New Petitions Against Tax

New Petitions Against Tax is a subheadline that appears in prop newspapers in many old films, often accompanied by "Building Code Under Fire," and at least twice by "Increase in Commuter Fares Denied." These headlines serve as unremarkable filler, so as not to attract attention away from the screaming, plot-related main headline.

Still, the same phrases appearing again and again in different movies lend them a kind of mystique. They've appeared in many Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes, and are occasionally referenced by Joel, Mike, Tom and Crow. It first appears in the first Commando Cody short.

New Petitions Against Tax

First Appearance in Radar Men from the Moon, Chapter One (in The Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy Episode 102)

Bride of the Monster
Episode 423

Beginning of the End
Episode 517
Tom says, "Oh, no... New petition against tax again?" Mike expresses shock.

Teen-Age Crime Wave
Episode 522

Revenge of the Creature
Episode 801

The Deadly Mantis
Episode 804
Mike gasps, "New petitions against tax!" Tom whispers, "My God!"

The She-Creature
Episode 808

I Was a Teenage Werewolf
Episode 809
Tom coos, "Oh, that poor building code..."

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New Petitions Against Tax (non-MST3K)

Killers from Space
The Film Crew

Plan 9 from Outer Space
Edward D. Wood Jr.'s Plan 9 From Outer Space also featured both "new petition against tax" and "building code under fire".

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms

Glen or Glenda
The Mads Are Back

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Building Code Under Fire

"Building Code Under Fire" often appears with "New Petitions Against Tax", but it's also made some solo appearances.

The Indestructible Man
Episode 409
Joel says, "Oh! Prime cuts go on sale at noon." Tom adds, "Building code under fire."

The Violent Years
Episode 610

Frankenstein's Daughter (RiffTrax). Also note "New Petitions..."

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