Although today’s post is laden with details, there is a reason for it. As I briefly explore the emergence of two Minnesota-based scenic studios, Joy & Cannon Scenic Co. and Universal Scenic Studio stories, they represent a shift within the industry. The appearance of scenic studios during the second decade of the twentieth century, threaten the older and more established studios, such as Sosman & Landis. It is a time of great change.
Boyd Phelphs Joy was born on Feb. 20, 1873. The son of Berry P. and Lucinda Joy, He was one of three children and grew up in Winona, Minnesota. Throughout his life, Joy appears to have been a little here, there, and everywhere. Described as short man with medium build, grey eyes and dark brown hair, Joy was quick to smile and had a magnetic personality.
By the age of twenty, Joy left Winona and moved north to the Twin Cities. He was first listed in the St. Paul City Directory during 1893, working as a clerk for J. H. Sleeper and boarding at 1062 Ross with Benjamin P. Joy, his uncle. He continued to live with his uncle, both moving to 874 Beach in 1894. Joy was still working as a clerk when he moved to Minneapolis in 1895. He then disappears from city directories until 1901 when he reappears as a civil engineer, briefly starting a new career before turning to the theatre. Joy is again living with his uncle, just at a new location – 364 E. 9th St. in St. Paul. He started a new career as a civil engineer, living with his uncle again. This continued until 1902, when they moved to 1342 Brand. During this time, Joy’s employment is temporarily associated with G. N. Ry (Great Northern Railway). 1902 is the crucial moment when Joy transitions from the railway to the stage, without any indication as to how it happened.
Out of nowhere, he becomes the manager of a touring show that spring. The “Calgary Herald reports, “Boyd P. Joy, manager of the Rip Van Winkle company, called at the Herald Office this morning, and stated that his company, which would appear in the opera house tonight, has everywhere been having bumper houses. They will try to give the people the best possible play for their money. They will play tonight and tomorrow night in the opera house” (Alberta, Canada, 5 May 1902, page 4).
By spring of 1903, “The Superior Times” advertised, “Boyd P. Joy presents the romantic actor Bert C. Wood supported by the Girard Theatre Company in a repertoire of new plays, clever specialties, special scenery, [and] electrical effects” (Superior, Wisconsin, 18 April, 1903, page 3). That fall, Joy is managing and acting with Breckenridge Stock Company, a company featuring the comedian Charles Breckenridge. Among their repertoires is the 4-act comedy, ‘An Irish American,” “Rip Van Winkle,” “Her Bashful Admirer,” “Guilty Without Crime,” and the military comedy-drama “Nebraska.” While the company was touring Kansas, Joy was mention in the “Iola Daily” noting, “Boyd P. Joy, the manager, is a pleasant gentleman to deal with in a business way and is a capable actor” (14 Nov. 1903, page 3). By winter, “The Emporia” reported, “The principal characters were good, but it was Boyd P. Joy as the funny Irishman that received the greater part of applause” (Emporia, Kansas, 22 Dec. 1903, page 5). Another role played by Joy with the Breckenridge Company was that of Spotted Chief Horse in their production of “Nebraska.”
By 1905 Joy has returned to Minnesota, becoming the treasurer of the Metropolitan Opera House in St. Paul. He is now 32 years old and residing at 95 11th St. The next year he is also listed as a treasurer for the Met. Opera House and living at 125 Summit Ave in St. Paul, yet is back on the road. In 1906, Joy is touring with another production – “A Daughter of Colorado.” Advertised as “A complete scenic production,” the show is advertised as under the direction of Boyd P. Joy (Grand Forks Herald, 13 Sept. 1906, page 5). This new four-act romantic comedy featured Miss Laura Frankenfield.
In 1907 Joy is listed as a playwright in “Dramatic Compositions Copyrighted in the United States, 1870 to 1916” – “Panama – a tale of the great canal, a melodrama in 4 acts by B. P. Joy. [97] Typewritten. © Boyd. P. Joy. St. Paul; D: 10884, June 29, 1907; 2c. June 29, 1907.” He seems to have been trying his hand at a little bot of everything before settling on scenic production. Between 1907 and 1912, Joy focuses on scenic production. By 1912, Joy is credited with creating a new scenic production for the Huntington Players – “In the Bishop’s Carriage” (South Bend Tribune, 9 Nov. 1912). This is where his transition from manager/actor to scenic artists begins and he is noted as “the Huntington artist.” Joy seems to have made the shift from performance to design while working for the Huntington Company.
