-born Jewish immigrants. The family lived in relative poverty.
An Early Interest in the Theater
Moss Hart’s interest in the theater began with his Aunt Kate. She would take the young playwright to see performances, which inspired his writing aspirations. Although the two had a solid relationship, Kate would have a falling out with her family. Aunt Kate became eccentric and erratic, committing arson, vandalism, and intimidation. The two would end contact, but Hart’s interest in theater had already been ignited.
Moss Hart Writing Career
At 17, Moss Hart began working in theater as an office boy for producer Augustus Pitou. In the following year, Hart wrote his first play. However, it was considered a flop. The aspiring writer would work as a director for amateur theater groups for several years.
In 1929, Moss Hart wrote the draft of Once in a Lifetime. The play was a satire of Hollywood and written with fellow playwright George S. Kaufman. The play was released and became a success in 1930.
Over the next decade, the duo would collaborate and produce several comedic plays. Moss Hart continued to author plays on his own and with Kaufman. The two ended their writing relationship in 1940.
Hart continued to write. In addition to plays, the author also wrote screenplays, musicals, and an autobiography. In his later years, Moss Hart would return to Broadway, where he would receive renown as a director.
Death
Moss Hart passed away on December 20, 1961, from a heart attack. He was 57. Hart would be inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1972.
7 Moss Hart Quotes
1. I have had the irreplaceable opportunity of learning my profession with the proper tools, the most important of which is not a pencil or a typewriter, but the necessary time to think before using them.
2. How many of us would be willing to settle when we’re young for what we eventually get? All those plans we make…what happens to them? It’s only a handful of the lucky ones that can look back and say that they even came close.
3. The self-hatred that destroys is the waste of unfulfilled promise.
4. Nobody bores any man as much as an unhappy female.
5. So far as I know, anything worth hearing is not usually uttered at seven o’clock in the morning; and if it is, it will generally be repeated at a more reasonable hour for a larger and more wakeful audience.
6. All the mistakes I ever made were when I wanted to say ‘No’ and said ‘Yes’.
7. Charity in the theater begins and ends with those who have a play opening within a week of one’s own.
Notable Moss Hart Plays
1930 Once In A Lifetime (Kaufman and Hart)
1934 Merrily We Roll Along (Kaufman and Hart)
1936 You Can’t Take It with You (Kaufman and Hart)
1937 I’d Rather Be Right (Kaufman and Hart)
1938 The Fabulous Invalid (Kaufman and Hart)
1939 The American Way (Kaufman and Hart)
1939 The Man Who Came to Dinner (Kaufman and Hart)
1940 George Washington Slept Here (Kaufman and Hart)
1941 Lady in the Dark, with Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin
1943 Winged Victory
1944 Winged Victory
1947 Gentleman’s Agreement
1948 Light Up the Sky
1952 Hans Christian Andersen
1954 A Star Is Born
Today in Writing: October 24 – Daily Writing Exercise
Now that you have done some reading, it is time to write. Aspiring writers should look to the stories from Today in Writing: October 24 and Moss Hart’s life. Read his quotes and study his plays to understand the author’s writing style.
Find a topic and freewrite for 10 minutes. Moss Hart cultivated a love of theater into a career. His passion would lead him to produce well-received plays and head an organization aimed at helping new and upcoming playwrights. Aspiring writers should pay homage to his love for writing and innovativeness and start writing.
Don’t let any opportunity to write go to waste. Aspiring writers: Practice your writing today. Celebrate Today in Writing History October 24.
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