Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Blanks on Chain Tax Surprise in Piit Pittsburgh— Exhibitors were surprised this week when they received new application blanks under the Pennsylvania chain store and theatre tax law for the year June 1, 1939 to May 31, 1940. This law was declared unconstitutional under a decree of the Dauphin County Court, and has been taken into the high court of the commonwealth by Gov. Arthur H. James. Two acts were introduced into the recent session of the legislature which provided for refunds under the chain store and theatre tax law, but they were buried in committee. East McKeesport Is Site For New Malanos House Pittsburgh — East McKeesport will have a modern theatre in the early fall under plans announced this week by N. A. Malanos, veteran exhibitor. The East McKeesport site, at Broadway and Fifth, is now being prepared for construction work to be started within two weeks. William G. Perry is the architect. Seating capacity will be around 500. Frederick Theatre Enterprises of East Pittsburgh will own and operate the new East McKeesport house, according to Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Malanos and family. Name of the theatre will be the Loyal, in memory of the late Charles Malanos, brother of N. A. Malanos, who together opened the old Loyal Theatre, East Pittsburgh, a quarter of a century ago. Krul Files Suit Over the Operation of Frontenac Detroit — A suit has been filed in circuit court by Joseph B. Krul, operator of the New Home and Fredro, against Louis P. and Viktoria Gayeski, who formerly operated the Frontenac, in which Krul was interested. The suit arises out of an old contract involving their operation of the Frontenac, which they gave up about five years ago, and is being filed to protect the “interest of the plaintiff,” according to L. F. Covey, his attorney. West Virginia Billboards Licensed After July 1 Charleston, W. Va. — Thousands of billboards and roadside signs in West Virginia will be licensed under the new law which will be enforced July 1, according to Road Commissioner Burr H. Simpson. The 1939 legislature fixed a $100 license fee for those in the outdoor advertising business and outlawed signs within 500 feet of a church, school or public park outside municipalities and any signs which obstruct highway views or imitate official signs. Postpone Hearing of Film Rental Suit Columbus — Hearing of the suit which would make film rentals subject to the state three per cent sales tax, has been postponed until some time in July, it is reported. The Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio, through its secretary, P. I. Wood, is preparing to put up a stiff fight against the application. Non-Theatrical Accounts Servicing Protested Pittsburgh— MPTO of W. Pa., Inc., has forwarded a general letter of protest to all local film distributors regarding the continued servicing of non-theatrical accounts. Such protest has been made on various occasions, and the exhibitor organization directors state that they have been assured in the past that such contracts and bookings would be rejected in the future. After a while the non-theatricals are more bothersome than ever, and exhibitor leaders have to notify the exchanges of their displeasure. The 16mm exhibitions too are on the increase in the local territory, with many such operators offering double features for a nickel. A Boxoffice reporter found a backwoods West Virginia circuit operator of “portable silent” picture equipment. Withholding Threat Mansfield, Ohio — Second Bank Night in as many weeks was held at the Madison here without any interference. Police Chief Meade K. Bates for some time threatened arrests if the scheme was introduced at the local theatre. Four-Year DeMille Pact Hollywood — A new four-year contract as a producer-director has been signed by Cecil B. DeMille at Paramount. His next assignment will be “Royal Canadian Mounted,” in Technicolor. Michigan Tax Bill Still Threatens Detroit — The threat of a three per cent theatre admission tax — an extension of the present sales tax on general commodities— still exists, it is learned despite the close defeat of the tax in the house three weeks ago. The legislature will meet for formal adjournment the end of this month, and Gov. Luren D. Dickinson has proposed that all legislators return at that time to pass further revenue-producing measures that appear to be necessary to maintain state finances. The theatre tax may be revived at that time, or in a special session which the governor probably will call immediately after if the legislators do not come back in numbers for the regular adjournment. Friburg Sells Interests At Galeton and Knox Johnsonburg, Pa. — Mark Kirkpatrick has purchased the interests of John C. Friburg in the Main Street Theatre, Galeton, Pa., and Pat Notarianni has purchased Friburg’s interests in the Knox Theatre, Knox, Pa. The transfers were made several days ago. Kirkpatrick and Notarianni were formerly partners with Friburg in the respective theatre enterprises. Several weeks ago Friburg transferred his theatre leases at Mt. Jewett and Smethport, Pa., to the Blatt Bros, circuit. Friburg, who is mayor of Johnsonburg, retains interests in the Johnsonburg Theatre Co., Inc., operating the Palace Theatre here, and the Union City Theatre Co., Inc., operating the Palace, Union City, Pa., both of which are managed under the direction of M. W. Peterson. "Stop, Look and Love" Hollywood — Twentieth-Fox’s “Harmony at Home” has been retitled “Stop, Look and Love.” Hosts Visitors on the Set — A pair of showmen and their wives highlight a Hollywood visit by dropping in on Jane Wyman, on the “Kid Nightingale’’ set at the Warner studio. Left to right: Mrs. Asher Shaw; C. F. Motley, of the Griffith Amusement Co., Oklahoma City; Miss Wyman; Asher Shaw, of the United Detroit Theatres, and Mrs. Motley. BOXOFFICE :: June 17, 1939 ME 59