Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1935)

Thursday, April 4, 1935 MOTION PICTURE DAILY New Tax Plan Is Presented In California (Continued from page 1) but films would be hit with a one per cent levy on manufactured articles, with one-fourth of one per cent on the wholesale product. Other changes include a one per cent severance on natural resources, two and a half per cent on gas and electricity, and two per cent on transportation. Assemblyman Chatters, author of the income tax, announced his intention to subpoena the records of the State Franchise Tax Commissioner to learn what taxes films are paying to "disabuse the minds of the people of the idea that the industry is being discriminated against through a reasonable income tax measure." Assemblyman Patterson's six-hour, five-day week bill has been passed in the House without debate, but it is believed there is a good chance for reconsideration. Floridians Ask 10% Levy Tallahassee, Fla., April 3. — Florida showmen now have a fight on their hands for the Florida Educational Ass'n has decided to drop its plan for a general sales tax, and is going to ask the Legislature, which opened its 60-day session this week, to put a straight 10 per cent tax on all amusements and allow the proceeds to go to the school fund. According to the association, it could use $20,000,000, nicely, but is willing to try and worry along with half that amount. It estimates the 10 per cent amusement tax should bring in at least $3,000,000 a year, and stresses the point that this tax would be paid by winter visitors as well as the residents. In addition to this amusement tax money, it will ask for another cent from the gasoline tax. This, it figures, will make up the loss of revenue through the passage of the homestead exemption which went into effect this year. Pa. Tax Fight Stirs Hope Harrisburg, Pa., April 3. — Following a protest of some 300 exhibitors from all parts of tne state yesterday against the proposed 10 per cent ticket tax before the Senate Finance Committee, there is a feeling here that the measure may meet defeat. The Senate is controlled by anti-administration Republicans. The measure has already been passed by the House. Support Advertising Bill Boston, April 3.— Allied Theatre of Massachusetts, M.P.T.O.A. unit, is actively supporting a bill pending before the Joint Ways and Means Committee of the Legislature providing for a $15,000 appropriation for advertising the state. The theory is that it will increase the number of summer visitors. Hold Missouri Hearing Jefferson City, Mo., April 3. — The Senate Ways and Means Committee held a hearing today on the Administration's two per cent sales tax bill which passed the House last week. — Looking 'Em Over "Case of the Curious Bride'' (Warners) Warren William and Allen Jenkins combine to present a very entertaining and amusing mystery film that will keep audiences guessing until the last reel as to the identity of the culprit. Mystery fans, in particular, will go for this latest screen adaptation of one of Earle S. Gardner's novels, for there is enough comedy, particularly when Jenkins is on, to satisfy. Director Michael Curtiz never lets the action lag. He handles Tom Reed's screen play in such a manner that audience interest is maintained until the end. Tom Abel's photography is good. William, as Perry Mason, ace criminal lawyer and detective, decides to help Margaret Lindsay discover the reason for the return of the husband she had believed dead. In the meantime she had remarried. The returned "dead man" is murdered and Miss Lindsay accused of his death. William and Jenkins, aided by the usual battery of newspaper men and hindered by the police at every turn, proceed to unravel the mystery. Laughs are handed out right and left during the process and it isn't until the final few feet that the killer is revealed in a surprise finish and Miss Lindsay vindicated. William is excellent as the suave, debonair Perry Mason, and Jenkins reaches comedy heights as his assistant. Miss Lindsay has little to do. Claire Dodd, who turns in a first rate performance ; Wini Shaw, Warren Hymer, Phil Reed and Henry Kolker round out the cast. This film should do well. Production Code Seal No. 685. Running time, 68 minutes. "G." Unwelcome Stranger (Columbia) San Diego, Cal., April 3. — Combining plenty of action, excitement, drama and humor, this is an entertaining film about two orphans, a freckle-faced kid and a horse, and how they win the big handicap. The story deals with Jack Holt, a race horse breeder, whose pet superstition is orphans. His wife, capably played by Mona Barrie, without his knowledge brings into their home Jackie Searl, a lame orphan. Searl overhears