PONDERS TAFT-HARTLEY WAL

i
Ijrilish !o Tax Films
\)n Earning Power
LONDON—The British eovernment has
l;tKen legislative steps to enable it to in-
Irtase the import duties on American films
By changing the basis on which duty is
[i/iiluated. Hugh Dalton. chancellor of the
jiXihequer. introduced a resolution in the
1
10 use of commons empowering the treasury
|j amend section 10 of the finance act of
|i);;o to include an assessment for duty in
Illation to the net profits expected to be
Tiade from exhibition of an imported film.
iT'Sent duty has little relation to a film's
Jfl^ble earnings.
Dalton told commons that Britain has
pent approximately $68,000,000 in each of
tie last three years on the importation of
jiierican films and he contended that ea;-ni;s
of British films in the United States
lare still relatively small."
Dalton's remarks on the limited dollar
r.iwing power of British films in America
aine after a speech given by Richard F.
?,Ush, lATSE president, at luncheon of the
utional Ass'n of Theatrical and Kine Emiloyes
in London, in which he warned against
Iveroptimism about British pictures. He said
they "would not put Hollywood out of business
because it has too much equipment,
noney and technique, as well as ideas, for
lat to happen."
ijregory Peck Gets Medal
'rom British Magazine
LONDON—Gregory Peck's performance in
Jspellbound" was named the best male acting
\l 1944 by Picturegoer, a leading British fan
nagazine" which awards annual gold medals
hat are considered among the most impor-
|ant prizes for motion picture art in the
British Isles. Michael Redgrave, starring in
The Captive Heart," and Michael 'Wilding,
lor his work in "Piccadilly Incident," both
Inglish stars, ran second and third.
Anna Neagle, British star, was cited for
the gold medal award for female players for
\f-T performance in "Piccadilly Incident." a
tiltn produced by her husband. Herbert 'Wilpcx
and not yet released in America. Ingrid
ergman was mentioned in third place for
''Spellbound," running behind Celia Johnson,
who won second mention for her work in
Brief Encounter."
House Passes Mundt Bill
By Vote of 272 to 97
WASHINGTON—Brushing aside the delaying
tactics of a group of "die-hard" oppi
nents the house this week by a suprisingly
large margin of 272 to 97 passed the Mundt
bill authorizing the State department to
continue its foreign information service,
wmch Includes the production and distributiin
of motion pictures.
At the same time the senate appropriations
Committee recommended a total of $13,000,000
fcT the program, $800,000 of which is earmarked
for the production and distribution
o: educational documentary films about the
US. The $13,000,000 total was $1,000,000 more
tian the amount set by a subcommittee.
CLASS DISTRIBUTION FOR
THE ENTIRE SOUTH — thru
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