Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

March 24, 1923 1383 Missouri Senate Rejects "Chain Store" Measure THE Missouri Senate on March 9th voted against engrossing the socalled " chain store " bill. This measure primarily intended to hit chain grocery stores, drug stores, restaurants, etc., would have affected strings of theaties under one management. As drawn, it limited the number of houses one organization could own to ten. The license fees would also be scaled, increasing $500 for each new house. For instance, one theatre would pay $500 license, two $1,500, three, $3,000, etc. Late advices from the capital are that censorship is "dead" but there is serious danger that the bills prohibiting the sale of tickets to theatres after all seats are occupied will be passed. 79% of Pictures Shown in Brazil Are American The overwhelming superiority of American films in the Brazil market is strikingly demonstrated in a report of the Brazilian board of censorship for the year 1922, received by John L. Day, South American representative of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. Of a total of 1,341 pictures imported in Brazil during the last year, 1,058 were from the United States and the remaining 283 were divided among twelve countries. Statistics collected by Dr. Roberto Etchebarne, head of the Brazilian police censorship, show that seventy-nine per cent of the films imported were from the United States. This was an increase of eight per cent, over 1921. Dr. Etchebarne reports that eliminations were made in but 68 pictures, of which 37 were from the United States, and that titles were changed on 137 pictures for various reasons. The total footage eliminated by the censors was 564.G0 metres, and only one film was banned for exhibition purposes. " From the viewpoint of morality," says Dr. Etchebarne in discussing the commission's work, " the American pictures hold first place in Brazil. This fact, together with their wonderful sets, directing, artists and photography justifies their universal preference throughout the country." 68 Degrees Temperature in Theatres Compulsory Of much interest to motion picture interests throughout Southern New England, especially where buildings are occupied under lease, has been the action at Willimantie, Conn., of Louis J. Coriarty, lessee of the Strand theatre, against Isaac Rosen, owner of the building. The plaintiff claimed that low temperature in the theatre at a Sunday night performance caused several to leave the house. Complaint was lodged with the prosecuting attorney that Rosen failed to provide necessary heat for the building, and he was summoned into court on a charge of violating the state heating law. Principals in the action agreed to a continuance of the ease until March 12. Rosen was warned by the court that he must keep the theatre properly heated, at least 68 degrees, while programs are being presented. Rosen stated he would conform to the law and that there would be no more complaint about heat, as far as he was concerned. It was pointed out by the court that the owner of buildings in Connecticut who rent stores, flats, offices or living quarters, must have their buildings heated to a temperature of at least 68 degrees, Fahrenheit. Various Bills Await Action by Penn. State Lawmakers Various bills affecting the film industry and especially the exhibitor division, await action by the Pennsylvania legislature at Harrisburg. Peter Magaro, vice-president of the Pennsylvania M. P. T. O., and C. Floyd Hopkins, prominent exhibitor of Harrisburg, members of the legislative committee of the exhibitors' organization, have given assurance that the proposed measures are being watched and will be dealt with at the proper time. One bill would impose a tax of one per cent on the gross receipts of the theatres. Another would tax the receipts of slot-device weighing and vending machines, which are sometimes found in theatres. An " equal rights " bill, wiping out race distinctions in public amusement places, is again up for action. Another measure would prohibit the changing of prices of admissions to shows on different days. Daylight Saving is also up for action. A public hearing on this subject before the Ways and Means Committee was scheduled for March 13th. The proposed bill would make it illegal for any city to adopt Daylight Saving time. It is also proposed to tax billboards, and the exhibitor representatives have assured the billposters' organizations of the state of their co-operation in defeating the measure. Hearing on the billboard tax before the Ways and Means Committee has been set