SOURCE: Mersand, Joseph. “George S. Kaufman: Master of the Technique of Good Theatre.” In Traditions in American Literature: A Study of Jewish Character and Authors, pp. 14-24. New York: Kennikat Press, 1968.

In the following essay, originally published in 1939, Mersand discusses Kaufman's ability to satirize American character and culture.

George S. Kaufman's The American Way (1939) is his thirty-second play written in collaboration. Though critics may argue as to the ultimate value of his plays in the history of American drama, they almost unanimously agree that he is the most successful collaborator working in our theater. His associates have included Irving Pichel, Larry Evans, Marc Connelly, Edna Ferber, Katherine Dayton, Alexander Woollcott, Moss Hart, Ring Lardner and Morrie Ryskind. The only play he wrote alone was The Butter and Egg Man (1925). Superlatives of various kinds have been used with Kaufman. He is generally recognized as the most successful master of...