Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1950)

8 Motion Picture Daily Thursday, February 16, 1950 14 Ohio Congressmen Support Cut in Tax Columbus, O., Feb. 15.— Fourteen of Ohio's 23 Congressmen have told the ITO of Ohio that they will support cuts in the Federal admission tax. Two who answered wires sent by the ITO secretary, were non-committal. Those in favor are: Cliff Clevenger, Thomas A. Jenkins, Robert T. Secrest, J. Harry McGregor, Stephen M. Young, Charles H. Elston, Earl T. Wagner, Edward Breen, Clarence J. Brown, Walter E. Brehm, John M. Vorys, John McSweeney, Wayne L. Hays and Robert Crosser. Mrs. Frances Bolton and William E. McCulloch refused to commit themselves. TOA Units, Members To FCC Hearings Washington, Feb. IS. — Individual members and units in the Theatre Owners of America, as well as the national TOA, will appear at the forthcoming Federal Communications Commission hearings on theatre television. TOA units and members filed petitions with the FCC seeking hearings, but it was not known until today whether they would also appear at the hearings or let national TOA represent them. The new policy became apparent with a notice from Samuel Pinanski, TOA president, that he wanted to appear for his American Theatres Corp. TOA officials then confirmed that other TOA theatre circuits and units would also appear. The FCC has also received word from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers and the Jefferson Amusement Co., Inc., of Beaumont, Tex., of intentions to appear at the hearings. Exhibitors Key (Continued from page 1) tional promotion, is more needed today than ever. He added improvement along these lines has been marked since S. Charles Einfeld, advertising-publicity vice-p resi dent, joined the company. Zanuck said picture subjects with a message would not be shunned, pointing out the success of "Pinky" and "Snake Pit," but the over-all program would continue to contain comedies, dramas and other types which have scored in past years. Thornton Sargent, NT public relations director, gave an illustrated talk on product forthcoming from all sources, declaring the industry is "bubbling with good product." Jack McGee, Fox Intermountain, spoke at length on managerial resourcefulness, courtesy in house operation, and other aspects of individual house management. Fay Reeder, San Francisco, will open Thursday sessions with a talk on the theatre's responsibility for civic goodwill. Mose Mesher, Portland, will speak on inordinate admissions and taxes. James Runte, Sacramento, will discuss real estate problems, and Ed Haas of Fox-Midwest, will talk on economical maintenance. Ray Davis, Fox-Intermountain, will also speak. 33 N. Y. Congressmen Line Up Against Federal Tax To date, all but 12 of the 45 Congressmen from the New York Metropolitan area have expressed to the Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres Association and the Independent Theatre Owners Association their "unqualified support" of the industry's fight to secure repeal of the Federal 20 per cent admission tax,-the ITOA reported yesterday. Expressions of support came yesterday from the following Congressmen of New York : W. Kingsland Macey, T. Vincent Quinn, Joseph L. Pfeiffer, James J. Heffernan, Charles A. Buckley, R. Walter Riehlman, Edwin A. Hall, Kenneth B. Keating, William L. Pfeiffer and Chester C. Gorski. It was reported also that the Central Labor and Trades Council, representing all AFL unions in New York, has passed a resolution condemning the 20 per cent amusement tax and urging its repeal. Eight out of 14 Congressmen from New Jersey already have pledged support in the tax fight, the Federation of New Jersey Theatre Owners reported yesterday. Federation consists of MMPTA, ITOA, New Jersey Allied and other theatre organizations. Johnston Asks Tax Repeal (Continued from page 1) with excises generally, making only one passing reference to the film taxes. He told the committee he was "of course" including in his plea repeal of these taxes. "These specific subjects will be handled later in greater detail by able representatives of our industry when they appear before the committee," he declared. "They will explain how the admission tax hits unfairly where it hurts the hardest — the pocketbook of the American family." Expands His Views But when Johnston finished his prepared statement, Rep. King (D., Calif.) asked him to "expand on these views," and with newsreel cameras grinding, Johnston made a strong pitch on the film taxes. Johnston's full statement on the admissions tax obviously did not please too well some Compo officials, who had understood Johnson would make no more than passing reference to the tax so that the industry appeal would retain its "grass roots" flavor in the testimony of Myers and Sullivan. "I hope there is something left for Sullivan and myself to say," observed Myers. "If so, we will say it." Johnston said the motion picture is a medium of expression and information, like the newspaper, magazine and book. There is no Federal excise on these three, he said, and there should be none on the film industry. Hits Raw Stock Tax He pointed out that the industry pays $3,500,000 a year in the 15 per cent raw stock tax, and said that "film raw stock is to the motion picture industry what newsprint is to the