TLS: Monday, May 22, 1922

Carol Bird, a writer for Arthur Hornblow's THEATRE MAGAZINE, did interview O'Neill in the spring of 1924 at the Provincetown Playhouse during rehearsals for ALL GOD'S CHILLUN. Her "exclusive interview" appeared in the June, 1924 issue of THEATRE MAGAZINE and dealt with O'Neill's preoccupation with the "underdog" in his plays. On May 19, 1922 a New York newspaper announced that the Police Department had charged THE HAIRY APE as being "obscene, indecent, and impure," and that a copy of O'Neill's manuscript had been forwarded to the Chief City Magistrate.

(Letterhead: EUGENE O'NEILL / PROVINCETOWN, MASS.)

May 22, 1922

My dear Miss. Bird:

After considering the matter, I am inclined to agree with you that it may be much better to wait until an opportunity offers for a personal interview. It strikes me this will be much more satisfactory for all concerned. For, if I were to answer your set of questions, the result would be practically a replica of several other interviews with me which have been printed here and there in the past year or so. This, I know, is not what you are after, not what Mr. Hornblow wants, -- and not what I care to give. Any new interview with me, to justify itself, will have to be just that -- new -- or the public will rightly ignore it as a repetitious bore and an irritating impertinence on my part.

The stupid complaints against "The Hairy Ape", resulting in the present attempt at suppression, seem to offer a new angle on which to base an interview when the time comes. Starting with a discussion of that, I think everything can be introduced that you care to bring in.

Just how soon I will be in town, I don't know, but I promise to get in touch with you or Mr. Hornblow as soon as I arrive.

I am very sorry to be causing you all this bother -- but, under the circumstances, I don't see how it can work out any other way.

With best wishes,

Sincerely,

Eugene O'Neill.