Part 619: Theatrical Guides –Western and Canadian Theatrical Guides
In 1907 two new theatrical guides were published, one focusing on the western United States and the other focusing on Canada.
HENRY’S Official Western Theatrical Guide focused on theaters in Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The guide advertised that it contained “Authentic information of theatre and attractions in the territory from Denver west to the Coast, and a list of reliable hotels, transfer companies and bill posters.” It was compiled and edited by W. R. Dailey, published at 289 Thirteenth Street in San Francisco, California. The price for Henry’s Guide was only $1,00, a third of what was charged by some of the other Theatrical Guide publishers. However it contained far less information, solely focusing on a particular region and not the whole of North America.
Henry’s Guide also included the addresses of “Prominent Western Theatrical Managers,” as well as “Some Out-of-the-Way Routes That Mean Money for Small Shows, and included the Marshfield Circuit, the Wagon Circuit, The Southern Oregon Circuit, The Picture Show Route, the ‘Kite’ Circuit, the South San Joaquin Valley Route, and the North San Joaquin Valley Route.
Another guided appeared at the same time, focusing on Canadian theaters – Quintus Brooks’ ‘Canadian Theatrical Guide.” “The Gazette” reported “ The first volume of a new handbook which will prove of increasing value to all interested either directly of indirectly in affairs theatrical, has just been issued. This is Mr. H. Quintus Brooks’ ‘Canadian Theatrical Guide,’ which is planned to be annual publication, appearing about July 15” (Montreal, 24 Oct., 1907, page 5). The article continued, “The extra labor made necessary by the preliminary compilation, delayed the publication of the first volume, which now goes before the public. The guide follows the lines laid down by similar publications in the United States, containing in brief form information relating to Canadian theatres from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast, this information including statistics with regard to the population of the cities and towns, the seating capacity of the playhouses and music halls, the newspapers, the hotels and the railway communications. Mr. Brooks in his position as representative of the J. B. Sparrow Theatrical and Amusement Company, Ltd., at His Majesty’s, is well suited to the work of editing the volume which now appears. The office of publication is 448 Guy street, Montreal, and the price is 25 cents.” By 1914, the publication was called “H. Quintus Brooks’ Canadian Theatrical Guide and Moving Picture Directory.”
Henry’s and Brooks’ theatrical guides, when added to the list of Cahn’s, Donaldson’s and Jeffery’s, provide insight into the complex network of performance venues. Time and time again, I am blown away by the sheer number of theaters throughout North America. So many of this venues still existing awaiting their still undecided fate of demolition or renovation. This was such a massive industry, providing an amazing range of employment possibilities, especially when considering those who were theatrical suppliers. Tomorrow, I return to the projects of Thomas G. Moses during the theatrical season of 1908-1909.
To be continued…
