Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1954)

6 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, July 6, 1954 CORNER Q A. WHERE'S THE MAGIC IN DYNALITE? Right in the seams of this new, all-purpose silver screen that adds brilliant illumination for 2-D, 3-D and wide-screen films. Best thing about these seams is that your patrons will scarcely ever be able to discern them. The reason: they're electronically welded by a special process to eliminate those annoying reflections and distortions. Made of tear-proof vinyl plastic, your RCA Dyna-Lite Screen can be stretched drumtight for a smooth, uniform surface end to end. WHO has the amazingly low cost figures on the netv all-purpose RCA Dyna-Lite Screen ? A, -• Your local independent RCA Theatre Supply Dealer can show you how the electronically welded Dyna-Lite Screen brings better pictures within financial reach of every house . . . the smallest or the largest. RADIO CORPORATION of AMERICA THEATRE IQUIPMENT CAMDCN, N. J. 90% of Neighborhoods Majority of Theatres Here Passing Tax to the Public The majority of motion picture theatres here, both circuit owned and independent, are passing the New York City five per cent admissions tax on to the public, according to a weekend checkup of the situation. A spokesman for the Randforce Amusement Corp., said indications are that "90 per cent of neighborhood houses" are passing on the tax, but with no actual increase in admissions. In other words, the houses have not increased old admissions, but have informed the public that, according to law, the increases are for payment of the city imposed levy. The Randforce price scale affords a typical example of the increases brought on by the tax. Including pretax admissions and current prices, the scale is as follows : Advi. (pre-tax) Current 20 (cents) 21 25 30 35 40 45 50 26 32 37 42 47 S3 After 50 cents, the Federal 10 per cent tax becomes effective. Examples, including increases combining the Federal and city taxes are as follows : A hike from 60 to 63 cents, eight cents of which goes toward payment of both taxes ; 65-68 cents, 70-73 cents. For first run houses, Randforce Circuit prices jumped from 75 to 78 cents. One of the major circuits in the city, Loew's Theatres, Inc., announced at the weekend that all Loew's neighborhood houses are passing the tax on to the public. However, Loew's officials said two of the circuit's first run Broadway houses, the Capitol and the Loew's State, are absorbing the tax at present. Brandt Theatres, Inc., spokesmen said at the weekend that most of the Wants ^Oklahoma' to Be Shot in Oklahoma WASHINGTON, July 5.— Rep. Wickersham (D., Okla. ) suggested that producer Arthur Hornblow scrap present arrangements to shoot most of the film "Oklahoma" in California and Arizona and instead go to Oklahoma to make the film. Wickersham rose in the House of Representatives to express "natural resentment" at newspaper stories that "Oklahoma isn't good enough for the filming of 'Oklahoma'." He said he had written to Hornblow, suggesting that "should there still be time, reconsider the step you have taken," and "carry on the fine tradition of our motion picture industry to shoot the story where it happened." 'Crusaders^ Set to Open on the Coast HOLLYWOOD, July 5. — The world preimere of the Warner's CinemaScope WarnerColor production "King Richard and The Crusaders" has been set for July 8 at the Egyptian Theatre here, it was announced by Warners. Stars and press will be accorded the "red carpet" treatment, including trumpeteers and page boys dressed in keeping with the picture. circuit's neighborhood houses have followed suit, adding on the cost of the tax to old admissions. However, two first run Brandt houses, the Globe and the Mayfair, will absorb the tax rather than pass it on to the public. Two of the city's showcases, the Roxy and the Radio City Music Hall, have also begun to pass the tax on to the public. The Roxy's new prices, as of July 1, include: Weekdays from noon to 4:00 P.M., $1.20, as compared to the pre-tax price of $1.15; Saturday, from noon to 3:00 P.M., $1.50, as compared to a previous price of $1.40; for Sunday, from opening to 1:00 P.M., a 10 cent increase of from $1.40 to $1.50. The Radio City Music Hall prices, for weekdays are : From opening to noon, 95 cents ; from noon to closing, $1.90. On Saturdays, from opening until noon, $1.05, an increase of five cents; and $1.45 on Sundays, as compared to $1.40 previously. RKO theatres in the city are adding the tax to standard admissions in al! houses, a company executive said. The only exception is at the circuit's Broadway first run house, the Palace, where the 50 cent childrens' admission is standing pat. Skouras 'Passing On' Tax The Skouras circuit is "passing on the tax in all cases," according to a circuit official. He said Skouras houses have not increased old admissions, but are adding on the tax as required by law. In another tax development, Supreme Court Judge Samuel Di Fa'cf at the weekend dismissed as "academic" two suits brought by a group of theatre owners including the Warner Theatre and the Radio City Music Hall, against the city. The two motion picture houses, only ones in the city with advance ticket sales, sought to enjoin the city from collecting the five per cent tax on tickets sold in advance of Thursday for performances on and after that date. Citing the action taken by the Wagner administration Thursday to amend the tax law, Di Falco declared that it made unnecessary any further consideration of the litigation placed before him. MITCHELL MAY, Jr. CO., INC. INSURANCE • Specializing in requirements of the Motion Picture Industry 75 Maiden Lane, New York 3720 W. 6th St., Los Angeles In the THEATRE Eqoipmeiit A Reireshtnent World . . . • • with RAY GALLO THE Synthetic Vision Corporation of Dayton, Ohio, has developed equipment designed to provide pushbutton adjustment of both screen masking and curtains to projection in various aspect ratios. The curtain and masking materials are combined and are operated by motor on a track with control, which includes preset positions for regularly used picture dimensions, from the projection room. The set-up is called an "automatic formatting system." For installation of the system complete equipment is supplied, including the curtain and masking fabric, plus a valance, a frame for these and the screen-incorporating traveler track, a rnotor and related electrical control devices. The manufacturer states the screen itself can also be supplied, e A new coffee vendor (see photo) produced by Mills Industries of Chicago is designed to allow each customer to flavor coffee to his own personal taste. Each patron selects the exact amount of cream and sugar desired from "none" to "rich" instead of just choosing •with" or "without" as on many previous machines. Called the "Coffee Service" the unit employs all drj', powdered ingredients and requires no refrigeration. It has a full 5 00 -cup and drink capacity. c Appointment of the Superior Theatre Equipment Co. of Philadelphia and Sterling Sales and Serince, Inc. of Dallas as dealers for Lorraine carbons has been announced by Ed Lachman, president of Lorraine Carbons, Inc., of Boonton, N. J. The Charles E. Hires Co., Philadelphia, has introduced a new snack bar, incorpor:iting a built-in refrigerator having a capacity of 2,000 frankfurters. It is designed to provide large-size operations with "volume food service requirements at a lower operating expense," according to C. D. Clarke, Hires general sales manager of the Fountain division. s The Steber Mfg. Co., Broadview, 111., has announced a new aluminum floodHght with thermal shock and impact resistant lens for 200-300 watt lamps. The reflector and neck of this unit are spun of heavy gauge aluminum in one piece. The floodlight is furnished with a heavy-duty round base for mounting to any flat surface or directly to a 4-inch outlet box.