The Film Daily (1918)

7/eBftADSTREET of FILMDOM xfeRECOCNIZED Authority Vol. V, No. 63 Thursday, July 11, 1918 Price 5 Centi NewTaxProposed Treasury Dept's. Figures Not Favored by Ways and Means Committee WASHINGTON, D. C— The Ways and Means Committee is not expected to consider favorably the Treasury Department's recommendations for additional taxation on so-called luxuries, which were submitted by representative Claude Kitchin, July 9. A radical change was proposed in motion picture taxation, whereby the %c. and Yic. a foot tax on film would be abolished and replaced by a tax of 5 per cent, on the rentals received by the producer. It is also suggested that the theatre admission tax of 10 per cent, on all admissions, except those under 5c, be doubled, which would mean the well-nigh impossible burden of a 20 per cent, admission tax. New Selig Features Col. William N. Selig is reported to have three new feature productions which will be shown to the trade shortly. These pictures, as well as other Selig films, will be controlled in the World market by Bengar Pictures, Inc., according to a contract recently entered into by Sidney Garret, president of J. Frank Brockliss, Inc., Ben Blumenthal of Export and Import Film Company and Coi. Selig. Censors Appointed CHICAGO.— Calvin H. Hill, president of the village of Oak Park, appointed Mrs. F. S. Shafer, 502 Lake Street, and Mrs. Elizabeth Huizenga, 610 South Elmwood Avenue, motion picture censors on Monday. The two women censors will receive $2 a day for their services. Starring Elinor Field Elinor Field has been selected by James M. Sheldon, president of Mutual, to star in Mutual-Strand Comedies. Miss Field is seventeen years of age and a product of Los Angeles where she was attending high school when her picture possibilities were realized by the Mutual Corporation. Books Through Wid's GRAND OPERA CO. Herrin, 111. "WID'S DAILY," New York City. Gentlemen: And we are, as we told you in our letter of June 25th, depending on "WID'S" for every picture we book. John Marlow, Manager. Crowder In Film Provost Marshal General in Feature Showing Workings of Draft WASHINGTON. — One of the propaganda pictures which the Government is to make in the near future in connection with the Motion Picture War Service Association is to have Provost Marshal'General Crowder as its principal figure. The picture is to be based on the workings of the selective service draft and the making of the National Army. It will show how the men are selected and their evolution from plain citizens to a fighting unit in the army of the United States on the fighting front in France. LAWRENCE GRANT SUES METRO Actor Claims That Contract Calling For Advertising Has Not Been ^Fulfilled Because the Metro Pictures Corporation has not complied with the terms of his contract under which he is to be featured in connection with all the advertising and press notices of "To Hell With the Kaiser," Lawrence Grant, who takes a leading part in the photoplay, has filed suit in the Supreme Court for an injunction restraining the Metro from producing the play without complying with the contract to feature him. The plaintiff, through his attorney, William Z. Gold, will also ask money damages for breach of the contract. While the only paper on file in the case as yet is a summons served on Charles K. Stern, the following statement was made concerning the suit to a representative of WID'S DAILY by Mr. Gold: "The suit arises from the fact that the Metro did not feature Lawrence Grant as the principal player of the picture with Olive Tell, as agreed in the contract, on every copy of the film sold, and on all advertising and press matter, since it was agreed that Mr. Grant's name was to take precedence over the name of every other player. "This agreement also referred to all lobby display and advance advertising. The Metro did not live up to its agreement and I was about to apply for a temporary injunction restraining the production of the play on the opening night at the Broadway Theatre, but the advertising was then changed and Mr. Grant's name was featured. Later last week the advertising not only at the Broadway Theatre but for the. Chicago production omitted the name of Mr. Grant and we then determined to bring the suit. Because I did not desire to injure the Metro, I did not apply for a temporary injunction to which I believe I would have been entitled. The complaint will ask an injunction restraining the production without featuring Mr. Grant. "The defense of the Metro corporation is that it has leased the picture to the Broadway Theatre and that it is not responsible for the manner in which the play is advertised, but we contend that the defendant is responsible for seeing that the lessees of the film carry out its contract with us." Additional papers probably will be filed in the case soon.