SOURCE: Review of Strictly from Hunger, in The Saturday Review of Literature, Vol. 16, No. 14, July 31, 1937, p. 21.

In the following review, the critic notes Perelman's wit, and places him among the top of American humorists.

Few people would question Robert Benchley's position as the funniest man writing today. He would be the last to hold himself up as an authority on humor, but when he yields his own place in the field of humorous writing to another, it is important. If Benchley is anything (which we will assume for the sake of argument), he is honest. Therefore his tribute to S. J. Perelman deserves serious consideration.

Benchley alleges that he has been forced out of the competitive field of humorous literature by Perelman and is now on "movie relief." This statement, however graceful, is not entirely true. Benchley is good for another year of competition. Nevertheless the fact remains...