Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1935)

Tuesday, Ju!y 30, 1935 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Italy Talking Rental Tax to Aid Its Films (Continued from page 1) tax would be established amounting to 10 per cent of rental receipts on imported films, this tax, however, not to be less than 15,000 lire (about $1,200) per film; (4) an additional provision reported to be under consideration, would allow Italian producers to import for each Italian produced three foreign films free from the rental tax. It is understood that the proposal to tax film rentals would have the double objective of reducing the amount of money sent out of Italy and of providing funds for promoting growth of a national film industry. Estimates of what the rental tax would produce vary considerably, the report states. An official states that rentals on imported films amount to approximately 80,000,000 lire (about $6,400,000) a year, while an unofficial estimate places the total at 120,000,000 lire (about $9,600,000) a year. It is impossible to state accurately to what extent the proposed tax would exceed the present "dubbing" tax, the report states, but several informed persons estimate that the distributors in general would have to pay at least twice what they have to pay under the present tax. Swiss Seek Home Industry Washington, July 29. — Efforts are being made in Switzerland to establish a domestic film industry, according to a report from the American Consulate-General in Zurich to the U. S. Department of Commerce. The chief factor in this movement has been the Swiss Tourist Office, which recently promoted a gathering of 60 interested groups to discuss the matter. At this meeting several points were brought out, chief among which was that roughly six or seven million Swiss francs are paid annually to foreign producers because Swiss production is negligible. Approximately 400 foreign features are imported. The need of creating a film credit bank, financed by the government, similar to that in Germany, was emphasized. The first practical result of this gathering was the formation of an organization a few days later to promote cooperation. Record Warner Deed Salem, Mass., July 29. — A mortgage for $400,000 from the Mass. Amusement Corp. for two years at four and one-half per cent to Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., was recorded here today. Among the properties covered by the mortgage are the Ara, Waldorf, Comique and Warner theatres in Lynn and several houses in Lawrence. Rob New Haven House New Haven, July 29. — Thieves, using acetylene torches, cut through the safe of the Howard Theatre here last night and made off with over $1,000 in receipts. The manager's office, in which the safe was located, was also badly damaged. St. Louis Shies Off Most Theatre Prizes (Continued from page 1) like, bank nights, screeno and similar arrangements have not caught on the St. Louis metropolitan area as in other parts of the country. A checkup of the situation indicates but one small outlying local house operating a bank night and two other suburban theatres using a similar arrangement to catch extra cash customers. Reports, however, are that a number of theatres in the smaller towns of eastern Missouri and southern Illinois either have started or are considering such plans for stimulating business. Locally it is known that the more prominent exhibitors do not look with favor on bank nights, etc., feeling that if they should adopt these systems their competitors would quickly follow and in a few days any momentary advantage would be lost and the entire industry would plunge into the cut-throat competition tactics that prevail in Denver, Chicago and Kansas City. Various giveaways are being used. A check of the 83 theatres in the metropolitan district, not including those in East St. Louis or other Illinois communities, revealed that no less than 33 houses are giving away premiums of some kind, ranging from hot ovenware, cups and saucers to dinner sets and silverware. A favorite system is for a house to start by giving one piece of china or glassware from a set. This requires the recipient to attend the theatre once a week for a number of weeks in order to complete the set. It has been estimated that these giveaways approximate $1,750 each week. Kalmus Deals Before Directors Tomorrow (Continued from page 1) would finance the newly formed Technicolor, Ltd., Kalmus said that the deal would not be set until the board ratified it. Korda's first color film will probably be "Elizabeth, the Queen" with Natalie Kalmus as color director, according to the story emanating from London on the day the Technicolor head sailed for New York. "The various deals depends on the votes cast Wednesday by the Technicolor board," Kalmus asserted. He added he would issue a statement following the meeting. On the same liner was Louis F. Blumenthal, who operates the French Casino here with Jack Shapiro. He was optimistic over the new show which will replace the Folies Bergere on Sept. 5. He said he had signed Enrico Bartaloso, an Italian tenor, for 10 years. He added he also had lined up Venita Kramer, who has appeared at the Palladium, London, for the past seven months, in addition to a number of new novelties and acts. The new company will sail from Havre on the lie de France on July 21. Blumenthal said he spent most of his time in Paris and visited the exposition in Brussels. . Cut 6 Months* Loss Heywood-Wakefield Co. reports a loss of $53,129 for the six months to June 30 as compared with a loss of $59,099 for the same period in 1934. First Division to Take 18 from B.I.P. (Continued from page 1) Division had solved its problems and that the deal would start a new policy for the company. "All of these films cost $300,000 or more," he said, "and were intended for first run release in Alliance theatres abroad. They are the forerunner of similar deals which we hope to close for American product to round out our program. We all realized that the days of the independent distributor were numbered on the old basis," he went on. "We have canceled some of our existing production contracts and intend to gear our organization accordingly." John A. Curtis, one of those who brought March of Time and First Division together some months back, said the company was now on its feet with plenty of capital behind it and predicted it would "go places." Louis Nizer, Dent and Anna May Wong also spoke. Miss Wong's quiet humor drew a laugh when she said British International made her first picture and also her first talking film. "I have always been impressed by the modesty of the company," she said, "and now I hope you Americans will overcome that." 'Lady Tubbs' Big at Roxy "Lady Tubbs" at the Roxy last week garnered $25,900. This week "The Arizonian" will approximate around $28,000. The Palace with "Men Without Names" last week was off with a gross of less than $7,000. 9 Kansas Perks Up Following Dust, Drought (Continued from page 1) values would be $25,000,000 under last year's because of poor crops. ■ It is even likely, according to Clarence Smith, secretary of the commission, that after that body clears up controversial and unsettled assessments, valuations may reach last year's total or be even greater. The value of intangibles increased by more than $2,000,000. They were $161,986,236 in 1935, and only $159,641,273 in the 1934 tax year. In other words, Kansans have $2,000,000 more in money, securities and similar wealth than in the preceding year. One thing that has helped during the past year is the increased activity in oil leases in Western Kansas, according to Smith. KMTA's Arbitrators Decide to Go Ahead Kansas City, July 29. — Frank Cassil, chairman of the K.M.T.A. grievance board, will convene its members this week to consider the complaint of R. H. Montgomery, Independence, Kan. A. J. Simmons, member, is in California and returns next week, but the board will go ahead anyway, either with only two members — Cassil and Tom Edwards — or an alternate may be appointed. The board will make its decision during the week, Cassil announced. USHER IN PROJECTION DURING YOUR SUMMER RENOVATING DISCARD youT obsolete, low intensity projection lamps. Patrons dislike groping blindly to theiT seats. They desrre enough supplementary lighting for comfortable vision from the moment of entrance. High Intensity Projection Permits a comfortable level of general illumination. Improves the quality of black and white projection. Adds to the beauty and realism of color productions. • There is a High Intensity Lamp, A.C. or D.C., for every theatre, large or small. There is a National Projector Carbon for every Projection Lamp. Install High Intensity Lamps this summer they insure sustained patronage. NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY, INC. Carbon Sales Division, Cleveland, Ohio Unit of Union Carbide I'm and Carbon Corporation Branch Sales Offices: New fork * Pittsburgh * Chicago * San Francisco