Romance of an Old Playhouse, by George D. Pyper, 1905, 1927-1942

File — Box: 59, Folder: 8-12

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Salt Lake Theatre documents, 1905, 1927 located in folder 8. Set of documents related to the Salt Lake Theatre, including: a letter dated 18 May 1905 from David McKenzie to George D. Pyper on the early history of the theater; letter of 20 June 1905 from Lincoln J. Carter to George D. Pyper on early history of the theater; letters dated 29 Jun 1927 and 15 July 1927 from the editors of the Saturday Evening Post to George Pyper on why they would not publish his history of the theater, and a letter dated 6 July 1927 from Pyper to the editors.

George D. Pyper correspondence re "The Romance of an old playhouse," 1928-1942 located in folder 9. Set of letters to and from George D. Pyper related to his history of the Salt Lake Theatre, including: Letter of 19 Oct. 1928 from Susa Young Gates to George D. Pyper about his book on the Salt Lake Theatre, and his reply of 6 Nov. 1928; letter of 10 Nov. 1928 from the Seagull Press Printing to George D. Pyper providing a statement of expenses due for the printing of his book; pages from an issue of the "Christmas Herald" with a photo of "interior of Salt Lake Theatre"; Salt Lake Theatre program from season 1927-8; quotations and invoices from the Seagull Press, 1928; financial reports from Deseret Book Company from 1928 through 1938 on George Pyper's book; letter dated 12 Nov. 1928 from Daniel S. Spencer, passenger agent for the Union Pacific Railroad, conveying a letter from Willie Seymour about the book; letter of 29 March 1930 from Wanda Lyon to George Pyper about his book; letter of 14 February 1930 from niece Dora P. Anderson to George Pyper at an authors' service bureau in Hollywood, seeking rights to adapt the book for a movie, and his reply of 20 May; letter of 23 from Carl A. Badger to George Pyper and his 13 Oct. 1933 reply; "Salt Lake Theatre guide for managers, agents and companies"; letter of 7 March 1941 from University of Utah President LeRoy E. Cowles to George Pyper about using his book at freshman orientation; letter of 16 May 1941 from James Hilton of Metro-Goldyn-Mayer Pictures about the book; letter of 23 Oct. 1942 from Wilford W. Richards of Logan to George D. Pyper regarding use of quotations from the book for the Institute of Religion, and a note from Pyper dated 24 Oct. 1942.

Salt Lake Theatre memoirs located in folder 10. Typescript by George D. Pyper of his memoir of the end of the Salt Lake Theatre in 1928, including the program of its "Farewell gala performance"; an "Epilogue" to Pyper's book, recounting the end of the theater building; a letter of 8 May 1941 from B. Spencer Young on his activities in dramatic productions in the 18th ward; other handwritten memoirs about the Salt Lake Theatre, lacking authors and dates.

Salt Lake theater recollections located in folder 11. Handwritten and typed notes, probably by George D. Pyper, with recollections from the history of theater in Salt Lake City, and other papers, including "An ode to the old Salt Lake Theater" written by James Lloyd Woodruff of Los Angeles, with cover letter dated 10 Nov. 1932.

Miscellaneous papers located in folder 12. Miscellaneous papers associated with George D. Pyper's history of the Salt Lake Theatre, including an illustration for the cover; text of words by an unidentified speaker before reading a short poem about the theatre; an advertisement for the book by Deseret Book Company; an article about the book from the "Improvement Era," written by Adam S. Bennion; and an errata sheet directing printer to reprint certain pages.

Dates

1905
1927-1942

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.