Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jul 14, 1956)

PAGE FOUR TAXES (Continued from Page 1) location still is regarded as “perfect” by Mr. Reinhorn. Television was only one factor in the closing, said Mr. Reinhorn. He termed taxation for the theatre “terrific,” considering the volume of business it did. Regina theatres now pay an annual business tax at the rate of 75 cents a seat. This tax yields the city $662.50 from the Nortown. The tax, previously 50 cents a seat, was increased to 75 cents a couple of years ago. In addition, the city derives revenue from the amusement tax on admissions, which approximates 10 per cent, and amounts to four cents on 50-cent admission tickets, and nine cents on a $1 ticket, based on a sliding scale. Some weeks ago, the Regina Motion Picture Exhibitors’ Association presented a brief to city council dealing with the economic difficulties of keeping theatres open, and asking for abolition of the amusement tax. The request was turned down. Mr. Reinhorn pointed out that theatre owners are being squeezed by high taxes, and _ declining revenues. In addition, because of increased costs of production and distribution, film distributors are asking high prices for the limited number of pictures available, while on the other hand, the public is not attending motion picture theatres the way it once did. Managers of oher Regina theatres backed up Reinhorn’s arguments, pointing out that they, like their colleagues elsewhere, are experiencing a marked slump in business, and claim that a cut in theatre taxes would certainly help in some measure. Hilliard Gunn, manager of the Capitol Theatre, said attendance at his house for the first quarter of the year was off 35 to 40 per cent from the same time in 1955, and that the outlook was certainly not very bright. He termed the amusement tax “quite heavy” and said some relief from it was needed. He also termed the business tax “very heavy.” Arnold Bercovich, of the Broadway Theatre, agreed with the views of Mr. Reinhorn and Mr. Gunn, and said all theatres were faced with the same difficulties. Jack Watson, of the Rex and Grand theatres, said it appeared that some Regina aldermen, in turning down the request made by the Exhibitors’ Association, just did not seem to care where future revenue was coming from. Lomas Heads Crawley Laboratory Division Ottawa: F. R. Crawley, President of Crawley Films, announces the appointment of Ivor Lomas, F.R.P.A., as Manager of Crawley’s Laboratory Division. On Kodak’s technical staff for six years, he joined Technicolor when they started their British plant. He was with them for 15 years, part of the time as Supervisor of the Positive Control Department. Latterly he has been Technical Manager of Color Film Services, one of Britain’s most respected labs. A writer and college lecturer on motion picture techniques and a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, Lomas came to Canada last year to head up Quality Control for Crawley’s and will continue in that post in addition to managing Crawley’s Laboratory. Assisting him in Quality Control is Ronald Couch, another top technician from Britain. His experience includes four years each at Technicolor, Paramount and Pinewood Studios. Bing Croshy Sought For Gregory-RKO Film Hollywood: Paul Gregory’s second production for RKO will be a picturization of the MacKinlay Kantor story, “On My Honor.” Motion picture title for the MacKinlay Kantor novel, “God and My Country,’ “On My Honor,” often referred to as an American “Mr. Chips,” is the story of a leader of a Boy Scout troop in a small mid-western town. Talks are now proceeding between Bing Crosby and RKO toward Crosby’s enacting the starring role in the film. Homemakers’ Show Hamilton: The Famous Players’ Tivoli Theatre, Hamilton, tied in with Station CKOC for the presentation of a Homemakers’ Holiday Show on the afternoon of June 25, the program being of special interest to the ladies. Chief prize was a weekend flight to New York. Accompanying the stage demonstration was “D-Day, the Sixth of June” on the screen. Logan Buys Novel Hollywood: Joshua Logan has acquired the screen rights to Thomas E. Gaddis’ sensational new novel, “Birdman of Alcatraz,” to be made by his Mansfield