Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1941)

Would Tax Film Rented in Wisconsin 10 Per Cent They Honor Her — Mrs. Pearle Levy, assistant branch cashier of Warner’s Chicago exchange, who was honored by the force with a testimonial dinner on the occasion of her retirement after 15 years of active service. With her is shown Sid Rose, branch manager. Sosna Complaint to Tribunal Withdrawn St. Louis — Louis M. Sosna has withdrawn his complaint filed March 11 with the local arbitration tribunal involving first run pictures for the Sosna in Mexico, Mo., against Columbia, 20th Century-Fox, Loew’s, Paramount, Republic, RKO, Universal, United Artists and Vitagraph. Sosna’s complaint was the first officially filed with the local tribunal and its withdrawal leaves but one case pending, that of the Shirley Theatre Corp., Cape Girardeau, Mo., against RKO involving clearance for the Fox Midwest circuit houses over the Rialto in that city. It is understood that Sosna decided to withdraw his complaint when he learned that because of its nature, it could not be heard until September. Sosna, in his complaint, charged that various film distributors had encouraged him to open a new theatre in Mexico, promising to supply first run pictures for the house. About $40,000 was expended in converting a commercial building into a 400-seat theatre, known as the Sosna, which was opened in June, 1940, he said. However, he charged, only Vitagraph sold the house first run pictures and those were for the 1938-39 season. When the new selling season opened in July, 1940, Sosna charged none of the distributors named in his complaint would rent first run pictures to his house. When Louis M. Sosna, as manager of the theatre, demanded pictures, he said the distributors gave the excuse that their product had already been sold to the opposition theatre in Mexico. He further charged that the Sosna could not obtain a sufficient number of desirable first-run pictures for profitable operation. Madison — The most important legislative measure affecting the industry introduced to date, is the McParland bill providing for an occupational tax of 10 per cent on the rental of all film by the distributor, except on rentals of less than $500. Under the measure, distributors would be required to furnish city assessors with a list of films sold or rented in each locality on May 1 of each year. A bill introduced in the 1939 legislature, providing for a tax of $2.50 for each 1,000 feet of film, failed to pass. Back in the hopper after having been killed four times, is the Murray daylight B (0) W IIL III N (Gi Chicago — The M-G-M lads kept right on the tails of the leading Paramount quintet last week when both teams took all three games from their opponents, Paramount trouncing 20 ih Century-Fox while M-G-M swamped Universal. Abe Fischer, bowling for 20th CenturyFox, maintained his lead as high scorer with a 176 average. Other leading scorers are: Mike Fahey, Paramount, 174; Johnny Knaffle, United Artists, 174; Fred Hanzelin, M-G-M, 172; Max Dreifuss, Republic, 171, and Harry Pries, Paramount, 171. Team standings: Team — Won Lost Paramount 43 26 M-G-M 43 29 20th Century-Fo:: 33 34 Republic 33 36 Film Chauffeurs 35 37 United Artists 31 41 National Scioen : 31 41 Universal 23 44 saving bill. As the measure new stands, it would limit optional daylight saving to communities in Milwaukee county. Another tax measure introduced provides for a $10 license fee for each music or amusement box in the state. The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Charles W. Fowell, Viroqua, would also require amusement machine owners to file a $5,000 bond with the state treasurer. Also introduced is the Fehlaber bill, which would license “coin operated machines not used solely for the vending of merchandise” an annual fee of $25. A pari-mutuel horce racing bill has also been introduced by Assemblyman Nicholas J. Bichler, Belgium. The measure would create a racing commission of three to be appointed by the governor for six-year terms and to serve without pay except expenses. In Milwaukee county, horse racing associations would pay a license fee of $1,000 for each racing day. In other counties the fee would be $500. A tax of 20 cents would be levied on each admission ticket, and racing associations would obtain 10 percent of the pari-mutuel take as commission. Similar attempts to legalize horse race betting in past legislatures have failed. Being watched with interest by exhibitors in bill No. 207A in the state assembly, which provides that parts of churches used for commercial purposes and pecuniary profit or non-religious purposes, would be subject to taxes. Theatremen have contended that many religious organizations using church property for Bingo, should be obliged to pay taxes on such property. As the law now stands, such property is tax exempt. They Sponsored Springtield Greek Relief — Managers and owners of Springfield theatres who aided in sponsoring the Greek benefit show at the Orpheum and a number of public officials who took part in the program are shown above. Seated in front are Mayor John W. Kapp and Dwight Green, governor of Illinois, who were the principal speakers at the show, and standing, left to right, are Joseph Nepote, manager of the Esquire; Dave Jones, manager of the Senate; M. E. Berman, Orpheum; Louis Kerasotes, vice-president of Kerasotes Theatres, Inc.; Max Tschauder, Roxy; Gus Kerasotes, president of Kerasotes Theatres; Gilbert Keebler, administrative auditor to Governor Green; George Kerasotes, secretary -treasurer and general manager of Kerasotes Theatres; Secretary of State Edward J. Hughes; Dominic Giachetto, treasurer of Frisina Amusement Co.; Nicholas Kerasotes, Pantheon; Edmond Metzger, Strand; Charles Brown, assistant manager Orpheum; and C. C. Murray, Fox-Lincoln. BOXOFFICE :: March 29, 1941 89