Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Ticket Tax Proposal Joins List Fretting Phillg Trade Philadelphia — The tax headache of Philadelphia exhibitors grows apace. In addition to the proposed city tax on film footage the city council has before it a proposal of a tax levy on admission tickets of 1 cent on each 25-cent admission to take the place of the state tax which is to be rescinded June 1. Exhibitors and the movie-going public thought they would have a “breathing spell” when the state amusement tax would be dropped but the city fathers saw in the ticket levy a way out of the fiscal muddle which has troubled the local administration. Another tax proposed in council, which greatly concerns the motion picture industry here, is one to be imposed on bill posting. Representatives of both chain and independent groups here are contemplating a mass protest in council, as soon as an open hearing is announced. Rap Chain Theatre Impost The state house of representatives last week turned thumbs down on an amendment to the Chain Store Bill passed by the senate which would include chain theatres. The house committee refused to pass the chain store tax with the theatre rider and turned it back. A conference between committees of both houses was scheduled for Thursday, to iron out the differences. Independent exhibitors are joining with officials of the big chains to fight this amendment. BOOKING AND DATING FACE PA. LEGISLATION Philadelphia — Three bills vital to Pennsylvania exhibitors were introduced to the legislature last week by Senator Israel Stiefel and Representative John Dent. Prohibits Blind Booking The first, bill No. 1163, would prohibit blind booking. It would require producers to give exhibitors the opportunity to view pictures before leasing, if they so desire. The bill also requires that the lease contract contains a “true synopsis” of the film and that the synopsis contains an outline of the story and scenes and description of the dialogue concerning scenes “depicting vice, crime or any suggestion of sexual passion.” The second bill. No. 1164, which its sponsors claim is designed to prohibit “restraint of trade” — would forbid the system of “blind booking.” Bars Date Specifications This bill prescribes that any dispute in this phase of the law would be settled by the judges of the common pleas sitting in equity in the county where the theatre is situated. The third bill. No. 1165, would prohibit the specification of dates in the contract for leasing the film. Increase Noted in New Product Pacts New York — With the sales convention season nearing its zenith, distribution executives report an increase generally in independent and circuit contracts over the same period of last year. Smaller Companies Elated Sales executives of the smaller companies are more enthusiastic. J. J. Milstein, vice-president in charge of sales for Republic, said that deals with independent buyers are “about 25 per cent ahead of last year.” Saul Krugman, special sales representative of Grand National, declared that the new company “already has closed several hundred deals for next season’s product,” a figure considerably ahead of May, 1936, when the company was first organized. No estimate was offered by executives of United Artists, M-G-M and GB, who said that their companies have not yet generally sought new contracts. George Weeks, general manager of GB, did say, however, that he had heard reports that buying “is slower than it was a year ago.” Buying by exhibitors for the ensuing year is either slightly increased or average, according to 20th Century-Fox, Universal, Paramount, RKO Radio, Columbia and Warner Bros. “More Than Ever Before” “I find that exhibitors are doing more buying than ever before,” said Cresson Smith, RKO sales manager for the western and southern divisions. Smith’s opinion is shared by Martin Moskowitz of 20thFox who said his company has been selling the 1937-38 product for several weeks “with absolutely no complaints.” Rube Jackter, Columbia assistant sales manager, and Joseph J. Unger, eastern and southern division sales manager of Paramount, said that little selling on the new product has been attempted as the programs had not been completed and sales conventions were not scheduled until June. “Such selling as has been attempted, however, is just about average,” the former reported. “I would put our deals on 1937-38 product about 10 per cent ahead of this time last year,” said F. J. A. McCarthy, Universal’s eastern division manager. Gildemeyer Upped New York — F. H, Gildemeyer, formerly of Erpi’s technical staff in Detroit, has been assigned to Porto Rico as branch manager for Western Electric Co. of Cuba. BRANDT WILL BUILD LONG ISLAND HOUSE New York — Harry Brandt, head of the Brandt circuit of upwards of 60 houses in the metropolitan area, this week announced he is building a 600-seat theatre at 73rd St. and Roosevelt Ave., Corona L. I. The project may be ready for September opening. Harry Harris has closed the Bluebird Amsterdam Ave., Manhattan. The Hudson, Cold Spring, N. Y., har been reopened by the Chest Realty Corp., Harold Goldman, vice-president. Filmi will be shown on weekends only. The Bobby, on Broadway, Brooklyn long dark, is now being operated by F. Schultz and an associate. The Radio, Southern Blvd., Bronx, has been taken over by Bronx Cinema Corp., Inc., Moe Goldman, president. It was formerly operated by Leff-Myers. WB REOPEN THEATRE AT PLEASANTVILLE Philadelphia — The Warner chain has reopened the Carlton at Pleasantville, N. J., local headquarters announced this week. The house, a 400-seater, has been remodeled. Other Theatre News Lewis Braca of the Braca at Sea Isle City, Pa., will take over the 700-seat Pier in that resort. Jack H. Greenburg and Charles D. Windell are opening the Avalon at Avalon, N. J., about June 15. Harry A. Greenberg plans to open the Alan in Atlantic City in June. LAST RITES IN GOTHAM FOR LOEW'S CARL LEVI New York — More than 1,000 persons, including friends and associates in the industry, attended the funeral services for Carl Levi, Loew’s district manager here, at the Riverside Memorial Chapel on Monday. Burial was at Mount Hope Cemetery, Cypress Hills, Queens. Rabbi I. Mortimer Bloom read the eulogy. Among those at the services were Nicholas M. Schenck, David Bernstein, C. C. Moskowitz, Leopold Freidman, Joseph R. Vogel, Louis Frisch, Sam Rinzler, Captain Walter Signer of the New York fire department, representatives of the police department and the magistrates’ courts. Al Friedlander Rites New York — Funeral services for Al Friedlander, former vice-president of First Division exchanges, were held at the Flatbush Memorial Chapel, Brooklyn, on Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Louis I. Phillips, Jules Chapman, Robert Benjamin and other friends and associates attended the rites. MRS. HOMER J. GATES DIES Buffalo — Mrs. Homer J. Gates, 46, organizer of the Better Films Council of the City Federation of Women’s Clubs, and well-known social leader of the city, died, recently at her home. 20 BOXOFnCE :: May 22, 1937.