Great Replies: Marc Connelly

Between 1919 and 1929 a group of writers, critics, actors, journalists, editors, press agents and wits met daily for lunch at the Algonquin Hotel, the gathering becoming known as the Algonquin Round Table. Their wisecracks, wordplay and witticisms were brought to a wider audience through newspaper columns of some of the Round Table members. The group also contributed to hit plays and books.

One story of the Algonquin Round Table concerns playwright Marc Connelly. One evening Connelly was dining with friends when another member of the Round Table came up behind Connelly and placed his hands on top of Connelly’s bald head. To the amusement of those gathered, the friend stated “Marc, your head feels as smooth as my wife’s arse.” Connelly raised his hand to his head, rubbed his own head and, with a wry smile, said “So it does, so it does.”