Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1947)

Exhibitors in Michigan Unite Against Ascap From Mideasf Edition DETROIT — The fight against increased fees by Ascap has strengthened exhibitor unity in Michigan, Jack Stewart, general manager of Allied Theatres of Michigan, reports. Nearly 125 pledges were received by midweek, many representing two or more theatres. Each theatre pledged a contribution of 25 per cent of its annual Ascap fee to a general fund to defray all expenses, costs of suits, attorneys’ fees, etc., in connection with opposition to the demands for upped license fees. The fight against Ascap was to be mapped at a mass meeting to be held here Wednesday, September 24. PLEDGES POURING IN An association bulletin reads: “At last a ray of light is appearing and the cherished hopes of this organization seems to be formulating — that of unity and solidarity of the exhibitors of this state. The response by all was indeed gratifying. Checks are now pouring into this office with their signed pledges by every mail. “Since the meeting several of our members have been contacted by the local Ascap office with a request that we send some representative to New York, where they propose to hold a joint meeting with all recognized exhibitor bodies for a discussion of their licensing fee. It has been decided that Dave Newman and Joe Uvick will take this trip. UNANIMITY IS PRAISED “It is indeed gratifying to note when disaster comes — and assuredly this is disastrous — the unanimity with which exhibitors, irrespective of a variance in opinions, will unite to fight the common foe. We are confident that much good material benefit will accrue by virtue of this fight. “If you have any red blood in your body and if you can stand up like a man, now is the time to show it. Ascap has decided to take a part of your receipts instead of charging you by the seat per year. In other words, under the new plan Ascap will take the capacity sale of the theatre for a single performance and use that as the amount of the annual fee. “Here is how it works: Suppose you have a 500-seat theatre, you now pay $50 per year. Under the new plan you would be paying $200. That means a capacity sale of one performance, on the basis if your admission was 40 cents for adults. ‘WHY PAY MUSIC TAX?’ “To me that is plain robbery. It is like holding a gun to your stomach and saying, ‘Give me, or you can’t run your show.’ Do you want that? Are you willing to pay that crazy price to Ascap when other states have by injunction prevented Ascap from operating? “Why should exhibitors pay any music tax? I have been contending for years that exhibitors should not be compelled to pay this illegal tax. Let us act now. We can stop this robbery. We can’t delay. I know we can lick this racket.” Jack Ellstrom Home Bums From Mideast Edition PITTSBURGH — The home of Jack Ellstrom, 20th-Fox salesman, at Zelienople burned early last Saturday. Jack made his home with his mother and brother. They lost everything. The Ellstroms had a narrow escape only a few weeks ago when gas escaped from a mechanical refrigerator. ST. JOHN Johnny Gray, once an usher at the Halifax ' Orpheus and now leading the way in the demolition of this old film house, is reported to have encountered some concrete walls and foundations made in “the honest way,” giving the wreckers unexpected trouble and delaying the blitzing of this former church, erected about 80 years ago. A children’s film club has been organized by Walker-Affiliated Theatres at Halifax, the debut being made at a Saturday morning show of the new Armview. A1 Foster, new manager of the Armview, was “farewelled” by fellow Kiwanians before leaving Yarmouth, N. S., where he managed the Community for about nine years. He received a past president’s ring. Arrangements have been made for the Armview to be a base for the fall and winter series of concerts and recitals to be held by the Mutual Concert Ass’n of Halifax. The two Yarmouth theatres have been getting some unexpected patronage from people stranded in Yarmouth by inability to get accommodations on the Boston-bound steamer. On one trip, about 250 were said to have been left on the dock. The Summerside, P.E.I., theatres are the only maritime houses now getting consistent patronage from U.S. servicemen. Thrice weekly big U.S. army air force planes land at Summerside to load milk for consumption at Harmon field, N. F. Crew members take time out to visit the theatres. An innovation recently was a baseball doubleheader between the local team and the Harmon outfit. All theatres at St. John’s, N. F., have been getting U.S. ai'my and navy business practically every day, from the four U.S. bases at Newfoundland: Forts Pepperell, McAndrew, Argentia and Harmon field. Grand Falls and Corner Brook theatres also get patronage from U.S. soldiers, airmen and sailors. In many instances, the patrons come from the bases in planes. In lesser volume, this applies to the base at Goose Bay, Lab. Morley Luke of Montreal, architect who specializes in theatres, spent a few days at Tynemouth Creek, N. B., as a guest of Mitchell Franklin. He was accompanied by his wife. The firm of Luke, Little & Mace is planning the new Vogue, Halifax . . . The southwest coast of Newfoundland has asked to be included in any documentary on Newfoundland, and that this film be not limited to St. John’s and district. On the eve of his marriage to Carmella Macintosh, a nurse of Glace Bay, Edgar Connor, manager of the Savoy there, was given a surprise in his office. Felicitations were read by Jimmy Morrison and then Gordon Roberts made a presentation in behalf of the Savoy staff. There was dancing, and refreshments were distributed by Betty Chiasson, Margie MacDonald, and Jerusha Wareham. Frances Lasouski led a vocalizing group. Connor is a son of the late John Connor, for some 35 years owner of the Savoy, which is now an FPC affiliate. Cora Pierce Richmond, who died recently at Sanford, Me., was a singing teacher who taught Walter Pidgeon about 40 years ago, when his ambition was to be a concert warbler, and he was doing sales work in his father’s St. John Hndiantown) clothing and footwear store. Henry Kulkavitch, who claims to be a Hollywood character actor, is back on the maritime wrestling route, which includes presentation of the usual “grab and grimace” acts at Halifax, St. John, Truro, Moncton, Kentville, Yarmouth, New Glasgow and Pictou. 2700 Used Theatre Chairs, upholstered backs, spring cushions, $3 each f.o.b. Rochester, N. Y. contact — Jack McGrath, 1046 Broadway. 5-5055 Albany, N. Y. "Playing the market or reading the Selling Seats section in BOXOFFICE?" HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM BOXOFFICE: Please enter my subscription to BOXOFFICE, 52 issues per year (13 of which contain The MODERN THEATRE Section), including the NEW BOXOFFICE PICTURE GUIDE, DATE & RECORD BOOK. □ $2.00 FOR 1 YEAR □ $3.50 FOR 2 YEARS □ $5.(i0 FOR 3 YEARS □ Remittance Enclosed □ Send Invoice THEATRE STREET ADDRESS TOWN STATE NAME POSITION BOXOFFICE : : September 27, 1947 103