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Once in a Lifetime
Paperback
ISBN13: 9781025435091
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 250
Weight: 0.78
Height: 0.53 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Once in a Lifetime is a sharp and hilarious satirical play that lampoons the chaotic early days of the talking picture era in Hollywood. Written by Moss Hart, this comedic masterpiece follows three down-on-their-luck vaudevillians-Jerry, May, and George-who decide to head west to California to seek their fortune. As the film industry scrambles to adapt to the advent of sound, the trio poses as elocution experts, hoping to capitalize on the desperation of silent film stars who must suddenly learn how to speak on camera.
The play brilliantly skewers the absurdities of the studio system, the fickleness of fame, and the sheer incompetence that often leads to success in the movie business. Through witty dialogue and fast-paced situations, Hart captures the frantic energy of a transitional moment in American cultural history. Characters like the bumbling George Lewis, who inadvertently becomes a directorial genius, highlight the whimsical and often irrational nature of the dream factory.
A cornerstone of 20th-century American comedy, Once in a Lifetime remains a relevant and entertaining look at the vanity and madness of show business. Its enduring appeal lies in its sharp observation of human nature and its celebration of the underdog in the face of institutionalized nonsense.
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This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
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