The Moving picture world (January 1924-February 1924)

98 MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 12, 1924 Anti-Tax Propaganda Inundates Country; Big N. Y. Campaign By TOM WALLER IF by this time any exhibitor in the entire United States does not know the part he is to take in the fight against the admission tax then it would seem, according to literature on that subject piled up in the World office, that the Christmas rush had delayed the mailman. Quite obviously, however, the postman has not lost any time in his distribution of two vital anti-tax pamphlets. One is entitled "The Repeal of the Admission Tax." This is gotten out by the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New York State. The other is "A Book of Facts," credited to the Special Committee of Motion Picture Theatre Owners working in co-operation with the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc. William Brandt, head of the Empire State organization, says there will be no admission tax this time next year if the rest of the Union rolls up the majority of anti-tax enthusiasts which he is confident New York will. New York has forty-three congressional representatives and the space they occupy in the law-making stadium at Washington is just three times as long and wide as that crowded by the pick of any other three states — and these combined. New York, according to Brandt, thus takes the lead in the importance of polling a big crushing vote. And Brandt feels sure that forty-one of the forty-three here will vote "aye" for the repeal. Concerning the other two he is a little optimistically dubious. They are, at present, firm bonus advocates, he says, but adds that their mail is glutted with letters from exhibitors and that this may have a great deal to do with unanimity when it comes to the final vote. As a final persuasive measure, or, as he terms it — one to insure the outcome of New York — Brandt today, January 2, assigned Samuel Berman, secretary of the organization, to Albany. There Berman will open a M. P. T. O. of N. Y. S. branch office in the Albany Chamber of Commerce headquarters. This office will function during the entire legislative session and Berman will be there all of that time. Brandt announces that the Albany subsidiary has a twofold purpose. The other is that several other important matters, not especially relevant to the tax but germane to the industry, are underfoot. When and how these will be presented to the state lawmakers will be later made known by Brandt. New York exhibitors for the last ten days have been in possession of their organization's booklet and, Brandt observes, are already carrying out its instructions to the last "T." Among the things they are requested to do are: Wire your Congressman and Senator; then write to them; use your screen to ask your public to help in this fight — they are interested; use all your advertising matter as mediums to enlist your public; have your patrons sign a petition; enlist the co-operation of civic organizations; organize a word-of-mouth squad at your theatre; most important — keep state headquarters' office of M. P. T. O. of N. Y. advised of^ everything you do and accomplish so it may be used as organized ammunition in the fight. This booklet also presents statistics and other material aids for the successful execution of the eight ways in which to carry on the fight. The word at Will Hays' office today, January 2, is that "something" is expected to "break very soon." H. M. Richey, head of the special committee, who came here as the New York representative and adviser in the tax battle several months ago, is expected to be back at 522 Fifth avenue by January 15. Richcy's brief period of absence is said to be one of personal business at Detroit, Michigan. The pamphlet emanating through the special committee carries three classes of instruction to the exhibitor. They are : Write his Congressman and Senators after he has placed into his hands the best arguments and facts why this unjust tax should be lifted ; to get ten or more of his friends, not theatre owners, but preferably also acquaintances of the Congressman or Senators to write the legislators advocating the repeal of the tax; to enlist the aid of the newspaper in his community in running editorials, favoring the amusement tax repeal. Mr. Richey requests that all editorial comment on the tax published in the local press be sent to him. The special commiuee has divided its territory into districts and over each it has appointed a chairman. To the chairman has been entrusted the responsibil Plays Before Royalty For the third time Douglas Fairbanks in "Robin Hood" has been shown before royalty in Europe, thus setting a precedent for American-made films, according to a statement recently issued from the Douglas Fairbanks Picture Corporation. In this instance "Robin Hood" was viewed by the King and Queen of Italy in the Royal Palace. " 'Robin Hood' was privately screened before Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Italy, also Prince Humbert and royal family, at the castle. Greatly enjoyed your production," said a cable despatch received last week by Mr. Fairbanks from his representative in Italy. Other sovereigns who have viewed "Robin Hood" include the King and Queen of England and the King and Queen of Spain. Belasco Film Finished "Welcome Stranger" Ready for the Screen Word has just been received from the West Coast that the task of turning Aaron Hoffman"s "Welcome Stranger" into a film is ended, and nothing now remains but to turn "Isidor Solomon" loose on the country's screens and give him a chance to welcome those who have been strangers to a good laugh for a long time. Reports have it that Edward Belasco, under whose auspices the picture was made, has turned out an exceptionally fine production. The reproduction of a New England street scene in particular is regarded as one of Hollywood's atmospheric marvels of the year. "Welcome Stranger" is interpreted by such screen luminaries as Florence Vidor, Virginia Brown Faire, Noah Beery, Dore Davidson, Otis Harlan, Robert Edeson, Lloyd Hughes, William V. Mong and Fred Butler. ity of circulating these booklets among the respective exhibitors of his jurisdiction. The pamphlet, in addition to providing much valuable propaganda, points out that the burden of ridding himself and the public of the tax burden rests largely upon the exhibitor. In this respect, it states: "While the greatest of our weeklies boasts of a circulation of 2,500,000, the movies reach 70,000,000 weekly " SCENES FROM "JUST OFF BROADWAY," STARRING JOHN GILBERT. IT IS A FOX PRODUCTION.