Typewriter belonging to S.J. Perelman (1904–1979)

S.J. Perelman, one of America’s foremost humor writers of the 20th century, saw nearly 300 pieces published in The New Yorker over the course of his career. He also wrote 560 short prose pieces, eight plays, a novel, numerous television scripts, and 11 film scripts—including for the Marx Brothers films Monkey Business (1931) and Horse Feathers (1932). He also collaborated on the Academy-Award-winning script for Around the World in 80 Days (1956). In 1928 Perelman married Laura West, whom he met through her brother, the novelist Nathanael West. The couple collaborated on two plays and several screenplays, making them one of Hollywood’s most successful screenwriting husband-and-wife teams. The Library’s Berg Collection holds Perelman’s papers, including typescripts, scrapbooks, and correspondence between Perelman and his wife.