for March 20th. C. R . Halligan Has Managed Albany Office 5 Years C. R. Halligan has the distinction of having managed a film exchange in Albany, N. Y., for a longer period than any other manager in that city. On April 3 Mr. Halligan will have been the manager of the Universal exchange in that city for five straight years. Other film managers are planning to give him a dinner, it is reported. Mr. Halligan was at one time owner of the Daisy theatre in Green Island, N. Y., and was so closely identified with the house that he is known today throughout the Capital District as "Daisy" Halligan. Oklahoma Theatre -Owners Hold Convention THE Oklahoma Theatre-Owners and Managers Association held its semiannual convention in the City Auditorium in Oklahoma City, Okla., on March 1st and 2d, with about two-hundred theatre owners and managers in attendance. Percy Talbott of Tulsa, Okla., president of the organization, presided. A report made on adverse legislation pending in the state legislature expressed the opinion that the hostile proposals would not meet with sufficient support to pass. Among the resolutions passed were: condemnation of the renting of films to non-theatrical institutions ; a petition to Congress that war tax on admissions be revoked. The following members of an Arbitration Board were appointed: J. M. Cooper, Morris Lowenstein, Oklahoma City; Tony Ryan, First National; and Wallace Walthall, Associated Exhibitors. A fifth member is to be named by the committee. A ball and banquet were among the meeting's social features. The next convention is planned for September or October in Oklahoma City. Selznick and Select Reorganization Effected LAST word information has been received from the executive offices of the Selznick enterprises to the effect that a complete reorganization has just been effected of both the Select and Selznick companies and their subsidiaries, and that a detailed statement will be made public next week which.. will include the new plans. Recent Incorporations in New York State Motion picture companies incorporating in New York state during the past week show the following directors and capitalization : Carlos Productions, $500, Ruth Vogel, Etta London, Anne Eichel, New York City; General Synchronizing Corporation, $500, William S. Gluck, E. Friberg, C. Rosenberg, New York; Young Pictures Corporation, $5,000, H. W. Schall, C. Wolff, Brooklyn; M. Parsons, New York; Daniel Amusement Co., Inc., $100,000, Leopold Prince, Benjamin Calef, D. T. Rosen, New York; Braneck Amusement Corporation, $25,000, H. Brandt, Brooklyn ; H. H. Eckman, L. Himmerfarbe, New York; Daily Film Delivery Co., Inc., $30,000, Nat Feltman, Stella Simon, Eman Pennamacoor, New York; Cameo Distributing Co., $10,000, Joseph Forster, Brooklyn; M. R. and Isaac Weinberg, New York; Casinelli Pictures, Inc., $500, E. J. Lukas, M. M. Fisher, Edward I. Berriman, New York; B. S. Moss Holding Corporation, $1,000, T. F. Garrity, Brooklyn; J. G. Griffin, New York; Gabrielle Brock, Jersey City, N. J.; Tall Theatre Corporation, Brooklyn, $15,000, Hyman Lowenthal, Herman Turin, Brooklyn; Max Levinthal, New York; Clinton Strand Theatre, Inc., Buffalo, $25,000, C. and N. Vassiliadis, Buffalo; H. Roussi, New York. Film Bills Unlikely to Be Reported Out in N. Y. The two bills mtroduced about a month ago in the State Senate by Senator Love relating to miniature picture apparatus and the requirements for miniature machines, are still in committee, with little chance apparently of their being reported out. The bill introduced by Assemblyman Miller on February 26 imposing an annual tax on the gross receipts of motion picture theatres, as well as other forms of amusement, is also in committee. The same holds true of Senator Levy's bill relative to theatrical performances in first class cities of New York state on Sunday. A bill was introduced March 7 by Senator Levy relating to a lien on motion picture film laboratories. Kansas Bill Would Eliminate Race Distinctions What is considered the most radical measure introduced thus far in the Kansas legislature was introduced this week by Mrs. Minnie Grinstead of Liberal, Kans., in the house. The proposed bill would eliminate entirely any distinction between negroes and white persons, making it compulsory for all theatres and hotels to admit negroes the same as white persons. This bill is causing Kansas exhibitors little worry, however, as public sentiment is strongly against the measure. The welfare measure, which provides for the creation of a welfare board in each county of Kansas to grant licenses to theatres, still is on the "shelf."