Film year book : 1922-23 (1923)

Tama Publishing Co Triangle Music Publishing Co Van Alstyne & Curtis Victoria Publishing Company Von Tilzer, Harry, Music Publishing Co. Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co Witmark, M. & Sons .1430 Broadway New York City .1658 Broadway New York City .1658 Broadway New York City . 1658 Broadway New York City ,1571 Broadway New York City .1560 Broadway \ New York City Exhibitors who do not desire to pay music tax should remember the following : 1st. Absolute instructions should be given to those in charge of the theater music as to just whose music should be made use of and that if there is any doubt the music should not be used until the facts are known. 2nd. Cue sheets and scores offered for sale or distributed should not be used by those who do not wish to pay the tax unless the statement is made and guaranteed that the music recommended is not subject to tax. Where scores are sold or rented a guarantee should go with each copy that all liability is assumed by the publisher should trouble arise. 3rd. Every theater _man not wishing to pay the tax should see that his library of music contains only selections which are issued by those companies whose music is tax free and are nou-members of the society. 4th. When those in charge of the music supply the music for the theater the theater owner should instruct and demand that non-taxable music only should be played, and when cues are supplied see to it that the musicians substitute non-taxable music wherever taxable music is specified. The theater owner is liable if this is not done. Trouble and lawsuits may result from the use of music inadvertently used which is taxable, threefore too much care cannot be used. Spotters may be in the audience or other methods used for locating houses using taxable music. Some houses believe that the tax is so small that it is better to pay it than Pght and go to the trouble of inspecting all music This is an open question to be settled by each theater owner individually or by the united action of the theater owners' organization. If the tax is to be fought it must be done by united action of theater interests. A warning should be given to every maker of cue-sheets and every maker of scores that he owes it to the theater to label every cue — stating whether or not it contains taxable music and if so each of the selections should be so labeled. 10 Year Comparison of Operating Costs Frank J. Rembusch, who operates a chain of theaters in Indiana, prepared an interesting chart in March, showing how the operative costs of a theater have caried since 1912. Rembusch took as his model a theater representing an investment of $75,000 in a town of 10,000 population. He compared a week's business during February, 1912, and February, 1922, and used the same house, operating under fixed conditions, such as seating capacity, population and management, and on that basis ascertained the appended information: Showings 1912 1922 6 days (no Sundays) 7 days Box Office Receipts — Gross $364 $506 Film Service Expense Gen. Film Co., per week, 1912 $50 Several Companies, 1922 $225 General Expense 1912 1922 Water $ .25 $ 1 Light and Heat 10.00 35 Rent 30.00 30 License 3 Express and Inc 4.00 8 Total $44.25 $77 Competition 1912 1922 1 Pic. Theater 1 Pic Theater 1 Op. House Basketball Attendance 1912 _ 1922 Weekly paid admissions at 5 cents at 20 cents 7,280 Labor Expense 1912 Musician $12 Cashier 6 Accounting Operator (Projectionist) 12 Manager 18 Ticket Taker Usher Janitor 12 Singer (illustrated songs) 25 Totals $85 2,530 1922 $35 12 8 25 30 4 4 18 $136 Advertising 1912 1922 $12 ■ $52 Weekly Profits — Gross 1912 1922 $170 $12 (One dollar in 1912 perhaps equal to two of 1922. Depreciation, insurance and taxes not included. Summary of Percentages Increases Per ct. Box Office increase 45 Film Cost increase 350 Labor increase 60 General Expense increase 80 Advertising increase 300 Length of Program increase 200 1922 — Open one day more. Decreases Number Paid Admissions Profits decreased 1912 — Owner works one hour daily. 1922 — Owner works unceasingly. In discussing the chart, Rembusch says : "The report tells a story more eloquently than words, because figures don't prevaricate. This, I find, reflects the general conditions everywhere, only some are worse. "Sometimes I have made myself unpopular with exhibitors by telling the truth, because they would rather hear a 'dream tale.' Far be it from me to give advice, but one thing is certain — No one can take more water out of a pail than it contains. 'T have been in the business for 17 years, and the times are the toughest in my experience.'' Per ct. , ...200 . . .1300 245