Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

COUNTY OCCUPATIONAL LEVIES OUT Frels Suit Begins (Continued from page 117) though he had none of these new films under contract he did get five of them for his Uptown Theatre. Judge Atwell here interrupted, refusing to allow any testimony as to how he got them. It was believed the prosecuting attorneys were trying to bring out that Frels was awarded these films by the grievance board under the old NRA. Confirms Settlement Offers Frels corroborated the testimony of his secretary on the offers made him by Gordon and Clemmons. One, he said, was a pool in which the circuit was to handle buying and booking for four per cent, with Frels to have four per cent for management and the balance split 50-50. (Frels had two theatres and Jefferson one). The other, Frels, said, was that he was approached to pay Jefferson $7,500 in cash and take over Jefferson’s theatre lease and product deals for Victoria. Both offers were turned down by Frels, he testified. He was due for cross-questioning Tuesday morning. When the two propositions were turned down by Frels he testified Gordon said if they couldn’t get together on those deals there was one they could get together on and that was that Jefferson would build theatres in all of Frels towns, Frels said. The defense indicated it would stress the issues of copyright of films and interstate commerce in which category film business is placed. Much of the testimony Monday was based on knowledge and belief without written evidence, although some written documents were exhibited. Four Film Companies Involved The defendants involved among the film companies are: Paramount, M-G-M, 20th Century-Fox, Vitagraph, with the complaints withdrawn that were originally filed against other distributors. Besides Jefferson and its subsidiary, East Texas Theatres, and J. G. Long, the other defendants include B. F. Fordtran, of Bellville, a former partner of Frels, Sol E. Gordon, J. C. Clemmons and Tom Clemmons. Attorneys for both sides presented their cases to the jury as court opened. The plaintiff is represented by Pat Russell, (Continued on page 121) Advertise with ENCORE MOTION PICTURE PROGRAMS $3.75 PER THOUSAND SAMPLES FREE DUKEHART PRINTING SERVICE 99 WALTON ST. ATLANTA MacCORMACK PROVES LIFE OF THE PARTY Dallas — National Theatre Supply Company’s C. W. A. MacCormack took almost the past week off to attend the Shrine state conclave in Wichita Palls. Friends said Mac did attend the meet and mingled with red hats from all over Texas in a big way. Bearing out his reputation as a funster, MacCormack acted as head of the traffic cops on Wichita streets. He was leader of an orchestra. Pursuant to several telegrams bearing a name at the bottom of one of the nation’s most important figures, Mac conducted the broadcasting at various times over KGKO, giving both stock and weather reports. He missed his cue at one period, failing to give the stock market, coming on later, however, to mention that the market was blank at the time and proceeded to give the weather. He used a number of devices to reproduce barnyard effects in the broadcasts, each of which he introduced with the crowing of one of Pathe’s pet roosters. His temporary move to Wichita was very strenuous, he said, obliging him to put in about 28 hours a day. He was back in Dallas this week at National preferring his regular hours which are somewhat shorter. NEW MARTIN-THOMPSON HOUSE Eastman, Ga. — Negotiations are in progress for the erection of a new $15,000 theatre building here for the MartinThompson Theatre circuit. If the deal is concluded work will begin on the building June 1, it is said. Georgia High Court Rules Theatres Immune to Such Tax Atlant.a — A Georgia county may not levy an occupational tax against a motion picture theatre, according to a ruling made by the Georgia supreme court. The high court held that a county has the right to levy a license tax to operate a theatre, but as the state already levies an occupational tax against amusement houses, the county cannot levy a similar tax. The court did not point out the distinction between a license tax and an occupational tax. The ruling was in answer to questions certified to the court by the court of appeals in the case of Brooks county against the Ilex Theatre of Quitman. New Theatre Corp. Orangeburg, S. C. — A charter has been granted by the Orangeburg Theatres, Inc., authorized to own and operate moving picture and other theatres and to engage in amusement and recreational enterprises: to own and rent real estate and for such other activities allowed by law, the amount of stock capital $10,000, payable immediately, divided 100 shares of par value of $100 each. GEORGE WEEKS IN MEMPHIS Memphis — George W. Weeks, GB general sales manager, and Mrs. Weeks, who started on a leisurely motor trip last week to Los Angeles, arrived here this week to spend several days visiting with friends. FOR PERFECTION . . we recommend KAPLAN PROJECTORS FOR PERFECT SCREEN PROJECTION STRONG MOGUL LAMPS FOR PERFECT SCREEN ILLUMINATION ROTH GENERATORS FOR PERFECT ARC SUPPLY NEUMADE CABINETS FOR PERFECT SAFETY DA-LITE SEAMLESS SCREENS FOR PERFECT VISIBILITY IDEAL CHAIRS FOR PERFECT COMFORT GENISTER TICKET REGISTERS FOR PERFECT BOXOFFICE RECORDS OUR PROMPT SERVICE FOR YOUR COMPLETE SATISFACTION SOUTHWESTERN THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. M. & M. BLDG. Phone Capitol 1879 HOUSTON, TEX. BOXOmCE :: May 29, 1937. 119