The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

24 MOVING PICTURE WORLD November 7, 1925 Conn. Tax Commissioner Raps Film Levy; Repeal Expected THE controversy over tlie Connecticut film tax law which was waged in tlie Legislature and tlicn in the courts has broken out afresh. This time the spark was set by William H. Blodgett, state tax commissioner, who in an address at the Thirteenth conference on taxation held by the New England State Tax Officials .Association, in Springfield, Mass., critized the Connecticut law. He expressed the belief tliat it would result in putting 25 per cent, of the small motion picture houses out of business. Not only was the tax obnoxious, he declared, but it was unprofitable and he hoped for the repeal of the act. The Hartford Times commented on the commissioner's address saying: "State Tax Connnissioner Blodgett is now making speeches condemning the state film tax law. Had he taken that attitude when the measure was pending there wouldn't have been any such law. To which the Republican Hartford Courant retorted : "State Tax Co'mniissioner Blodgett is now making speeches condemning the state film law,' says the Hartford Times, concluding: 'Had he taken that attitude when the measure was pending, there wouldn't have been any such law.' "Our contemporary has a short memory — or perhaps it doesn't like Mr. Blodgett. The ta.x commissioner has been outspoken against the film tax law from the start and, if the Times will consult its files, it probably will find that it quoted him to that effect in reporting the governor's hearing on the bill before signing it. Irrespective of the merits of the law or the politics of those concerned with it. Mr. Blodgett is entitled to have his position correctly represented. He deserves credit for his manner of administering a law with which he is out of sympathy." .•\11 of which indicates that sentiment is growing for the repeal of the law-. The theatre men confirm this impression. h'lis.s, li i J ^uiu sitccccds A. M. Botsford as advertising manager of Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. Botsford and Holman ^^Surprise*^ Dinner at Roosevelt A. M. Botsford, who assumes charge of the advertising and publicity department of the Famous Players theatre organization on November 1, and Russell Holman, who succeeds Botsford as advertising manager of Paramount, were tendered a surprise dinner at the Hotel Roosevelt, on Thursday evening by more than seventy members of the Paramount Home Office. Botsford and Holman had been requested to attend a meeting of the Paramount cabinet, but instead of cabinet members awaiting them they found their associates, entertainment and a squab dinner — and speeches. Botsford, as one of the guests, could not assume his usual role as toastmaster, so the honor fell to John Hammell, New York district manager. The speakers included Adolph Zukor, Jesse L. Lasky, Sam Katz, Harold B. Franklin, Charles E. McCarthy, Phil Reisman, the two honored guests and Vincent Trotta. Special menus had been prepared by the art department. A vaudeville program was arranged b) Ed. Olmstead of the Rialto and Rivoli theatres. BOSTICK WITH LOEW E. C. Bostick, former personal representative of Alexander Panfages in Seattle and manager of the local house, resigned this position to accept an executive position with Loew's, Inc., New York, where he will be in charge of a chain of twenty-five theatres throughout the East. This is said to be one of the biggest executive posts ever offered a Pacific Coast theatrical man. CRANFIELD & CLARKE MOVES Cranfield & Clarke, Inc., has moved into large executive offices in 1476 Broadway at Forty-second Street. The scenario department, under Miss V. Cranfield, will be in Suite 823, in the same building. No Production Curtailment, Warner Managers Are Told S.\M E. MORRIS, general manager of distribution for Warner Bros., called a meeting of the firm's district sales managers last week that lasted four days. The men were summoned for the purpose of getting a line on what might be expected from the various exchanges and also to see that the field organization was perfected so that the home office would be relieved of considerable detail with which it has been encumbered since the exchanges were taken over last spring. Considerable discussion concerning the extension of the organization took place, and word on how the W'arner Forty are going in the field and a review of conditions in the various territories was made. H. M. Warner addressed the men on two days. While no definite plans for ne.xt season were given out, it is known that he took the district managers into his confidence and assured them that while this had been a growing year for the firm, next season would find everything on an even keel and the organization functioning at top speed with new big plans in view. Mr. Warner stated that this year was just the beginning of the Warner expansion program. While several companies were letting it be known that they intended to curtail production next season, he stated that Warner Bros, would continue to put out an elaborate schedule of pictures. The company, he said, was in such shape that it could give plenty of time to its next year's production and it intended to do so. With the present program nearly completed, the entire studio force is busy on preparations for the 1926-27 schedule, which, he promised, would be as big and entertaining as the program of any company, and an eflort is being made to make it better than any other company. Sam Morris called attention to the big bookings being made for the Warner pic tures and Myer Lesser gave the men a visual demonstration of the big publicity resulting from the Bonded Advertising campaign, as well as relating several incidents which proved conclusively that Bonded Advertising is getting across both with the showmen and the public: Attending the convention were : Harry Lustig in charge of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Denver and Salt Lake City; Lloyd Willis, representing Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Indianapolis ; Edwin Silverman, whose territory includes Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis ; Herbert Elder, representing Charlotte, Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas and Oklahoma City; E. J. Smith, in charge of the district comprising Albany, Buffalo, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia and New Haven. LASKY AIDS RED CROSS Jesse L. Lasky, first vice-president of Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, has accepted the chairmanship for the Motion Picture Group in New York's ninth annual Red Cross Roll Call and is now organizing his group. In a letter urging the co-operation of the film industry, Mr. Lasky points out that the Red Cross "is really a branch of the Federal Gcvernment created for the purpose of meeting all emergencies such as fire, flood and disaster. ATLANTA WANTS CENSORS An ordinance is before the city council at Atlanta, Ga., presented by Councilmen Russell, Moon and White, which would impose censorship on all prologues, acts and special numbers in Atlanta theatres. The proposed law would carry a fine of $200 or a thirtyday jail sentence.