For the past few posts, I have explored the appearance of Joy & Cannon Scenic Co., established by Boyd P. Joy and Gerald V. Cannon in 1916. Joy founded a second studio only two years later – Universal Scenic Studio. At the time, Cannon was enlisted in the U. S. marine Corps as their first camouflage artist, therefore Joy & Cannon Scenic Co. lay dormant, but it had not yet closed it doors. Joy & Cannon Scenic Co. would sporadically continue business after the war and appear in various newspapers throughout the 1920s.
In regard to Universal Scenic Studio, the firm was first founded in South Dakota, but moved to Minnesota by 1920, appearing in city directories. By 1928, Joy moved Universal Scenic Studio, Inc. to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
An interesting article was published in the “Argus-Leader” on March 22, 1919: “Sioux Falls has an organization which is making a real contribution to making the theater of today different from the theater when it began. There wasn’t any scenery and the nobles who had seats slept through the plays; the rest of the populace stood up and used its imagination. The scenic artist of today has made possible the attractive drop curtains and varied rear and side drops which make for half the attractions of today. And the Universal Scenic Studio of Sioux Falls, on East Tenth Street, under the direction of Boyd P. Joy, is providing for this section of the northwest products of the best experience of a man who was for a number of years connected with the best studios of New York and since coming west a few years ago has become one of the recognized leaders in scenic art production. This institution is working with the National Engraving company, under the same management, with the engraving department continuing the work of Mr. Worsick and Mr. Williams, under the direction of W. P. Hamilton, formerly of the Chicago Evening Post engraving department and for 16 years connected successfully with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, News-Tribune, and Des Moines Register and Leader. The first big work the new company is anticipating is in the line of soldier souvenir books. The company reports 60 men in the field now collecting data and photos for these booklets. The building is being enlarged and within 90 days the managers claim they will have an up-to-date electrotyping plant in operation which will give employment to a number of people who will become permanent residents of Sioux Falls, and work with the new equipment being introduced to produce the best in art, with Sioux Falls the center of development.”
After Sioux Falls, Joy returned to St. Paul and was listed the president of Universal Scenic Studio, Inc. in the St. Paul City Directory. He then moved to Milwaukee, still functioning as the president of Universal Scenic Studio. A catalog from the Milwaukee branch of the Universal Scenic Studio was found among the personal belongings of Victor J. Hubal, Sr. Hubal worked for both Joy & Cannon Scenic Co. and Universal Scenic Studio in St. Paul. Lance Brockman copied catalogue during the 1980s. I am including photographs of Brockman’s copy today. Although some of the images are poor, it provides a good glimpse into Universal Scenic Studio, Inc., Milwaukee.
The prologue of the Milwaukee Universal Scenic Studio catalog states, “We make no effort here to give you a great number of illustration of various designs for stage scenes and sets; these may be had on request. We aim to cover the stage equipment field from the time it decided to build a stage, until it is completed, equipped and ready for use – and to this end we offer in the following pages some important suggestions for the correct construction of a properly built stage and methods of installation stage equipment.”
The second paragraph of the catalog’s Prologue addresses “Service,” stating, “An important part of any business is its service to the buying public. Ours includes the making of specifications covering stage scenery and operating equipment to fit your individual stage and its special requirements. We make no charge for this service. It is yours at request.”
In terms of “Prices,” the catalog notes, “All stage scenery is made to fit the individual requirements of and stage and price depends on size, materials and design. By mailing us the enclosed blank properly filled out, you will enable us to quote intelligently and definitely on your requirements.”
At the end of the Universal Scenic Studios catalog, the “Epilogue” includes a personal note from Boyd P. Joy, president of Universal Scenic Studio, Inc. of Milwaukee.
“We have endeavored to make clear to you in the preceding pages – First, the importance of lighting – next, the desirability of properly equipping your stage with curtains and scenery that is well designed, well made and correctly installed, secured from a firm well and favorably known, that has a background of experience and a plant capable of producing the very best obtainable in this line.
We sincerely trust your trip through our studio – following the various processes of the work from raw lumber to the finished product delivered and installed – has been worth while and that we may have helped even in the smallest way to clear up some lack of knowledge on your part as to what “Stage Scenery” is all about. When we have done this we are repaid for our effort, but let us not drop each other here. Remember we are anxious to help if we may and we solicit your future inquiry and giving you of our most courteous consideration and prompt response.
Thank you, Universal Scenic Studio, Inc.
Boyd P. Joy
President”
Universal Scenic Studio consistently appears in various articles over the next few decades, surviving the Great Depression. They were often rewarded contracts after submitting the lowest bid, completing with many other scenic studios at the time, including the Twin City Scenic Co. of Minneapolis. Whether is was scenery and stage machinery for city halls, public schools, opera houses, vaudeville theaters, or fraternal buildings, Universal Scenic Studio managed to stay in the game. Tomorrow, I will examine a Masonic job completed by Universal Scenic Studios for Leavenworth, Kansas.
To be concluded…
