The Film Daily (1943)

wmm 10 1W DAILY Thursday, October 28, Exhibs. Mobilizing To Oppose 30% Tax (Continued from Page 1) erators, were receiving instructions from their association headquarters to contact their Congressional representatives and impress upon them the seriousness of the recommendation for a 30 per cent tax made by the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday. It was pointed out in some sectors that the hope for the elimination of any new tax would be a futile one, but that it was essential that the exhibitors of the country unite in protesting against an increase on such a large scale. It was feared that the tax bill would be submitted under a "cloture" rule which would prevent the introduction of any amendments and further would restrict debate. While the tax measure as a whole is regarded as being in a tentative form, industry leaders yesterday emphasized the necessity for speed and action to bring about a downward revision in the admissions provision. Should the 30 per cent tax get the House's okay, the chances of altering it in the Senate are described as slim. Thus, it was said the next 48 to 72 hours may tell the story from the industry's viewpoint. Reconsideration of Excise Tax Proposals Expected Washington Bureau of THE FILM 'DAILY Washington — With a strong possibility that there will be an immediate reconsideration of Tuesday's voting of excise taxes, members of the House Ways and Means Committee voted late yesterday to raise the excess profits tax on corporations from 90 to 95 per cent. They rejected the Treasury's proposal that the normal tax be laised from 40 to 50 per cent. Several Congressmen, including: members of the committee, are known to believe that the committee "acted too hastily" Tuesday when it voted the jump in excise taxes, but none would declare himself specifically on the amusement tax, which was jumped from one to three cents on every dime of admission, but there were several who thought the entire question of excise taxes should be reviewed at once. Specific complaints were on the liquor and postage rates voted Tuesday. There is also a danger in this situation, since it is possible that in order to cut down on -ome of the rates voted Tuesday, the Christmas Cheer for Columbia Servicemen More than 600 Columbia employes, from both the home office and the exchanges, now serving in the armed forces, will receive Christmas gift packages and money orders from the company. Gifts for those serving overseas have already been dispatched. In addition, the Columbian Club, employes social organization, will give each of the servicemen a years' subscription to both Esquire and the Readers Digest. HOLLYWOOD DIGEST ASSIGNMENTS TALBOT JENNINCS, screenplay, "Victoria Crandoler," Paramount. CASTINGS CHARLIE RUGCLES, "Incendiary Blonde," Paramount; JESSIE & JAMES, "Show Business," RKO; EDCAR BUCHANAN, "Nine Cirls," Columbia; HELMUT DANTINE, "Night Action," Warners; SICNE HASSO, "The Seventh Cross," M-C-M; EMMA DUNN, "The Bridge of San Luis Rey," Benedict Bogeaus-UA; MADY CHRISTIANS and PAUL LUKAS "Address Unknown," Sam Wood-Columbia; FAY HELM "Moonlight in Vermont," Universal. STORY PURCHASES DCDIE SMITH'S "Autumn Crocus," Warners. PIERRE CENDRON'S "Rhapsody in Youth " PRC. MOSS HART and GEORGE KAUFMAN'S "The fabulous Invalid," RKO. CAPT. NORMAN KRASNA'S "Night Action," Warners. TITLE SWITCHES 'One More Tomorrow," formerly, "The Animal Kingdom," Warners. 'Take It Big," formerly "Rhythm Ranch," Paramount. • SCHEDULED 'Cinderella Jones," producer, ALEX GOTTLIEB; director, BUSBY BERKELEY, from "Judy Adjudicates," by PHILIP WYLIE. •My Reputation," from CLAIRE JAYNES' "Instruct My Sorrows,"; producer, HENRY BLANKE, Warners. 'The Road to Utopia," producer, PAUL JONES; director, CHARLES WALKER, Paramount. 'Diamond Horseshoe " producer, WILLIAM PERLBERC, 20fh-Fox. 'Week-End Pass," story-producer, WARREN WILSON; director, JEAN YARBROUCH, Universal. 'Candle Manor," story, ELIZABETH MEEHAN; producer-director, GEORGE SHERMAN, Republic. 'The Kincaids," from the GEORGE S. KAUFMANEDNA FERBER play "The Land is Bright," Sam Wood for Columbia. Sauter Takes the Helm For War Fund Campaign (Continued from Page 1) tainment industry section in the National War Fund's current fundraising appeal, it was announced yesterday by James A. Farley, chairman of the New York War Fund's commerce and industry division. Adolph Zukor, assisted by Barney Balaban and N. Peter Rathvon, is national director in charge of motion pictures, producers and distributors, and chairman of motion pictures for the metropolitan area is Samuel Rinzler of Randforce Amusement Corp. Radio broadcasting is under Ralph Colin, of Goldmark, Colin &, Kaye, counsel to CBS. The New York Committee of NWF aims to raise $17,000,000 by Dec. 7 for the USO, United Seamen's Service, War Prisoners' Aid and 23 other major war-related relief agencies, of which sum the committee's commerce and industry division has agreed to raise $12,000,000 toward the eity-wide goal. Hub Majestic Drops Vaude Boston — Majestic theater, acquired some months ago by the E. M. Loew circuit, which went into a vaudeville policy less than five weeks ago, has suddenly reversed once again to go