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Mass. May Reimpose
Admissions Tax
From New England Edition
BOSTON—Possibility that Massachusetts
may reimpose an admissions tax on theatres
is regarded as serious by Carl Goldman,
executive secretary of Theatre Owners of
New England, who keeps close tab on legislative
developments affecting motion picture
exhibition in the New England area.
The big grosses by professional sporting
events really triggered renewed interest of
Massachusetts legislators in putting a 10
per cent entertainment tax on all forms of
amusements—not just on theatres alone.
Speaker David Bartley of Holyoke told
David Farrell, Boston Globe political columnist,
that imposition of such a 10 per
cent levy would yield $10 million per year.
Farrell agrees with Goldman that the
Massachusetts House will turn to the amusement
tax levy at once, should the state need
to raise additional revenue in 1974. Since
this is election year, however, Farrell, in his
February 19 column, expressed doubt that
legislators will try to push through an
amusement tax before election time.
"But there is no doubt—and leaders of
both political parties concur on this point,"
wrote Farrell, "that substantial new tax
revenue will be needed in 1975."
Farrell said that vigorous opposition of
professional baseball, hockey, basketball and
football teams to a 10 per cent amusement
ticket
tax "will be matched by that of theatre
owners, who are having their attendance
problems because of the energy crisis.
"The movie entrepreneurs, anticipating
possible implementation of an admissions
tax by the state some years ago, have taken
steps to protect their interests.
"One large association of theatres annually
sends each lawmaker on Beacon Hill
a pass for two for free admission daily to
any of the member movie houses. Largesse
of this scale is likely to insure defeat of an
admission levy when it is proposed."
George Dusman, 72, Dies;
Veteran Md. Boothman
BALTIMORE— George Gladfelter Dusman,
brother of Henry Dusman, former
owner of the J. F. Dusman Co. which was
sold to the Allied Theatre Equipment Co.
of Philadelphia and Baltimore, died Saturday
(16) at a hospital here. He was 72.
Dusman was well-known in the theatre
industry, having been a projectionist for
several motion picture houses. He was
president of MPMO Local 181 from 1957
to 1961 and later was the local's business
agent for eight years. He was working at
the Town Theatre at the time of his retirement
in 1969.
He also leaves his wife Kathryn; one
daughter, Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Wiggins;
two sons, Richard H. and Donald L., the
latter an operator at Schwaber World-Fare's
Valley Drive-In; two other brothers, Morris
and Stanley; two sisters. Miss Helen Dusman
and Mrs. Laura Blaney, and ten grandchildren.
BALTIMORE
J*lie «orId premiere ol \Iy \\.i> ' will be
held here May 1 at five theatres simultaneously.
The houses are: Northpoint Plaza.
Pikes, one of the Westview cinemas, Harford
Mall and the Hillendale. The film was
produced and directed by Joseph Brenner
Associates and stars Joseph Sicwardson.
Richard Loring and Marie Du Toit. "We
expect to have a premiere attended by visiting
dignitaries and with lots of hoopla, Ray
Thompson & Associates is handling all advertising
and publicity exclusively for "My
Way,' " stated Randy Pfeiffer. account executive
for Ray Thompson ... J. Cookman
Boyd, lawyer for MPA.A, has been in Annapolis
during the current legislative session
representing the association. He is being especially
watchful in regard to new laws presented
pertaining to the production and distribution
of films in Maryland.
Performance Magazine, entertainment
weekly published by Steven H. Cardin. has
folded after about two years due to financial
difficulties . . . Movie companies reportedly
are interested in "Lethal Gas." Ron Kurz's
first novel to be published this fall. Ron
Walter Gettinger, Gettinger Amusement
Co.. reports that the restaurant, coffee shop,
recreation room and office of the Stowaway
Motel. Ocean City, are being rebuilt at a
cost of approximately $250,000. The recreation
room, which holds 200, will be available
for conventions. Gettinger added that
his Shore Drive-In. Ocean City, plans to reopen
for the season in April—around Easter.
Israel Batista-Olivieri, administrator of
operations. Grant Theatres, and his wife
Shelma recently hosted the latter's youngest
brother. Larry Archer, a full-blooded Cherokee
Indian, and his wife Nadys, who live in
Norfolk, Va. . . . Also attending the recent
Paramount international sales seminar in
Beverly Hills. Calif., were Mr. and Mrs.
Irwin Cohen and Mr. and Mrs. .'Varon Seidler
of R/C Theatres and Mr. and Mrs. Jack
Fruchtman. JF Theatres.
Senate Bill 65 was passed Friday (1). The
measure would "prohibit obscene movies
(in) outdoor theatres whose (screens) can be
seen from public roads" . . . House Bill 1275
would allow the Maryland Board of Censors
to prohibit persons under a certain age from
seeing certain movies. This bill was introduced
by Del. Richard Rynd (D-Second
District) and would provide stiff penalties
for movie-house owners who permit minors
to view X-rated films.
Max Brecher of Hallmark Films told Seymour
Kopf. News American columnist, that
ihis city "has all the technical know-how
and professional abilities to be the new Hollywood."
According to Brecher, the first "international
X movie was financed in Baltimore
. its backers sold out too quickly
to out-of-town interests, who made millions."
Warner Bros.' "Blazing Saddles" had its
Maryland premiere Friday (15) at Security
Mall 11, Pikes and York Road Cinema .
"Breezy," starring William Holden and Kay
Ixnz, started Wednesday (1.^) at the Patterson.
Westview III, Campus Hills Cinema
2 and Senator.
Caniclot Theatres I and II in the Delco
Plaza Shopping Center, Winchester, Va.. is
owned by Virginia Theatre Enterprises,
based in Langley Park. Chief of the circuit
is Bob Goldhammer, who headquarters here
and who owns a number of other theatres
in Maryland. Claude Neon Signs made the
signs tor the Camelot duo . . . John Nethen,
secretary -treasurer of Claude Neon Signs.
reports his tirni put up all the attraction and
identification signs for Rappaport Theatres'
new Timonium cinemas I and II and the
St. . . .
manages Schwaber's Playhouse, 9 West 25th
Ritchie cinemas I. II and III. Nethen also
Roland Bruscup and Donald Miller,
reported: "We're doing a lot of mobile crane
president work for various contractors as a way of
and business agent, respectively,
of lATSE Local 181. spent day at the
circumventing the energy crunch and diversifying
a
international headquarters of lATSE in New
our business" Nethen's wife
.
York City . . . Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schmuff Lucille and ten-year-old son Gary left Saturday
(F. H. Durkee Enterprises) returned from
(16) for Fort Pierce, Fla.. to visit John's
Beverly Hills, Calif., where they attended mother Mrs. John Hoskins. They aLso
the Paramount international sales seminar. planned to see Disney World in Orlando.
Fla.
Phil Glazer, head of Associated Pictures.
reports that the company's "Fugitive Girls"
of)ened "very strong" in Richmond. Va.. Friday
(15) at the Town and Booker T. Theatres.
Glazer also announced that Boxoffice
(Continued on next page)
THE MAIM EVENT
This Spring
40 THEATRES
Washington-Baltimore Saturation
April 17
BOXOFTICE :: March 25, 1974 E-7