In 1929 McNeile edited a volume of short stories from O. Henry, "The Best of O. Henry"; the stories had served as models for him when he had started as a writer. The same year, the film "Bulldog Drummond" was released, starring Ronald Colman in the title role. Colman was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor at the 3rd Academy Awards ceremony. The film earned $750,000 at the box office, and McNeile received an estimated £5,000 for the rights to his novel. The same year he wrote his second play—"The Way Out"—which was staged at the Comedy Theatre in January 1930. About a year later he and his wife returned to England, and settled near Pulborough, West Sussex.