Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

COVERING NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA AND EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA CLOSING HOPPERS DIM TAX MENACE Heart Attack Fatal to A1 Friedlander New York — Death claimed A1 Friedlander, 46, Wednesday as the veteran independent film man took a nap in his offices in the RKO Bldg, here. Just returned from a ten-week tour of the country in the interest of Mutual Film Distributors product, Friedlander succumbed to a heart ailment that had plagued him recently. He spent several weeks in a hospital last fall after a series Friedlander of attacks. Friedlander entered the industry as a licensed motion picture operator in Chicago and became identified with a stock repertory company 22 years ago. For five years he was talent manager of the Continental Vaudeville exchai'ge, and then joined the Celebrated Players Film Corp. as salesman in 1913, which position he resigned to serve in the World War until 1918. He managed the American-French Aero Exposition in 1919 and then joined the Merit Film Exchanges as New Jersey manager. In 1927, he joined with Harry H. Thomas in organizing the First Division exchanges where he was responsible for the formulation of the “March of Time” sales plan. Lately he had been associated with Thomas in the release of several independent pictures. Music Hall Loss Big New York — A loss of $1,666,778 was sustained by the Radio City Music Hall in over four years of operation as of April 30, last. This information was given Wednesday to the special master in the RKO reorganization hearing. Pennsylvania Assembly Aims Hot Trio Harrisburg — Should the cham store tax bill, amended as the legislature swung into its final week of deliberation to include motion picture theatres, be enacted before the adjournment of the legislature on May 21 a court test is certain, the temper of theatre circuit representatives mdicates. Aiming a heavy blow at the motion picture industry, the legislature here this week considered two other trade bills, one of which would prohibit block bookmg. Another would prohibit compulsory designation of playdates by distributors. SELZNICK OFFICIALS AT NEW YORK MEETING New York — High-ranking Selznick International executives and officials arrived here Monday for a series of conferences with United Artists executives in connection with future Selznick product. The party, expected to remain here three weeks, included: David O. Selznick, president; John Hay Whitney, chairman of the board of directors; William A. Wellman, director; Ben Hecht and Robert Carson, writers; L. F. Altstock, assistant treasurer; Barbara Keon, production secretary, and Russell Birdwell, advertising and publicity director. CASH GAMES BANNED IN PHILLY ENVIRON Philadelphia — Bank Nite, Bingo and similar games were banned in Delaware county, following an order Wednesday by R. M. Kaplan, chief county detective. Detectives were sent all over the county, which borders on Philadelphia, and warned theatre operators conducting such games, and other organizations to cease immediately. 17 of 25 Admission Bills Downed in Current Legislatures New York — The windup of the legislative season finds 17 of the 25 tax bills aimed at theatre admissions either defeated or on the verge of such a fate, with those still pending seen by industry observers as having little chance for passage. Of the 25 revenue-producing measures introduced, which represented an all-time high with respect to the motion picture industry, not one bill has been enacted. The bulk of the bills sought to establish a 10 per cent admission tax, while others provided for an increase in existing levies. Alabama’s two per cent retail sales tax went into effect March 1. Although it includes a levy on theatre admissions it is not regarded as discriminating directly against the industry. Colorado has a two per cent retail sales tax pending in the senate. It would tax all industries to provide revenue for old age pensions. Connecticut has a ten per cent tax pending which would repeal the present seating tax. Indiana defeated a proposed tax for additional state revenue, Iowa passed a two per cent sales tax which includes theatre admissions, Kansas defeated a 10 per cent amusement tax bill as well as one that would place a levy of one cent on each 20-cent admission. Maine failed to take any action on five tax bills, ranging from one cent to 10 per cent on admissions. Maryland’s proposed 10 per cent admission tax was defeated. Massachusetts has indefinitely postponed a 10 per cent excise measure on theatre admissions. Nebraska defeated a 10 per cent admission tax bill, but is still considering a luxury tax on admissions, tobacco and liquor. North Dakota defeated a bill that proposed a tax on amusements of one cent on each 50-cent ticket, which would have been in addition to the existing two per cent sales tax that includes theatres. Ohio defeated a bill that proposed a (Continued on next page) EASTERN EDITION Is One of the Seven Sectional Editions in Which BOXOFFICE Is Published Weekly. The Other Six Editions Are; NEW ENGLAND, MIDEAST, CENTRAL, MIDWEST, WESTERN, SOUTHERN. ALFRED L. FINESTONE, Eastern Editor, 551 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y., Phone "Vanderbilt 3-7138. PRESCOTT DENNETT, Bond Bldg., Washington, D. C., V. W. MORROW, 73 W. Eagle St., Buffalo, N. Y.