straight pic. committee might retain or even increase the "luxury" tax dates voted. It is not likely that admissions would be included in the luxury group but pegging of a three-cents per dime rate does not indicate that the committee members consider theatergoing as a necessity of life. At any rate, whether immediately or not, the committee will have another chance to vote on the admissions tax. Tuesday's vote was tentative, with another vote coming before the full bill is approved for submission to the House. Immerman Moves Offices Chicago — With the personnel problems of the B & K circuit becoming more pressing, Elmer Immerman, director of personnel, has moved his offices to larger quarters on the third floor of the Loop End building. Theaters Escape Storm Damage, But "Takes" Hit (Continued from Page 1) brunt of the storm. In New York the storm was felt most in Brooklyn. All the important circuits operating houses in the area visited by the storm announced that "takes" had taken a terrific battering. Among the circuits reporting were RKO, Loew's, Skouras, Brandt, Warner, Century, Cocalis, Interboro, Island, Prudential, Randforce, Walter Reade. Only the bravest souls defied the elements to attend the film houses that day. The result was that film theaters experienced one of their worst days in many moons. The physical damage to theater property was reported as negligible, amounting to scarcely more than that suffered ordinarily in a storm. What damage was sustained by the theaters was confined almost wholly to the seashore communities, where the storm was especially violent. Except for a torn sign or a roof leak here and there, there was no damage to speak about, according to circuit spokesmen. The only report of a program interrupted by power failure came from the Walter Reade offices. Two of the circuit's five houses in Asbury Park were blacked out for half an hour at the height of the storm. West Acquires Mangham's Mono. Interest in South George W. West, Monogram franchise holder in Cincinnati and St. Louis, has acquired John W. Mangham's 42 per cent interest in Monogram's southern exchanges in Atlanta, Memphis, Charlotte and New Orleans. Arthur C. Bromberg continues as head of the organization and West will maintain his personal headquarters in Chicago. J. D. Brunsburg Dead Issaquah, Wash. — J. D. Brunsburg, 59, owner-operator of the Issaquah, died at his home following a long illness. Eight Pix Starling, Making 57 Shoolin West Coast Bureau of THE FILM D. j Hollywood — Eight new pictt are scheduled to go into produij this week, making a total of 57 \ tures shooting. The check-up: At Columbia: Five shooting. Walt Disney Productions: fei' length musical comedy, "The T Caballeros," featuring several j standing stage, radio and scl performers of Latin-America, j eluding Aurora Miranda, siste J Carmen. Donald Duck and i Carioca, the debonaire Braz parrot, and "Panchito," a Mes charro rooster. At M-G-M: Six shooting At Monogram: Two shooting, inclJ "The Voodoo Man," thriller, with Bel: , gosi, John Carradine, George Zucco, M; j Ames and Wanda McKay. Sam Katzmail Jack Dietz producing, and William Bea J directing: and, "Arizona Whirlwind," ern, featuring Hoot Gibson, Ken Ma.J and Bob Steele, with Myrna Dell, Ian I ) Don Stewart, Charles King, Carl Ha George Chesebro and Dan White. With ] ert Tansey producing and directing. At Paramount: Eight shooting. At PRC: Two shooting, including ' smoke Mesa," western, with Dave O'lJ ;Jim Newill, Guy Wilkerson and Patti M j ;thy. Producer, Alexander-Stern, with ] j Fraser directing. At Republic: Four shooting. At RKO-Radio: Six shooting, incl < "International Zone," love and mystery j drama, with an all-star cast headeM George Sanders, Virginia Bruce and Le Aubert. Maurice Geraghty producing] Leonid Moguy directing; and, Eddie Cai! "Show Business," (with flashbacks int I spectacular theatrical life of Cantor), 1 ported by a stellar east headed by G 1 Murphy, Constance Moore, Joan Davis! Nancy Kelly. Directed by Edwin L. 11 1 and, "Are These Our Children," which § with the currently widely discussed pr< I of juvenile delinquency caused by wai 1 conditions. Mark Kobson directing with I Smith in an important role; and, "Gj sleeve, Detective," another in the seri 1 pictures starring Harold Peary. Being* duced by Herman Schlom and directej Gordon Douglas. At 20th Century-Fox: Six shooting. W Four shooting for United Artists re At Universal: Nine shooting. At Warner Bros.: Four shooting. "A\ Kingdom" has been changed to "One Tomorrow." Harry Barlow Buys Point Powhatan Point, O. — Harry '. low is the new owner of the P having recently purchased it i Mrs. George Barlow. Screen Build-up for Mexican Industry West Coast Bur., THE FILM DAW Hollywood — Ralph Staub, pr< ducer of Screen Snapshots at Colurr bia, has just returned from Mexic where he shot footage on a speci subject he will make about tr Mexican film industry, covering i recent expansion of studios, star directors, and others. Both Engli and Spanish prints will be made • the subject. The Motion Pictui Society for the Americas and tl Co-ordinator of Inter-American A fairs co-operated with Staub. DAN JL S H 1.+7 17 M HZ ~l A L S I Z IS I CI CIO U cl cl kN