Copyright © 2021 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
This is the second of two posts about Charles L. Hoyland.
In 1927 the Hoyland-Lemle Company split into two new firms – the Charles L. Hoyland Co. and William Lemle, Inc. That year, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Another rumor that the National Theatre Supply Co. will take over our old Studio. Lemle is interested and wants me to come with him.” Although they were both struggling for work, each knew the risks of working for others and not personally securing each contract.
The firm of William Lemle Inc. was featured by the National Theatre Supply Co. in 1927, after having leased the old Sosman & Landis studio at 417 S. Clinton St. By 1931, the Chas. L. Hoyland Co. also listed 417 Clinton Street as their address too (“Chicago Tribune,” 3 June 1931, page 1). In 1930, Lester Landis (Perry’s son) was the manager of the scenery and drapery department at the National Theatre Supply Co. By the end of the decade, Moses was not only painting for Lemle, but also making models for the National Theatre Supply Co. Moses represented both the William Lemle and National Theatre Supply Co. in 1930.
A lot happened between 1927 and 1931 for many studios; it was a turning point in the theatre industry and many businesses closed their doors. The golden days of scenic art and more work than you can handle ended for many artists. Hoyland’s luck never really returned and he floundered around for the remainder his life. He seems to have encountered one obstacle after another after 1927. Even before the Great Depression, the 1920s were difficult, with many scenic firms struggling to land contracts and get paid for their work. The newspapers are filled with legal announcements, studios were constantly going to court for non-payment.
…and then there were those tragic things events just seemed to happen…
On Jan. 20, 1928, a notice appeared in the “Kenosha News” stating:
ENVELOPE LOST – Contains three checks made out to the Chas. L. Hoyland Co. and $32 cash. Finder, please return to Berry’s Store. 6828 Sheridan Rd., or phone 4139; reward” (page 30). This is just sad, as the firm was struggling already. I was reminded of the scene when Uncle Billy erroneously gives the $5,000 to Mr. Potter in a folded-up newspaper at the bank. Losing any amount of money is always unfortunate, especially when one considered the upcoming economic uncertainty. It was a difficult time to lose money, or collect money owed. Sadly, life would not improve for the Hoylands, and the next decade would prove even more difficult. The Charles L. Hoyland Co. would continue plugging along, but never be free of their financial problems.
In 1930, Hoyland brought suit against C. J. Dalby, near Millgrove, in Blackford Circuit Court, asking $260 on contract (The Star Press, 4 April 1930, page 11). This likely a misprint, as the suit resulted in a $28,000 payment: today’s equivalent of approximately $430,000. It was not until 1932, the Charles L. Hoyland Co. won the case against J. C. Dalby for a total of $28015 (Muncie Evening Press, 26 March 1932, page 2). It remains unknown if Hoyland ever received the money.
1931 was a particularly challenging year for Hoylands. That summer, the Hoylands were robbed after attending a theatre performance. On June 3, 1931, the experience was described in a “Chicago Tribune” article. The headline read, “Couple Trailed from Theater; Robbed of Gems.” The article described, “Four bandits, three of them armed, last night held up and robbed Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Hoyland of cash and jewelry valued at $2,500 as the couple drove to their home at 1133 Farwell avenue. Mr. Hoyland is head of an advertising company bearing his name at 417 Clinton Street.” At the end of 1931, Hoyland’s mother also passed away. She had lived with him since 1910, after his parents divorced in 1910. So much can happen in a year.
By 1934, Hoyland was again drawn into a scandal; this time involving a friend and theatre manager from his hometown, Jack P. Moore. Moore was the manager of the Springfield Fox theaters. he disappeared from Springfield with his wife, son, and daughter after cashing a $2,500 check on the Fox company. He soon sought out Hoyland’s help. On Aug. 25, 1934, the “Emporia Gazette” reported, “The letter stated in part, that Moore had explained to Hoyland the complications into which he had gotten himself, but that nonetheless, he (Hoyland) was giving Moore employment selling advertising service to theaters. Hoyland, who is a longtime friend of the Moore family, assured Mr. Diemer that he had the utmost faith in Moore’s integrity and that he would do all in his power to help him straighten his present difficulties. Diemer recently went to Kansas City, armed with a large sheaf of letters from outstanding Springfield businessmen, to call on a representative of the bonding company. It is his hope that arrangement can be made whereby Moore may be allowed to pay back losses incurred by the bonding company” (page 2).
Little is published about the Charles L. Hoyland Co. during the 1930s, other than it was still operating. Most studios were desperate for any kind of work and took every project that came their way, no atter how risky. On a personal front, the Hoylands split their time between Illinois, California and Arizona. Most newspaper articles note their social activities, but not any professional endeavors. The year before his passing, Hoyland was living in Westwood Hills, Los Angeles, California. Like most of his friends and colleagues, he hoped to tap into work related to the film industry.
On Jan. 1, 1939, the “Los Angeles Times” reported that Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Hoyland. attended and New Year’s Eve Fete at the Lawrence K. French’s home in Brentwood (page 52). They attended the party with and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur W. Jonas, also of Chicago. This was the last record that I have located about Hoyland in the newspapers to date.
Hoyland passed away on August 4, 1939. At the time, he was only 54 years old.
To be continued…