Productions for Warner Bros. presentation. It will be his first independent production under the contract recently signed with Warner Bros. “pIeCrEeT F.P.C.C. Buys Seven Nathanson Houses Vancouver: R. W. Bolstad, vicepresident of Famous Players Canadian Corp., and George Beeston, representing Paul Nathanson, have ciosed a deal whereby Famous has purchased the seven Vancouver theatres which they previously leased from Nathanson. Theatres involved include the de-luxe 2,871 seat Orpheum Theatre, key house in the F-P circuit in B.C., and six Vancouver suburban theatres, the Alma, Grandview, Kerrisdale, Regent, Victoria and Windsor. Of the latter group, only the Grandview and Kegent are in operation, the other four having been closed by Famous last year. The suburban group comprised the old Langer Circuit, and were acquired by the late N. L. Nathanson from Langer in the 20’s, and leased by Nathanson to Famous Players. According to Mr. Bolstad, no decision has been reached as yet in regard to the Vancouver suburbans. Of the four closed theatres, one or two may be re-opened, and the balance sold for other purposes. Hollywood: Leslie Nielsen has been assigned by MGM to star in “CapitalOffense” as the newspaper reporter who becomes involved with an Ozarks criminal and is kidnapped and held for ransom. With Morton Fine producing and David Friedkin directing, the picture is set for a midJuly start. Nielsen played a reporter in “Ransom!” was a space flier in “Forbidden Planet” and is the male star of the forthcoming “Opposite Sex.” Perkins Electric Equips Drive-Ins Toronto: A. A. Richardson, Toronto branch manager for Perkins Electric Company, has reported the recent installation of complete sound and projection equipment and a Perkins Steel Screen tower, in two Ontario drive-in theatres, the Bancroft Drive-In, owned and Operated by Gordon Broughton, and the Mel-Ron Drive-In at Kirkland Lake, owned and operated by Melvin and Ronald Hawn. Equipment installed in the new ozoners included Strong Arc Lamps, Perkins in-a-car Speakers, and Ballantyne Sound Equipment. Richardson also reported that Perkins installed new projection equipment recently in George Sarris’ Collingwood Drive-In. JULY 14, 1956 CENSORSHIP (Continued from Page 1) minds but although we do the best we can to please everyone we can’t always cater to minorities,” Fleming said. The Calgary Council by a 12-1 vote agreed to send a copy of its request to every town and city in Alberta for “concerted action.” Charges made at the council meeting by Ald. C. F. Mack that the movie “Teen Age Crime Wave” helped produce a minor crime wave in Calgary were termed “ridiculous,” by Fleming. “He is the only person in Alberta who has complained about that film,” he said. In the last two years, Fleming said, his board banned 13 films — more than any other censorship group in the country. Several other films viewed this year by the board will not be seen in Alberta unless theatre operators successfully appeal against their ban, he said. Ald. Mack had felt the board of censors could not be viewing each film or it would not have let “Teen Age Crime Wave”: be shown. “All films are screened here and that means they are viewed,” Fleming commented. In his original motion before Calgary’s council, Ald. Mack asked for more censorship of films “which teach teen-agers things about crime they don’t know.” He called for “more stringent attention by the provincial film board to prohibit the showing in Alberta of films which, under the guise of bearing a moral message, in actuality glorify the terror of teen-age gangs; or that some censorship power be invested in the city authorities for the purpose of banning such films.” After discussion, he agreed to drop his request for city controlled power and then council deleted the “guise” phrase. FOR SALE YES! 10,000 LATE MODEL USED or RE-CONDITIONED THEATRE CHAIRS ALSO NEW BRITISH-LUXURY CHAIRS d AVAILABLE CUSHIONS AND FULLY UPHOLSTERED BACKS—SPRING BACK TYPES ALSO. CARPETING, ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL TILES AND LINOLEUM We are Factory Agents At Bargain Prices Drop us a line — we will give you photographs and full information. “LA SALLE" RECREATIONS LTD. 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