Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1946)

British Showmen Launch Fight for Taxation Relief London Bureau Not disposed to sit down quietly under the Chancellor of the Exchequer's recent refusal to abate the immense volume of entertainment tax paid by their theatres — the total last financial year was £41,000,000 ($164,000,000)— the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association, led by Sir Alexander Boyne King, has launched a vigorous campaign for a reversal of the decision. Strategy devised by the CEA is to have a series of amendments to the Finance Bill moved by friendly Members of Parliament when the bill is discussed in detail by a committee of the whole House of Commons, setting forth in comprehensive detail the easement of tax demanded. Cites Need for Pressure The CEA claims that it is already assured considerable oratorical support in the Commons but it presses on its membership the imperative need for individual action. The CEA claims that the burden of the tax falls just as heavily on the public as it does on the industry. A special CEA publicity committee proposes not only to issue propaganda stories to the newspapers, but to have a special series of slides prepared which will be exhibited in every cinema in the land. Exhibitors pledge themselves to pass on to their patrons a considerable proportion of any tax which the Chancellor may remit. Shrewdly, Sir Alexander points out that the tax is a two-fold one, hitting at both the film trade and the family. It is computed that the annual cost to the Exchequer of the proposed abatement would be somewhere in the neighborhood of £10,000,000 ($40,000,000). But, say exhibitors, that is a flea-bite in the enormous fiscal burden which the nation is now called upon to carry. Moreover, they add, remission on the scale demanded would be some slight recognition of the immense efforts the industry put forward in morale-building throughout the war. Tribute to King Revival of this exhibitor claim is a tribute to the abounding forceful energy of Sir Alexander. When the Chancellor first announced his decision, CEA's general council was in the mood to accept what they felt to be a certainty. The fiery Scot from over the border, however, was not content. Filled with evangelical zeal, he initiated a raging, tearing campaign among the rank and file of the CEA, saying publicly that he "wished the present General Council had some of the guts of members 25 years ago when they really fought these campaigns." Discuss Educational Picture In World Program of UN James Marshall, Commissioner of Education for the city of New York, headed a panel discussion on the role of the educational film in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization program, Wednesday at a luncheon meeting of the New York Film Council at the Hotel Sheraton. Mr. Marshall outlined the policies of the UNESCO as they pertain to motion pictures as well as other media of communications. Other speakers on the program were Erick Haight, president of Films, Inc. ; Willard Van Dyke, of Affiliated Film Productions, Inc., and Professor Charles A. Siepmann, professor of education and director of the film library of New York University. Increase Assessments On St. Louis Theatres Personal tax assessments of motion picture theatres in St. Louis have been raised from 200 to 300 per cent and in some instances are 10 times as high as they were a year or two ago. City Assessor Eugene M. Gise has taken the view that the basis of assessments shall be the cost of equipment, carpets, drapes, seats, etc., new, less these depreciation percentages : For one to five years, 25 per cent; five to 10 years, 50 per cent, and 10 years or more 75 per cent. Exhibitors say in some cases the assessments are more than the actual prices paid for the equipment. Exhibitors may appeal to the Board of Equalization which began a fourweek session May 20. New York Directors Vote Affiliation with Coast Unit The Screen Directors Guild of New York has approved a project for affiliation with the Hollywood Screen Directors Guild and instructed its president, Bud Pollard, and treasurer. Gene Martel, now in Hollywood for the negotiations, to put forward a proposal for the eventual merger of the two guilds into one national body. The New York guild came east this week with a comprehensive joint plan which will embody all the legal limitations of the states of California and New York. Both guilds already have agreed that the newly formed eastern body would adopt the Hollywood basic agreement for entertainment films. "Kid" Campaign Starts A $200,000 advertising campaign on Samuel Goldwyn's "The Kid from Brooklyn" has begun to break in general magazines. Half the campaign is comprised of full pages, in four colors, in Colliers, Good Housekeeping, Ladies' Home Journal, Liberty, Life, Look, Saturday Evening Post and Seventeen. Bowling League Banquet The Edmonton Theatres Bowling League held its annual banquet May 19 at the Club Roosevelt, Edmonton, Alberta. Alec Entwisle, one of Canada's oldest theatre managers, was a guest of honor. William H. Wilson was master of ceremonies. Urges Screen Cooperation on United Nations The United Nations is appealing to the motion picture industry for cooperation in securing peace for the world. Pointing out that the industry's newsreels covered the current meeting of the Security Council, but that it is not covering more important aspects of the United Nations, such as the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Human Rights, a UN spokesman Tuesday delivered his organization's appeal to an assembly of motion picture personalities. Speaking to a crowded North Ballroom at the Hotel Astor, New York, at luncheon that day, as a guest of the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers, was Benjamin Cohen, chief of information for the United Nations. Says Film Can Do Most "Of all information media, we feel that the motion pictures can do most in a more permanent manner to get our message across. We must make the people of all countries more familiar with the aims of our charter. It is not enough for everybody merely to feel that war does not pay. The motion picture can give them understanding of our intentions, it can truly appeal, it can speak any language, it is permanent because it is constantly available, and it combines like no other medium sight with sound." The UN public information department, he said, has established a constant liaison with friendly groups in all countries possible. The newsreels, Mr. Cohen said, were anxious, because of what they thought was news value, to cover the Security Council; but he had to provide his own film recording of the meeting of the Commission on Human Rights. This, he said, was in spite of the appearance of a representative of the Motion Picture Association before the Commission in behalf of the freedom of communications. Introduced by Harmon Mr. Cohen was introduced by Francis Harmon, vice-president of the MPA, who told Mr. Cohen that in addressing the film industry persons at the AMPA luncheon he was speaking to representatives of Hollywood a "miniature United Nations, an international center of the world, which has demonstrated in the past its capacity to translate the art works of all the world." Rutgers Neilson, AMPA president, presided. A moment of silence was observed for the late Arthur James, motion picture journalist, who died in Baltimore last week. On the dais with Mr. Neilson, Mr. Harmon and Mr. Cohen were Arnold Stoltz, Phil Williams, Charles Schlaifer, Elsa Miranda, Ned E. Depinet, Jack Cohn, Malcolm Kingsberg, John Murphy. MOTION PICTURE HERALD. JUNE I, 1946 27