Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1939)

Oklahoma Measure Is Alter A Film Inspection Board Oklahoma City — A bill has been introduced into the state legislature calling for creation of a state board of film inspection assessing a fee of $3 per thousand feet of film for inspection, with heavy fines for violations by exhibitors or distributors. The Cooper-Chambers bill, house bill number 476, also creates a division of visual education in the state department of education, and a supervisor of visual education with a $3,600 salary. A state librarian of visual education at $2,400 and three stenographers at $1,500 each also are provided for in addition to three members of the board appointed by the governor and to hold office at his pleasure who will draw $8 per day, plus all traveling expenses for their work. “Only such films as are in the judgment and discretion of the state board of film inspection of a moral, educational, or amusing and harmless character shall be passed and approved by said board” the bill provides. “When a film has been censored by said board a certificate showing the approval or rejection of such film shall be issued to the party submitting the film. When a film is passed and approved by said board such film shall be given an approval number which shall be shown on the certificate issued by said board to the party submitting the film.” Provide School’s Films The bill provides that the board shall also issue an official leader or stamp of approval, “of not less than three feet in length bearing the words ‘approved by the Oklahoma state board of film inspection’ and the number assigned to such films on the certificate of approval . . . The state board of film inspection shall be authorized to recall any film for inspection or to revoke any certificate permitting the exhibition of any film in the state of Oklahoma whenever in the judgment of said board the public welfare requires it. Before any motion picture shall be publicly exhibited and for which an admission fee is charged, all eliminations ordered by said board shall have been made by the person or persons loaning, renting, or leasing such film or films to the exhibitor for exhibition, and there shall be projected upon the screen the design of the official leader or stamp of approval of not less than three feet in length.” Moneys collected are to go to thei maintenance of the aforementioned division of visual education, which is to “Prepare, publish and distribute to educational institutions and the public schools of the state a bulletin containing information and instruction relating to the most effective use of visual education in the educational program; purchase films of distinctive educational value in the various courses of instruction offered in the institutions and public schools of the state and to lend said films to said institutions and schools and to maintain a properly indexed library of all films obtained.” Fines are set up under the following schedule : To exhibitors for showing films not approved by the board, $25 to $300 on first offense and $300 to $500 thereafter. To distributors for sending such films to exhibitors, $300 to $500 for first offense and $500 to $1,000 thereafter. To any who shall deliver such films the same fines as apply to distributors. For exhibition without the official leader stamp of approval before the film, $25 to $300, with the same to distributors or carriers. For exhibition of films without ordered deletions made, $25 to $300 and $300 to $500. For distribution of same, $300 to $500 and $500 to $1,000. For exhibition without certificate of approval, $25 to $300 and $500. For distribution without certificate, $300 to $500 and $500 to $1,000. “Any person or agent, employe or officer of a corporation or firm who shall counterfeit such hereinbefore described official leader or stamp of approval,” the bill provides, “or use or have in his possession such a counterfeit leader or any similar designation not issued by the state board of film inspection, shall upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than $100 nor more than $300 or be imprisoned not less than 30 days or more than one year, or both for each offense.” The bill provides for appeal to the district court from decisions of the state board of film inspection, calls for it becoming effective July 1, 1939, and carries an emergency clause. Wallace Walthall Month Extended One Week Dallas — Wallace Walthall Month has been extended an extra week. This testimonial sales drive, in honor of Wallace Walthall’s 15th year of continuous service with National Screen, was originally scheduled for a five-week period starting March 1, but when the “flu” epidemic struck down several of the salesmen, as well as the office force, and when the indications pointed to a record-breaking drive, Paul Short, divisional manager, decided to extend the time limit for another week. Incidentally, and maybe just to prove to himself that he was as fit as he feels, Wallace made his annual trek to the family physician and had a complete “going over,” and wound up with a verdict of “100 per cent.” That made him feel so good that he re-entered the contest with renewed vigor. Del Ruth on "Star Maker" Hollywood — “The Star Maker,” Charles R. Rogers production for Paramount release and starring Bing Crosby, will be directed by Roy Del Ruth on a loanout from 20th-Fox. Anti-Ascap Bill to Oklahoma Solons Oklahoma City — The looked-for antiAscap measure has been introduced into the current session of the state legislature and will be brought up for committee hearings shortly unless adjournment of the legislative session occurs too soon. Backed by state radio and theatremen the bill has been introduced as SB 207 by Senators Taylor and Hearne and Representative Porta. The bill provides that it will be unlawful for any person to sell or license the use of the performing rights to any musical composition which has been copyrighted under the laws of the United States unless there has been filed with the secretary of state a list describing each such composition and the performing rights which are for sale. An affidavit must be filed at the same time showing the copyright symbol or number, the authority to sell the musical rights or license their use with the name, age, occupation of both agent and composer. It makes such lists available for examination of the public and provides for publication of such lists at the discretion of the secretary of state. The section of the bill which hits at the Ascap system of licensing its musical compositions and score charges on films reads as follows: “It shall be unlawful for any person licensing the use of, in this state, the performing rights in or to any musical composition or dramatic-musical composition, to make any charge, or to contract for or collect, any compensation, as a condition of using said performing rights based in whole or in part, on any program not containing any such composition. Any such charge or contract for compensation shall be valid and enforceable only to the extent that it is based and computed upon a program in which such composition is rendered.” The biU provides for a filing fee of two cents for each composition listed. It also provides that no person shall be entitled to maintain any proceeding in any court with respect to such performing rights, or to coUect any compensation on account of any sale, license or other disposition of such performing rights in this state, except upon pleading and proving compliance with the provisions of the act. It sets any violation of the provisions of the proposed law as a misdemeanor and punishable under Oklahoma state laws which shall regulate minimum and maximum fines for misdemeanors. Site to Circuit Victoria, Tex. — Sale of the Bai’rington property on West Forrest St. to the LongGriffith Theatres for $22,500 has been announced. 'The circuit will erect a new showhouse on the site at once to cost about $65,000, it was stated. 104 BOXOFTICE :: March 25, 1939