Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

keepers joined the theatre operators in a delegation which met the Mayor and aldermen and pointed out the hardships inflicted not only on business but on the 133 theatre employes who are out of work as a result of the closing. They asked the city not to insist on collecting the tax, and the first break in the adamant stand taken by the council came when it intimated it would “consider” the suggestion. The proposed setup, as given by Louis St. Laurent, K. C., acting for the theatre interests, is this: “That the city agree on not enforcing the 10 per cent amusement tax, and hence not take action against any of the theatres for failing to pay it. The theatre heads would then appear before the provincial government and seek a similar ‘laissez-faire’ there. Mr. St. Laurent said the theatres would be willing to ‘take a chance’ on there not being objection taken by any individual until the tax item be dealt with at the next session of the legislature. As previously reported, the clause in the Quebec Bill, adopted by the legislature, provided that the city ‘will’ collect 10 per cent on all amusement attendance, thus explaining the previous stand of the City Fathers. Prior to opening of the discussion Mr. St. Laurent had placed a sheaf of signatures— of an estimated 28,000 — on the table before the Mayor. The signatures are protests against the 10 per cent tax and its alleged results, and were gathered as a means of ‘indicating public opinion.’ Although there were brief verbal clashes at the meeting the general tone of the deliberations was more modified than at any previous encounter between the two bodies. Prominent Citizens Testify Concern was felt on both sides at the reported losses the city was suffering as a result of the theatres closing. A score or more prominent Quebecers — several of whom offered brief remarks — made up the delegation. Gerald Martineau, past district governor of Kiwanis Club for eastern Canada, speaking as an “average citizen” said: “I consider it a matter of civic pride to get this thing settled. It is steering trade from Quebec and cutting us out of capital circulation. Our tourist industry shows a falling off since the theatres closed.” Said Omer Fleury, of the Council of Trades and Labor, speaking for the 133 who had lost their jobs: “Desist from collecting the tax until at least September 15, by use of the plan already suggested, and then decide on a more definite move. Let these people go back to work.” A local hotel head added: “The first thing visitors ask is where they can attend a good show. Many have left immediately or cut short their visit when told of the situation here.” Protest against loss of trade came also from a local druggist. The interview ended with Mayor Borne’s statement: “This is not a fight between the theatres and city. We deplore the present situation as much as you do, and are especially sympathetic towards those who lost their jobs. It is unfortunate that theatre representatives did not appear to debate the clause when the Bill was pre sented. According to the actual law of the Bill itself there is nothing we can do, but your proposal is welcome, and we will give it close consideration.” Concern over the closing of the Quebec theatres extends to Montreal where theatre managers fear that if the City of Quebec is successful in collecting the tax, a similar tax may be levied by Montreal City Council. Presented! — The only Canadian theatre manager believed actually presented to Their Majesties King George and Queen Elizabeth during the Royal Tour is Leo Coyle of the Granada Theatre, St. Catharines, Ont., shown with Mrs. Coyle, both of whom met the British Monarchs. Mr. Coyle is chairman of the Separate School Board of St. Catharines. Ontario's Exclusion Dents Tax Return Toronto — While theatre patrons of eight of the nine provinces of the Dominion are contributing more towards the amusement tax, the total revenue from the ticket levy for the whole country is less for the fiscal year of 1938 than for any of the preceding three years because of the abolition of the impost in the Province of Ontario. Compilation of official returns from all provincial governments for the last fiscal 12 months shows that $1,761,401 was collected from amusement patrons, as compared with $1,861,892 for 1937 and $3,196,136 for 1936. The total for the 1936 period included the last full year’s collection by the Ontario government of $1,918,597 which was considerably more than the $1,277,539 collected by all other provinces for the same 12 months. Included in the 1937 total is the final collection of $227,669 in the Ontario tax immediately prior to its abolition. Ontario does not figure in the list at all for 1938 because there was no levy in this province other than fees for theatre and exchange licenses and for censorship. Amusement tax receipts for the Province of Quebec went over the million mark for the latest fiscal year, the total being $1,018,331, as compared with $929,537 for 1937 and $695,566 for 1936. The net proceeds of this levy was turned back to the hospitals and charity institutions of the respective municipalities in ratio to local collections. Second highest in Provincial totals for 1938 was British Columbia with $220,174, which was up from $209,174 for the previous year and $195,231 in 1936. The tax revenue in Manitoba for 1938 was $177,316, compared with $174,316 and $156,440 for the two preceding years. Alberta collected $158,227, which was a substantial increase from $142,156 and $136,830 in 1937 and 1936. The total for New Brunswick was $96,098, compared with previous total of $88,098 and $81,833 while collections in Nova Scotia have hovered around $80,000. The tiny Province of Prince Edward Island derived $11,255 from the tax in 1938, against $10,942 in 1937 and $11,639 in 1936. The fiscal years in the various Provinces do not exactly coincide but the periods correspond sufficiently to justify totals and comparisons imder the annual headings. The high water mark for amusement tax revenue was recorded in 1935 when the impost in Ontario reached $2,007,000, at which time every admission bracket from one cent up came under the tax without exemption. Concessions came later when juvenile admissions were removed from the scope of the levy and the tax on lowerpriced tickets was reduced. Over a period of years the Ontario tax total was considerably in excess of all comparable revenue from all other provinces put together. Nova Scotia Booking Knot Tangles /. M. Franklin Toronto — J. M. Franklin of Halifax, N. S., head of the Franklin-Herschorn group of theatres in the Maritime Provinces, made a flying visit to Toronto to confer with film executives regarding the film booking situation in Nova Scotia. Mr. Franklin has arranged to open a new theatre, his seventh, in Yarmouth but discovered that new film contracts could not be effected pending the straightening away of the problem created by the passing of the Film Exchange Act by the Nova Scotia Legislature providing for penalties for alleged “undue discrimination” by distributors. Subsequent to the adoption of this act, the creation of a conciliation board was agreed upon with N. W. Mason, a New Glasgow independent as chairman. Mr. Franklin was advised that new contracts could not be signed until the whole situation has been reviewed and a general plan accepted by all interests involved. Next Leisen Chore Hollywood — Next assignment for Director Mitchell Leisen at Paramoimt will be “Remember the Night,” co-starring Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck. 72 BOXOmCE :: July 1, 1939