Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

COVrRINC MICHIGAN, OHIO. KENTUCKY, WEST VIRGINIA AND WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA GOV. EARLE'S HEAT MELTS SOLONS Mich. Solons Grind Against July Limit Lansing, Mich.— With the Michigan state legislators back hard at work after the Decoration Day holiday, all of the bills affecting the industry in the auto state are still before them. It is doubtful that any of the bills will become law by July 1, when the legislature is expected to adjourn. The bill to outlaw screen advertising from Michigan Theatres has been reported out of the ways and means committee on the house floor, but no action has been taken by that division of the legislature. All of the other bills are still reposing harmlessly in committee envelopes. A bill, similar to the one introduced in Nebraska, is now before the legislature committee to prohibit Ascap from operating in Michigan. The society is expected to wage a campaign against this bill, as it is doing in other states. H. M. Richey, general manager of Allied, was expected to spend some time here this week working against all of the bills. The censorship and admission tax bills which were introduced some weeks ago are definitely not expected to get very far in the session this season. BILL POSTERS' UNION WINS WAGE HIKE Detroit — With all peaceful among the film and theatre unions here during the last two weeks, the bill posters’ union has demanded and received a wage hike. The posters are now receiving $9.00 a day instead of $8.00 daily. This scale is in effect for United Bill Posting, National Bill Posting, Walker and Company, and MacDonald and Company. Penn. Amusement Tax Expiration luly 22 Pittsburgh — A warning was given operators of amusement places late last week by J. L. McCorry, division chief, department of revenue, stamp and amusement taxes, that rumors that the Pennsylvania amusement tax act expires May 31 are incorrect. The date of expiration is July 22. Persons failing to obtain necessary permits and pay the necessary tax before expiration of the act will be prosecuted. Warners Reopening All Closed Theatres Pittsburgh — Plans for extensive remodeling of the Washington Theatre, Washington, Pa., are completed and Warner Bros, executives are now going over the prices with Victor A. Rigaumont, affiliated architect. Warners reopened the Majestic Theatre, Butler, Pa., several weeks ago. This property had been closed for a number of years. This circuit’s Majestic Theatre, Johnstown, Pa., also closed for a long period, is being prepared for reopening late in the summer. Another of the Warner houses, the old Peoples Theatre, Tarentum, Pa., is being reopened. When the lights have been turned on at these properties the circuit will have all its local zone’s houses in operation. Starts New Ad Service Pittsburgh — Trav-L-Sign, advertising projector designed for indoor or outdoor continuous display, is being handled here by Mort England, Bank Night and theatre premium representative. Penn.'s "Extravagant" Legislature Nears End of a Long Road Pittsburgh — Long delayed adjournment of the 132nd regular session of the Pennsylvania general assembly seemed assured for late this week at press time as Governor George H. Earle turned on the heat with increasing temperatures. The session was one of the most extravagant and roughest on record in the state. Sunday Veto Highlight Highlight of the prior week’s activities in relation to the motion picture trade was the vetoing of a measure by Governor Earle which would have permitted referendums this fall on Sunday shows in districts where the issue was previously defeated. This act had passed the house by a vote of 152 to 54 and the senate by a vote of 26 to 18, but Earle vetoed the measure because of its “selfishness.” Under terms of the act, communities where Sunday movies had been defeated in 1935 referendums would be privileged to have a special referendum at the primary election this year, while no provisions for referendums were set up for those communities where Sunday movies had been legalized. Exhibitors who had lobbied for enactment of the bill were very disappointed when the veto was announced. Rough Over Chain Tax Pennsylvania’s chain store tax, which includes chain theatres and gas stations, one of the most debatable subjects of the session, which is pending at press time, was the cause of much of the legislature’s roughness. Senate version of the Patterson-Stank chain store tax bill, with a levy on chain theatres included, was adopted by the house last week by a vote of 192 to 13. Governor Earle had opposed the tax on theatres, but his forces gave in on this and several other measures. Fireworks had been promised from the time the original bill was introduced early in the session, long before the theatre amendment was added. Unlike the Louisiana act, the Pennsylvania chain store levy is figured only on the basis of the number of units (Continued on page 62) MIDEAST EDITION Is One of the Seven Sectional Editions in Which BOXOFFICE Is Published Weekly. The Other Six Editions Are: NEW ENGLAND, CENTRAL, MIDWEST, WESTERN, SOUTHERN, EASTERN. ELSIE LOEB, 12805 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. R. F. KLINGENSMITH, 1701 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pa. EUGENE D. RICH, 2425 Cass Ave., Detroit, Mich., Phone Randolph 7978. CLARA HYDE, 127 Tremont St., Ft. Thomas, Ky.. Phone Highland 1667.