newspaper or paper is to the book or magazine publisher. Again we ask for equal treatment." The 25 per cent tax on photographic apparatus also unfairly discriminates against the film industry, Johnston said. He emphasized that the motion picture is the only form of family diversion within the reach of millions of American families, especially in the "modest income group." The industry, he said, is trying to supply this family entertainment at a cost of 15 cents to 20 cents an hour, but the excise tax hikes the cost by 20 per cent, and many families "have had to cut down substantially on the only means of recreation available to them." Re peal of the admission tax, from the point of view of family welfare should go high on the list for early action, the MPAA official declared. Rep. Carroll (D., Colo.) asked members of the excise group what assurance there was that any excise reduction would be passed on to the consumer. "As far as the motion picture industry is concerned," Johnston said, "any reduction in the tax will be passed on entirely. The motion picture theatre owners of America have already pledged that." Generally the committee members were favorable to the pleas for excise relief, though committee chairman Doughton (D., N. C.) harangued at some length on the need for raising revenue to offset any excise cuts and the "disservice" that would be done if the budget were further unbalanced. Theatres with Local Tax Welcome Drive Exhibitors in cities with local ticket taxes in addition to the 20 per cent Federal tax are especially welcoming the industry's drive for repeal of the U. S. levy, Loew's disclosed here yesterday, following reports from its theatre managers in the field. If the Federal tax is lifted public sentiment will go a long way towards influencing the city councils or other lawmakers to do something about the local tax, too — and, at least, prevent local governments from trying to grab the reduced Federal tax. Omaha Exhibitors, Distributors Organize for Tax Repeal Drive Omaha, Feb. 15.— A well-attended industry meeting here developed strong co-operation for the reduction in the 20 per cent Federal admission tax. Among leaders of the session were : Iz Weiner, U-I branch manager, distributor representative; D. D. Weinberg and Robert Dolgoff, labor attorneys; Walter Creale, exhibitor representative; Robert Livingston, of Lincoln, exhibitor chairman. Branch managers and salesmen also attended. Albany, N. Y., Feb. 15.— Forty exhibitors, at a luncheon meeting arranged by Theatre Owners of America here, were told by Saul J. Ullman, ud state general manager for Fabian Theatres, that chances for the reneal of the admission tax are good "if all of us keep fighting and keep rolling petitions in on Congress." Reagan Offers Aid To Industry Fight On Talent Rackets Hollywood, Feb. 15. — The campaign against the talent school racket being conducted by the Motion Picture Industry Council and the SBjlpi Actors Guild includes an off^Jfi complete information and advice to exhibitors everywhere whose localities may become infested with this type of bunco game, Ronald Reagan, MPIC chairman and SAG president, disclosed today, following a meeting of 75 representatives of Federal, state, county and city agencies last night at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The offer stems from reports that fake talent schools operating here have been duplicated in certain other cities in recent weeks. Exhibitors seeking information for proceeding against this type of rackets are invited to communicate with the SAG or MPIC. Among the developments last night was a pledge by state authorities to check contract laws and other applicable regulations to see whether punishable violations are being committed. The city attorney today opened hearings on several local cases recently unearthed by local newspapers. Para. Signs Holt To Produce Two Hollywood, Feb. 15. — Paramount today announced signing Nat Holt to produce two big-scale outdoor pictures during the coming year. Holt, who made three films for RKO after switching from distribution to production, and three others independently after forming his own 'company, is considering several top properties for the first film. $500,000 Merchandise 'Plug9 for 'Caesar' "Champagne for Caesar," Harry M. Popkin production for United Artists release, will benefit from a $500,000 national promotion campaign to be launched by Westinghouse Electric in synchronization with national release of the film, it was announced here yesterday by Howard LeSieur, UA's director of advertising-publicity. Westinghouse's spring campaign on behalf of its new television line will be keyed to "Champagne." 'I A9 Dinner to Mark Walsh's Birthday The biennial dinner of IATSE District No. 10, comprised of all locals in New York State, will be held Monday at the Hotel St. George, Brooklyn, it is announced by Thomas Murtha, chairman of the arrangements committee. The occasion will also mark the 50th birthday of International president Richard F. Walsh. Premiere of 'Mother' In Seattle Feb. 21 Seattle, Feb. 15.— World premiere of 20th Century-Fox's "Mother Didn't Tell Me" will take place at the Fifth Avenue. Theatre here Feb. 21. Guest of honor will be Mary Bard Jensen, author of "The Doctor Wears Three' Faces," story on which the picture is based.