Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1948)

"what's wrong with the movies," it's a pleasure to see the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce give such fine recognition to "whots right with the movies." If more city fathers, civic and business leaders would follow this example, they not only would be contributing to the welfare of their local theatres, but to the progress of their communities os well. •¥■ -tc In contrast to the foregoing there is the case of Richmond Heights, Mo., where two weeks ago the city council voted a five per cent tax on the gross receipts of the city's two motion picture theatres. In addition a $150-p6r-year license tax is to be assessed. The mayor estimated the new tax vdll exact $10,000 annually from the two theatres. Since the war, there have been many instances of similar discriminatory actions hitting local amusement enterprises, particularly motion picture theatres. Perhaps the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce views, given in the foregoing, could be helpful in stemming this growing and dangerous trend. ■K + Not So Fast A recent headline read: "Over 24-Hour Newsreels Facing Obsolescence." Times flies, but we didn't think it went that fast. Even if television does make the strides expected of it in the next three years when such a revolutionary change is anticipated, there still will remain news events in far corners of this country, let alone the world, where the television camerg cannot penetrate. Too, there will be events occurring simultaneously, all worthy of photographing and screening, which will perpetuate the use and value of present-day newsreels. If the reporting of on event 24 hours after its happening made it worthless, radio would long since have put newspapers into the discard; there would be no weekly newsmagazines or weekly newspapers — and, we might add, weekly tradepapers. Time flies, but not so fast that it by-passes those people who find in newsreels — even two weeks old, or older — something that speedier communications forms lose. Maybe television will serve to cause newsreel betterment; it won't, it can't, replace them. ^cd4e rrOA of New York Urges 'No Ascap Payments' In lengthy analysis of recent court decision, Milton Weisman, counsel for exhibitor group, attacks TOA advice to exhibitors to pay performing rights fees; says Balaban & Katz, Loew’s, RKO and Warners are among circuits discontinuing payments, and lists 10 Alliedaffiliated exhibitor associations as following same policy: also indicates Columbia, RKO and Eagle Lion shortly will start buying performance rights along with synchronization rights. -K AFM Studio Pact Extended Until August 31, 1949 Producers and James C. Petrillo, musicians’ union chief, issue joint statement to that effect, ending contract talks; wage negotiations, however, may be reopened at any time. -K Paramount Picture Earnings Down First Half of 1948 Profits for first six months total $13,570,000 as compared to $17,470,000 in same period a year ago; per share profit is $1.96 as compared to $2.45. ■K House Group Will Resume Red Hearings Sept. 7 J. Parnell Thomas, chairman of house unAmerican activities committee, says 26 persons connected with film industry will be subpoened; all have Communistic records. -K Gives $100,000 to Establish Babe Ruth Cancer Fund Sam Briskin, head of Revere Camera Co. and father-in-law of Betty Hutton, film actress, gives large gift to American Cancer society in memory of Sultan of Swat. -K TOA Is Conducting a Survey Of Railway Agency Rates Expect to present report to convention to be held September 24 and 25, in move to seek return of half rate fee for retm’n of film; details of convention now being prepared. -K RKO's Second Quarter Profit Is One-Fifth That of 1947 Consolidated net is $556,535 as compared to $2,836,663 for same period in 1947; net for first six months is $1,901,868 as to $5,107,347 for the same period last year. -k July Admissions Tax Receipts Up Over Preceding Month Collections hit $33,054,712 compared to $31,639,479 for June; receipts for month, however, failed to meet July 1947 figure of $34,972,435, Treasury department reports.