History of The Bailey Theatre

Legend has it that Camille David (pronounced DAH-vid) headed out from Winnipeg with a herd of cattle looking for a place to build a ranch. He found that place in the Rosalind area Southeast of Camrose and. after making some money as a rancher, he came to Camrose and built the David Theatre in 1910. Camille David was a partner in building the original Windsor Hotel and purchased a wine, liquor and cigar store across the street from the theatre.  The first documented show in the theatre was on February 23, 1911.
The theatre was a very active venue in its early years with touring shows, films, amateur theatre, political rallies and even boxing matches. The theatre had electric lighting and even an orchestra pit.  The stage was accessible from dressing rooms underneath where several actors autographed the walls in the early years.

In 1912 David sold the theatre to Stan Bailey who kept the David Theatre name until June of 1920. It was at this time that Bailey built the front 40-feet of the theatre, essentially the lobby area, and added the 120-seat balcony. It was designed as brick Edwardian commercial storefront with a large arched opening at the entrance.

The theatre began its life with vaudeville, and then moved onto silent movies in the 1920s and 1930s. The first "talkie" movie with sound to be shown in the theatre, was "Peacock Alley" in 1935, five years after it was released in the USA.  Stan and his brother Theo operated the theatre for many years and also had a traveling projector that they used to take on the road to show movies in many Camrose area communities.
Sometime in the thirties or forties the façade was reconstructed to create a classic Art Deco appearance.  Black glass below with white plaster and racing stripes above gave the theatre a dashing new look.  A new modern sign pylon with a metal marquee complete with chaser lights and neon sign were a major presence on the Camrose Main Street for many years.

While live entertainment and dances continued to be held at the theatre until soon after WWII, movies became the mainstay until the mid-1990s when a multiplex theatre opened and The Bailey could no longer compete. In 1996, Landmark Cinemas donated the building and one of the two projectors to The Bailey Theatre Society.

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