Most of the photos and technical information we have on the W.C. Handy Theatre comes from the 1947-48 edition of Theatre Catalog. Theatre Catalog is the sort of industry specific publication that is created for pragmatic functionality, but that later becomes indispensable for researchers in a given field. Industry publications are fantastic for researchers because they present a wealth of data in the clear language required by people working in the field.

Theatre Catalog was founded by Bella and Jay Emanuel, a couple who operated a circuit of 14 theatres in the Northeast. You can read a little more on the Emanuels, and see some fantastic photobooth pictures of them on the Photobooth Journal blog.

(credit: American Theatre Architecture Archive, Theatre Historical Society of America)