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It happened by itself. It never was done through any courses in the drama.

Oh, I know that, but what I'm trying to say is: it's interesting to see how people develop.

By the time I knew him he had already developed. He had already written some of his greatest plays, “The Emperor Jones,” “The Hairy Ape,” “Strange Interlude.” I've forgotten the order they came in. But when I met him he was already a famous playwright; he was the great American playwright.

But compared to what's going on today or has been on the stage for ten years, there's so little--even Ustinov--that has such structure and yet so much meaning and yet is so enjoyable.

Well, I've seen Tennessee Williams hailed as the new O'Neill; I've seen Edward Albee hailed as the new O'Neill. I think Tennessee Williams and Edward Albee put together aren't fit to put on O'Neill's coat.

That's what I mean.

A man like this comes along maybe once in a generation.

Did he ever realize this, do you think? Was he conscious of it?