The Price of Patriotism at the Princess Theatre
War taxes and rising costs force a local theater to raise ticket prices, prompting a patriotic appeal to the community.
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The Princess Theatre management announced that the war has hit motion picture theaters very hard, with a large percentage of smaller houses expected to close. New federal burdens include taxes on seating capacity ranging from $25 to $100, a new tax on admissions, a tax of 15 cents per reel per day, the War Income tax, the surtax on profits, and war taxes on express shipments. In addition to these extraordinary burdens, every item needed for motion picture entertainment has increased in price. The management proposes to meet these obligations to the Government, and commencing December 1st, the tax will be added to the price of admission. This change was decided on after long hesitation and only when it became absolutely necessary to remain in business.
“The management of this theatre proposes to meet its obligations to the Government cheerfully and conscientiously.”
During World War I, local businesses were often coerced into aligning their survival with national war efforts through 'slacker' accusations. Today, businesses face similar pressures from inflationary costs and corporate taxes, illustrating how the 'buy local' narrative has long been used as a tool to bridge the gap between private business survival and public civic duty.
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