TLS: Wednesday, December 15, 1920

Provincetown, Mass.
Dec. 15, 1920.

My dear Madden:

I had a letter from Tyler yesterday. He has read "The Ole Davil" and is very strong for it - so that he is sending the script to Lionel Barrymore to find out if he will play "Burke". Of course, this Barrymore stuff will come to naught for I understand from a good friend of his that he is to do "Macbeth" without fail - probably under Hopkins. But the fact remains that Tyler gives it out cold and clammy that he is going to do the play "This year, if I can" he says. All of which gives rise to a bundle of conjectures in my mind about which I want to consult you.

Tyler holds this play under the old "Chris" contract, no? This contract specifies in clause H that in order to hold the play he must give 75 performances in the year dating from the first performance - in this case March 8th, I believe; or failing to give them must pay royalty equal to the average already paid for the difference between 75 and the 24 he did actually give. Now in order to give 51 performances between now and March 8th Tyler would have to put on the play before the middle of Jan. This, of course, is quite impossible for him to do. Since he has quarreled with the Shuberts he cannot - or will not - book through their houses at all. As he seems to be able to find no opening in the K. and E., he is left out in the cold.

What do you think will be the best thing for us to do? Remind Tyler of this at once or wait? I wish to God I could only have the right to give Hopkins a shot at this play. I am getting awfully damn sick of these birds who cannot get theatres, cannot get actors, cannot do a damn thing except pigeonhole an author's play by the payment of a measly advance. Also, unless "The Emperor" knocks 'em dead uptown, it will be getting down to cases with me pretty soon and I have simply got to fight for a certain, and near, production if I am not to join the other lads in the poorhouse. I certainly seem to be out of luck when it comes to managers. I was certainly hoping that Tyler would turn down this play. It is enough that he has "The Straw" high and dry without giving him another.

Do you hear anything at all about Williams - not from him but about him - I mean, do you think there is any chance of his doing "Gold" soon or is he absolutely on the rocks? If so, I think he ought to let the play go the first of the year. Hopkins, I am sure, will do it. And something is due an author. I think the present contracts of all authors ought to be revised. They have to wait too long for too little money - and everyone elses wages have gone up with the H.C.L. - and a ham sandwich costs an author just as much as a plumber.

Let me know your thoughts on this Tyler affair.

With all best wishes,

Eugene O'Neill.