The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-11
EDGAR SELWYN'S SUCCESS.
Author of 1.-THE Country Boy
Smashes Theatrical Traditions.

Author of 1.-THE Country Boy"
Smashes Theatrical Traditions.
Mr.. Edgar Selwyn the author of the
comedy hit OF the year The Country
Boy" which Henry B. Harris, the dis
tingushed New York manager, presented
at the Columbia Theater last week.
made a hurried visit to Washington yes
terday with his wife. Miss Margaret
Mayo. who is also a dramatist, and who
wrote Baby Mine.
When Mr.. Selwyn was seen at the
theater he spoke of the pleasure 1t gave
him TO be in Washington and 10 renew
his many old friendships Mr.. Selwyn
has a host of friends in Washington
and they are always delighted to see
him. Personally, he is very modest
man. and has a keen sense or humor.
Mr.. Selwyn said he had received many
letters from prominent people since Inc
production OF The Country Boy. The
writer's said IN their letters that THE
Country Boy" reminded them OF expert
cnces in their own lives, and that they
could sympathize with the struggles and
the trials Of the boy from the country.
One letter was from Mr.. Harmon, the
well-knoWn aviator, who wrote Mr.. Sci
wyn that the experience of the country
boy. as shown in the play, reminded him
Of the first time he went 10 New York.
He said that he had met just such a girl
as Amy Leroy. the show girl, and had
gone through the same experience that
the country boy in the play does.
Mr.. and Mrs. Selwyn have shattered
some of the well-known traditions OF
Nasv h.at1 hat
two persons Of the same family could
not have separate plays produced on
Broadway at the same time and each
have a success. But this no longer holds
true. because not only has Mr.. Selwyn
written the comedy hit of the season in
THE Country Boy" and had it produced;
but his charming and accomplished wife,
Miss Margaret Mayo has also had pro-
duced Baby Mine" Then there is that
old tradition which says dire calamity
will surely come if husband and wife are
both geniuses But the only calamity
TO befan the Selwyn family is the one
that most of US would like, and that is
large checks coming in from successful
plays. and with the checks have come
the equally welcome fame which always
follows success. Then there is that
other old tradition that marriages ia
the theatrical world are not happy
People who are familiar with theauicals
know this last tradition is one that has
been exploded long ago. and the Selwyns
show by their happy married life and
devotion TO each other that this cant
about unhappy theatrical marriages is
I absurd
Going back to traditions again, Mr..
Selwyn is a man who likes his mother
in-law, and. what is also more 10 the
point, she likes him, and he insists she
make her home with them in New York
One does not learn this from Mr.. Sell
wyn himself. but from his own mother
in-law. and her word is surely the best
and most convincing evidence. 1t is not
to be wondered. then, that the Selwyns,
who can smash traditions in this way,
can both write and have successful plays
produced on Broadway.
The SelwynS have been married ten
years Miss Mayo and Mr. Selwyn first
mot when they were playing in Secret
Service Ia speaking of this. Miss Mayo
said; II first recall seeing my husband
when we were in the South. He used
10 write poetry at that time, and / criti-
cised some of his efforts. He did not like
il at first. but after We got to know
each other better he told me he had
profited by my criticism. We grew TO be
great friends and one day he asked me
to go out and take a walk with him.
consented. and after we had been out
for some time he suggested we go to a
icwelry store where he wishd to select
al engagement ring He asked me 10
choose the ring. saying it was for a
friend that valued my taste. l helped
him select the ring and he quietly slipped
il on my finger. I could not well protest
in the store, and when we got outside
he convinced me L didn't want to pro-
test, and / have always been glad :
didn't protest"
Sometimes. though" broke in Mr..
| Selwyn. my wife and 1 don't agree
about the characters in our plays; but
We never get each other TO change our
original cOnceptions"