Levin's inspiration was then-New York Herald Tribune drama critic Walter Kerr and his playwright wife Jean.

Reviewing for The New York Times, Howard Taubman wrote, "Ira Levin's new comedy, which opened at the Ethel Barrymore last night, is not much of a play."

And, "Otto Preminger's staging discloses a seasoned hand, although his pacing often turns languid and his ideas for comedy run thin, like the playwright's.

[4] The action takes place in the Ballantines’ Washington Square duplex apartment in Manhattan.

John worries that Parker will repeat the mistake he made with the first Mrs. Ballantine: that he'll write a favorable review of a bad play just because it was written by his wife.

Parker assures John that, unlike his first marriage, his and Angela's is a strong one and secure enough to weather an honest review.

As Angela prepares to depart with Dion to New Haven and Boston for the out-of-town try-outs of “A Houseful of Silence,” they learn that Parker intends to review the play in New York.

Charlotte begs Parker to give the play a positive review for the sake of the marriage.

She repeats Parker's words that during the opening of the play they are not husband and wife, but critic and playwright.

John becomes angry at Parker for going back on his word about reviewing the play and about staying honest to himself.

Parker becomes increasingly drunk and maudlin about not being true to his word about doing his job as a critic regardless of Angela's connection with the play.

Finally, Parker decides he must review the play and he rushes out to catch a cab to the theater.

Charlotte and John return from the opening night party discussing how bad the play was.

He begs her forgiveness, but goes on to say that “A Houseful of Silence” was an awful play, he was right to give it a bad review, and that Angela should not try to keep Parker from doing his work as a critic.