Boxoffice-December.25.1948

. . . Bob
. . Ann
Seek Amusement Tax A T L A N T A
At Montgomery, Ala.
MONTGOMERY—Faced with a revenue
deficit of $440,(>00 in 1949, the city of Montgomery
is studying new sources of revenue.
A report just issued by the city commission
suggests several possible new taxes, including
an amtisement tax, about which the
report said:
"Many cities in the country, including a
number in Alabama, have turned to this
means of augmenting their revenue. It is
estimated that a 10 per cent rate would produce
approximately $100,000 per year. This
would be placed on all forms of entertainments
and amusements operated for a profit,
except strictly amateur athletic events and
performances, and those where the proceeds
are dedicated to purely charitable and religious
purposes."
Other forms for raising revenue included
parking meters (.already contracted for), an
increase in city water rates, garbage collection
service charge, a new license schedule,
and a 1 per cent city sales tax. The state
already collects a 2 per cent sales tax.
At a recent meeting of the city commission
and representative citizens, the city
sales tax seemed to be favored. However,
there is sonre opposition among merchants.
The new licensing schedule already has
been adopted, and includes the following
provision: "For giving theatrical performances,
balls or other entertainments, except
when the entire proceeds are to be used for
recognized charitable purposes, a license or
privilege tax of $10 for each performance
or sum equal to 1 per cent of the gross receipts
of each performance, whichever is
greater."
Christmas Gift Offer
CORAL GABLES—At the Miracle Theatre,
a Wometco unit, and the Coral and Gables
theatres of the Paramount Enterprises chain,
"Books of Happiness" are being offered as
Christmas gifts. The books are available at
prices ranging from one dollar to five, and
are redeemable at any theatre in the circuit
from which it is purchased.
To Begin New Drive-In
MEMPHIS, TENN.—Construction of the
new Park Avenue Drive-In will get imder
way immediately. The corporation building
the drive-in is headed by H.H. Roth.
START NOW
to plan your Cooling Equipment Needs
for the coming season. We will be glad
to figure with you.
THE QUEEN FEATURE
SERVICE, Inc.
Quality Theatre Equipment
and Supplies
BIRMINGHAM 3. ALABAMA
TWTrs. Sara Smith, head of the accounting
department at U-I, was confined to the
hospital because of illness . . . John Lawrence,
manager of the Dalton Tlieatre, Dalton,
Ga., has returned to his post after a
ten-week illness . . . Katie Evans and Betty
Howell of Screen Guild celebrated birthdays.
Charlie Durmeyer, president of Southern
Automatic Candy Co., checked in at his office
after a Florida trip . . . Local holdovers were
"June Bride" at the Roxy, a reissue bill at
the Rialto and "A Song Is Born" at the
Peachtree Art following five weeks at the
Rialto.
Mrs. B. A. Barlette jr., daughter of J. E.
McLeory, salesman for Monogram in Charlotte,
was ill in an Atlanta hospital . . . All
exchanges held Christmas parties on Christmas
eve . . . Miller Richardson, son of W. M.
Richardson, Astor Pictures, retm-ned to New
York . . . Harvey Smith, manager of the
Tower Theatre, and his wife have a new
jeep.
Dick Brown, star of Stop the Music, appeared
here December 22 . . . Jimmy Hobbs
called his sales force in for the hoUdays and
Jimmy Campbell and Ben Jordan will enjoy
Christmas at home this year ... At the
Astor Christmas party, William Richardson
gave employes two weeks pay and many
presents.
.
Leaving Film Classics was Mrs. Gloria
Carlisle. Taking her place is Marian Brafford
. . Alice Williams was added to the
booking department at Republic . . Not
.
only was a Christmas opening planned for
the new drive-in at Eustis, Fla.. being constructed
by Golden Triangle Enterprises, but
also there will be a Launderette on the premises
for the convenience of customers.
On the Row visiting were J. E. Edge, Mar
Theatre, Fayette, Ga.: A. L. Sheppard, Grand,
Waynesboro. Ga.: R. E. Hook, Hooks in
Alabama; C. N. Green, Broadway, Ybor City,
Fla.; H. Keeter, EL manager in Charlotte;
J. M. Miller, Dixie, Cordova, Ala.; Mose
Lebowitz, Grand Amusement Co., Chattanooga,
Tenn.; Roy Mitchell, Stone Mount
Theatre, Stone Mount. Ga.; E. Martin, Grand,
Montezuma, Ga.; C. S. Pitman, Pitman, Gads-
Ala.; Ward Wright, Coosa, Gadsden, Ala., and
Jay Solomon, the showman from Chattanooga,
Tenn.
Other exhibitors visiting here were Gault
Brown, Hollywood, Madisonville, Tenn.; Mrs.
V. M. Edwards, Wrens, Ga., Dixie Theatre;
E. P. Clay, Woodbury, Ga.; Nat Williams,
Interstate Enterprises, Thomasville, Ga.; W.
E. Griffin, Vienna, Vieima, Ga.; Mr. and
Mrs. Fred Weis, Weis theatres, Macon and
Savannah, Ga.; J. S. Tankersley, Royal, Summerville,
Ga.; W. L. McDaniel, Senoia,
Senoia, Ga.; O. C. Lam, Lam Amusement
Co., Rome, Ga.; R. H. Brannon, Roswell,
Roswell, Ga., and Mr. and Mrs. Shingler,
Buena Vista, Buena Vista, Ga.
Ginger Prince, daughter of Hugh P>rince of
the Coed Theatres in Atlanta, has returned
to the film capital from Lawton, Okla.. where
she has completed "The Lawton Story." FYom
Hollywood, she and her mother were to come
home to spend the Christmas holidays with
the family . Mayo has resigned as
head of the accounting department at U-I
Hope has signed with the Georgia
Theatres to bring his show to the Fox Theatre
for a week in January. This will be his
third trip to Atlanta.
Morristown, Tenn., Ritz
Reopens After Repairs
MORRISTOWN, TENN.—The Ritz Theatre
here has been reopened after repairs of
damages incurred when a flash fire struck
at the building. The theatre, operated by
the Crescent Amusement Co., installed a new
Western Electric sound system and projection
equipment.
BOXOFFICE December 25, 1948 91