In 1913, Joy is still listed as the Huntington Company’s scenic artist for “As a Man Sows.” The “South Bend Tribune” reported, “’As the Man Sows, which will be given by the Wright Huntington players at the Auditorium theatre all next week, was written by Henry Hamilton, one of the foremost English playwrights. It ran for one year at the Princess Theatre in London, and for a longer period at Wallack’s in New York…the scenery has been painted by Boyd. P. Joy” (8 March 1913, page 6). The scenes were laid in Scotland and Ireland, providing ample opportunity for beautiful stage compositions.
At the age of 41, Joy married Florence E. Fogerty (sometimes spelled Fogarty) in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Dec. 15, 1914. The 1915 St. Paul directory lists Boyd as now working as an artist at the Schubert Theatre. Joy and his wife resided at from 159 W. Summit Ave. Joy’s future business partner, Gerald V. Cannon, first appears in the Minneapolis city directory in 1915, living at 4144 38th Ave S. in Minneapolis. Although listed as an artist, he is not linked with any particular company. It is likely that both Joy and Cannon are sporadically working for the Twin City Scenic Co. at this time. Their combined experience might prompt them to go into business for themselves, opening Joy & Cannon in St. Paul.
In 1916, Joy & Cannon first appear as a scenic studio in the St. Paul Directory. Their address is listed as 378 S. Wabasha, an address will not change over the next six years. The 1917 St. Paul City Directories list Joy as residing at 128 E. Winifred and working at Joy & Cannon Scenic Co. Gerald V. Cannon is also listed in the city directory and associated with the firm, residing in Minneapolis.
By 1918, Joy was working on a project in South Dakota for the Sioux Falls Coliseum. The “Argus Leader” would later recall, “Thirteen years ago, Boyd P. Joy in the employ of a Minneapolis Scenic Studio, was busy at the new Sioux Falls coliseum, painting the scenery and curtains for the stage which had been erected of plank laid on horses….for thirteen years, the scenery which Mr. Joy built and painted has been in use.”
There seems to have been a split between Joy and Cannon that same year. In 1918, Joy is now listed as a scenic artist at the Schubert Theatre with his residence on 217 N. Cretin Street. First of all, Cannon begins working for the military and serves during WWI. In 1918, Cannon is listed in the St. Paul city directory as the manager of “G. V. Cannon Scenic Co.,” residing at 351 Hope in St. Paul. Joy & Cannon appear to temporarily vanish; yet the firm will reappear in later directories during the 1920s. This is very perplexing, especially since Joy moved to South Dakota in 1919 and was listed as a scenic artist in the Sioux Falls Directory. In Sioux Falls, he is working for the Universal Supply Co. and living at 918 S. Duluth Ave.
By 1920, Joy returns to Minnesota city directories, now listed as the manager of Universal Scenic Studio and residing at 45 S. Lexington Ave, St. Paul, Minnesota. Two years later, Joy is listed as the president of Universal Scenic Studio, still living on Lexington in St. Paul. That year, however, the Joy & Cannon Scenic Co. and Universal Scenic Studio are BOTH advertised in the 1922-1923 Film Yearbook. Joy continues to be listed with Universal until 1925. The only thing that changes is his home address, now at 1325 Grand Ave. The address of Universal Scenic Studios is 329 Van Slyke Ct. in the St. Paul Directory.
By 1928, Joy moves again, this time to Milwaukee where he established Universal Scenic Studio, Inc. He is still listed as the president of the company, living at 436 44th Street in apt. 33. The 1930 US Census confirms that Joy was still living in Milwaukee and was employed as a manufacturer of stage scenery. The story doesn’t end here, as I now want to look at what Cannon’s career as a scenic artist and studio founder.
To be continued…
