Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1941)

Tax on Film Rentals Proposed in Conn. Hartford — A state tax on motion picture film rentals by Connecticut theatres would be imposed under the terms of a bill introduced into the state senate here by Senator John L. Sullivan (D) of New Britain. According to the terms of the proposed bill, when the rent paid for the film is from $500 to $1,000 a week, there would be a five per cent tax, and where the rent exceeds $1,000 a week, the tax would be seven and one-half per cent. If the theatre grosses more than $2,000 per week, under the measure, it would be assumed that the film rental is $500 a week. Stating that the bill is aimed at circuit theatres, Senator Sullivan declared that a provision permitting deduction of the value of premiums given out by the theatre from the gross is designed to assist the independent situations. The above bill is the first legislative proposal actually aimed toward the industry in Connecticut. Harry Goldman Chairman Salesmen's Club Dance Boston — The fifth annual dinner-dance of the Motion Picture Salesmen’s Club will be held at the Cocoanut Grove on Sunday, April 20. Harry I. Goldman of Producers Releasing Corp., president of the organization, is general chairman. Reservations, which are going at six dollars a couple, may be secured from Maynard Sickles of the Capitol Theatre Supply Co., secretary. Goldman, also chairman of the entertainment committee, has announced that additional talent will be brought in for the affair. He is being assisted in this field by Harry Rosenblatt of M-G-M and Saul Simons of Columbia. Sickles, in charge of the program committee in addition to his other duties, is being assisted by John Felone of 20thFox, Mac Farber of Imperial, Frank Dervin of Universal, Saul Simons of Columbia, and James Connolly of 20th-Fox. Berg Reports Tickets Move For Cinema Club Dance Boston — Sam Berg, president of the Boston Cinema Club and general chairman in charge of the forthcoming March 15 annual dinner-dance of the fraternity, reported this week that subsequent ticket sales already have been made. Berg, 20th-Fox head booker .here, has been calling a number of special meetings to further plans for the Sunday charitable festivities at the Cocoanut Grove. Reservations are going at five dollars a pair. "Kitty Foyle" a Record Breaker Boston — “Kitty Foyle,” combined with “The Saint in Palm Springs,” stayed six weeks at Keith’s Memorial and broke all previous gross and booking records. (<■'■' ■ = = ==fr 75-Year-Old Park Will Be Razed Bridgeport, Conn. — The Park, threequarters of a century old and at one time the city's top theatre, is to be torn down, according to Frank Shea, president of the Park Theatre Co., owners of the building. The house long has been dark except for occasional road companies. Of late, bricks have been falling from the walls onto autos in a nearby parking lot. v* — J Mass . Governor in Tribute To "Land of Liberty" Boston — “On behalf of the Commonwealth I wish to commend the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America for the patriotic service you are performing in presenting the motion picture, ‘Land of Liberty,’ ” Gov. Leverett Saltonstall of Massachusetts said in a letter to Will Hays last week. “There is certainly no better way of building patriotic values,” His Excellency continued, “than by portraying the dramatic story of the birth and development of the democracy of the United States. I am delighted that the film is being shown in Massachusetts.” Charles E. Kurtzman, local Loew’s division manager, has announced that a “Land of Liberty” committee has been composed of some one hundred outstanding Bostonians to sponsor the showing of the feature at Loew’s State and Orpheum. McBride Has Tibbetts as Aide at Boston State Boston — Edward McBride, recently manager of Loew’s State in Providence, this week officially took over managerial duties of Loew’s State in Boston. James Tibbetts, formerly treasurer to Howard Burkhardt at the Orpheum, came into the State, Boston, as assistant to McBride, succeeding Edmund Howard, resigned. Tom Foley, formerly of Loew’s State here, has been appointed Loew’s Orpheum assistant treasurer by Charles Kurtzman, division manager. Emil Weretelnyk, also of the Orpheum, has been made treasurer. Plans for 800-Seater in Concord Await Approval Boston — Plans for a new Colonial-type theatre in Concord have been readied for filing with the state public building department. Julius Meyers is the nominal head of the interests backing the project, set for completion early next fall. The proposed 800-seater, to be known as the Concord Theatre, will be the town’s first regular motion picture house. Week's Batch Passes Boston — No film eliminations were reported last week as the Massachusetts bureau of Sunday censorship approved 38 motion pictures without a hitch. Cut ''This Thing" for Boston City Censor Boston — John Spencer, Boston city censor, moved ahead last week in his recently announced campaign, first reported by this publication. Spencer contacted local Loew’s, Inc., authorities for an interview which resulted in minor deletions in “This Thing Called Love,” held over at Loew’s State and Orpheum. The state censorship board gave “This Thing Called Love” a complete bill of health. Spencer also moved against the Trans Lux, operated by Interstate Theatres Corp., ordering the management to stop distribution of a folder advertising this week’s opening of “Virgin Bride” and “School for Husbands.” Spencer also requested a special pre-release showing of the Danielle Darrieux feature, scheduled to open last Wednesday. “The Virgin Bride,” renamed French release, was not on the original list of motion pictures that Spencer recently distributed among local theatre operators demanding that he be notified in writing not less than four days before the proposed showing of any of them. A previous Danielle Darrieux vehicle, “Club des Femmes,” was included in the order. Spencer told this publication that his list of 34 motion pictures was largely drawn from Legion of Decency listings although he had added the names of several features from information gathered from National Board of Review reactions. Springfield Film Council Classifies New Product Springfield, Mass. — The Springfield Motion Picture Council has announced, as follows, its “classified list of forthcoming films:” For adults — “The Philadelphia Story.” For the family — “Land of Liberty.” For adults and young people — “Night Train,” “You’re the One,” “Life With Henry,” “Virginia,” “Hudson’s Bay,” “Tall, Dark and Handsome,” “Invisible Woman,” “South to Karanga,” and “This Thing Called Love.” Worcester Better Films Council Issues Digest Worcester, Mass. — The Worcester Better Films Council, of which Mrs. Howard S. Shepard, is president, has announced, as follows, its “movie digest:” For young people (from 15 years of age) — “Tin Pan Alley,” “The Mark of Zorro,” “Thief of Bagdad,” and “Let’s Make Music.” For adults — “Six Lessons From Madame LaZonga,” “The Philadelphia Story,” “Michael Shayne, Private Detective,” “Pastor Hall,” “I Love You Again,” “Arise My Love,” “The Great Profile,” “South of Suez,” and “Honeymoon for Three.” For the family — “Thief of Bagdad” and “Keeping Company.” 62 BOXOFFICE : : February 22, 1941