Holt's betting commissioner (Bradley Page) conspire with a crooked jockey (Frankie Darro) to throw the handicap. At the last minute Searl rides Noma, also an orphan, to victory in the big race. There is plenty of suspense as Searl is unseated near the finish by his rival jockey to keep the audience on the edges of its seats. Noma, however, wins when the commissioners disqualify the guilty j ockey. Director Phil Rosen has turned out a race track picture with a new angle that should appeal to all ages. Names and the novel treatment of the picture should be stressed by exhibitors. Production Code Seal No. 643. Running time, 65 minutes. "G." "Life Begins at 40'," this morning's opener at Radio City Music Hall, was reviewed by toire from Hollywood on Feb. 2. "It Happened in New York," opening tomorrow morning at the Roxy, was reviewed by wire from Hollywood on Feb. 23. "West Point of the Air," which opens tomorrow morning at the Capitol, was reviczved by wire from Hollywood on Feb. 23. in spite of the fact that exhibitors and business men generally are threatening to insist upon a state referendum. Pass Maine Betting Bill Augusta, Me., April 3. — The House has passed the bill to legalize pari-mutuel betting on horse races by 93-45. It is expected to pass the Senate. Kill Iowa Safety Bill Des Moines, April 3. — The Iowa Senate has kill a bill to provide safety regulations for projection booths. It was opposed by theatres on the ground that it would increase the number or operators. Defeat Delaware Dog Races Dover, Del., April 3. — Combined efforts of Loew's, Warners and in dependent theatre owners are credited with having defeated in the House the bill to legalize dog racing. The measure, which permitted pari-mutuel betting, was defeated, 9-22. Pass Tenn. Sunday Bill Nashville, April 3. — The Senate today passed the local option Sunday opening bill. 17-10. The House is regarded as more liberal than the Senate and its passage by that branch is expected. The measure is sponsored by the Memphis delegation. Barker Joins Columbia Omaha, April 3. — William Barker, former Paramount booker, has joined the Columbia sales force here. He replaces Larry Hensler, transferred to the Des Moines territory three weeks Goldwyn Talks On Television, Color Outlook (Continued from pane 1) can add $300,000 to the cost of a feature. Television is something for the more distant future, he indicated, but his opinion was that some day it may be possible for a studio to spend a year in producing a picture and have it shown simultaneously in all the theatres of the country by television. Goldwyn's remarks on stereoscopy were somewhat of a repetition of his recent interviews in the United States. He has been working on it for three years, he said, and now has the process to the point where a special attachment on a projector will enable a spectator to get a stereoscopic effect without the use of "analysers." It will not greatly increase production costs, he said. Goldwyn denied he had come to England to discuss theatre purchases, but said he had conferred on production with Alexander Korda. Merle Oberon's next, which will start in May, with either Fredric March or Herbert Marshall in the male lead, also was the subject of a conference, it was stated. May Produce in England Samuel Goldwyn may produce abroad, he indicated yesterday morning as he debarked from the Olympic after a four-day visit in England on personal business. The U. A. producer said that his production plans in England depend on the California tax situation. Goldwyn stated he did not sign anyone while in London and will leave for the coast in a few days. Asked about theatre conditions, he declared that business is better in England than ever before. International Study Of Television Begun (Continued from page 1) Institute, it has been announced by the League of Nations. Reports of the League disclose that plans have been made for a series of shorts on the aims and work of the organization, proposals for which have been received from the Atlantic Film Co. The pictures would be given world distribution. Recent meetings of the institute have been devoted to a number of film problems, including the negotiations for the adoption of uniform dimensions for small-sized film, which thus far have been inconclusive. Comerford Still Gains Washington, April 3. — M. E. Comerford who has been in the Emergency Hospital for several weeks, continues to show improvement, according to Dr. Walter A. Bloedorn. It will, however, be several weeks, the doctor states, before Comerford will be discharged from the hospital. Reliance Switches Title Hollywood, April 3. — Reliance's "Legion of Valor" is back to its original title. "Let 'Em Have It."