WESTCOTT COMMUNICATIONS INC
SC 13D, 1996-02-22
CABLE & OTHER PAY TELEVISION SERVICES
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                         Page 1 of 11 Pages
                         Exhibit Index Appears on Page 10

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                                UNITED STATES
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 Schedule 13D

                  Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                            (Amendment No.     )*

                        Westcott Communications, Inc.
                               (Name of Issuer)

                   Common Stock, par value $0.01 par value
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                     95752F106
                                  (CUSIP Number)

                                 Thomas W. Smith
                                323 Railroad Avenue
                   Greenwich, CT  06830        (203) 661-1200
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices
                                and Communications)

                              February 12, 1996
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)


If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to 
report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is 
filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the 
following box [ ].

Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement [x].
(A fee is not required  only if the filing  person:  (1) has a previous
statement on file reporting  beneficial  ownership  of more  than  five
percent  of the  class of securities  described  in Item 1;  and (2) has
filed  no  amendment  subsequent thereto reporting  beneficial ownership
of five percent or less of such class.) (See Rule 13d-7.)

Note: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be 
filed with the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom 
copies are to be sent.

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class
of securities, and for any  subsequent  amendment  containing
information  which  would  alter the disclosures provided in a prior
cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not
be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the  Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise  subject to the liabilities
of that section of the Act but  shall be  subject  to all other
provisions  of the Act  (however,  see the Notes).



<PAGE>



                                                            Page 2 of 11 Pages

CUSIP NO.  95752F106

 1        NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
          S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS:

          Thomas W. Smith

 2        CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
          (a)  [ ]
          (b)  [x]


 3        SEC USE ONLY

 4        SOURCE OF FUNDS*

          00 (Funds of Managed Accounts), PF


 5        CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
          TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)     [ ]

 6        CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

          U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES               7  SOLE VOTING POWER                173,540
BENEFICIALLY                   8  SHARED VOTING POWER              840,000
OWNED BY EACH                  9  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER           173,540
REPORTING PERSON WITH         10  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER         840,000


11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

          1,013,540

12       CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

          [ ]

13       PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

          5.13%

14       TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

          IN


                   *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
        INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
    (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION.
                                                                  2 of 7
<PAGE>




                                                            Page 3 of 11 Pages

CUSIP NO.  95752F106

 1        NAMES OF REPORTING PERSON
          S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

          Thomas N. Tryforos

 2        CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
          (a)  [ ]
          (b)  [x]


 3        SEC USE ONLY

 4        SOURCE OF FUNDS*

          00 (Funds of Managed Accounts), PF


 5        CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
          TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)     [ ]

 6        CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

          U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES               7  SOLE VOTING POWER                  9,450
BENEFICIALLY                   8  SHARED VOTING POWER              840,000
OWNED BY EACH                  9  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER             9,450
REPORTING PERSON WITH         10  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER         840,000


11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

          849,450

12       CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

          [ ]

13       PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

          4.30%

14       TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

          IN


                   *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
        INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
    (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION.
                                                                  2 of 7

<PAGE>




                                                             Page 4 of 11 Pages


ITEM 1.           SECURITY AND ISSUER.
                  This statement relates to the common stock, $.01 par value
(the "Common Stock") of Westcott Communications, Inc., a Texas corporation whose
principal executive offices are located at 1303 Marsh Lane, Carrollton, Texas
75006.

ITEM 2.           IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.
                  (a) - (f) This statement is filed jointly by Thomas W. Smith
and Thomas N. Tryforos (the "Reporting Persons"), each of whom is a private
investment manager with a business address at 323 Railroad Avenue, Greenwich,
Connecticut 06830. The filing of this statement shall not be deemed to be an
admission that the Reporting Persons comprise a "group" within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. During the
last five years, neither of the Reporting Persons has been convicted in a
criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanors) nor
has either of the Reporting Persons been a party to a civil proceeding of a
judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of
such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining
future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal
or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
Each of the Reporting Persons is a citizen of the United States.



<PAGE>


                                                             Page 5 of 11 Pages


ITEM 3.           SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.
                  An aggregate of $13,532,335.99 of the funds of the
Managed Accounts (as hereinafter defined), $1,394,013.25 of
the personal funds of Mr. Smith, and $135,663.75 of the
personal funds of Mr. Tryforos were used to purchase the
shares reported herein.

ITEM 4.           PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.
                  As set forth in Item 5, Mr. Smith beneficially owns 913,540
shares of Common Stock in his capacity as investment manager for certain managed
accounts (the "Managed Accounts"), and Mr. Tryforos beneficially owns 840,000
shares in his capacity as investment manager for four of the Managed Accounts.
The Managed Accounts consist of three private investment limited partnerships of
which each of the Reporting Persons is a general partner, an employee
profit-sharing plan of a corporation of which Mr. Smith is the sole stockholder
(for which the two Reporting Persons are trustees), a private investment general
partnership of which Mr. Smith is a general partner, certain family members,
certain trusts for the benefit of certain family members of Mr. Smith and a
private charitable foundation established by Mr. Smith. Each of the Reporting
Persons has acquired beneficial ownership of the Managed Accounts' Shares for
the purpose of achieving the investment policies of the Managed Accounts; and
Mr. Smith and Mr. Tryforos have acquired their respective Personal Shares for
investment purpose. Depending upon market conditions, evaluation of alternative
investments, and such other


<PAGE>


                                                              Page 6 of 11 Pages


factors as he may consider relevant, each of the Reporting Persons may purchase
or sell shares of Common Stock for the Managed Accounts or other managed
accounts or for his own account if appropriate opportunities to do so are
available, on such terms and at such times as such Reporting Person considers
desirable. Subject to the foregoing, none of the Reporting Persons has any
present plans or proposals which relate to or would result in any of the actions
or events enumerated in clauses (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
                  (a) The aggregate number and percentage (based upon
information included in the Form 10-Q filed by the issuer for the quarter ended
September 30, 1995 that 19,746,565 shares of Common Stock were outstanding as of
November 8, 1995) of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each of the
Reporting Persons is as follows: Mr. Smith -- 1,013,540 (5.13%); Mr. Tryforos --
849,450 shares (4.30%). All of such shares are held in the Managed Accounts,
except for the Personal Shares.
                  (b)      Mr. Smith has the sole power to vote or to
direct the vote and sole power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of 173,540 shares of Common Stock.  Mr. Tryforos
has the sole power to vote or to direct the vote and sole
power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 9,450
shares of Common Stock.  Each of the Reporting Persons has
shared power to vote or to direct the vote and shared power


<PAGE>


                                                              Page 7 of 11 Pages


to dispose or to direct the disposition of 840,000 shares of
Common Stock.
                  (c) During the 60 days preceding the date hereof, the
Reporting Persons purchased an aggregate of 368,290 shares of Common Stock on
behalf of the Managed Accounts in open market transactions on the
over-the-counter market as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    NUMBER OF SHARES
DATE OF PURCHASE                        PURCHASED                               PRICE PER SHARE
- ----------------                    -----------------                           ---------------
<S>                                 <C>                                         <C>    
1/17/96                                     20,000                                      13.8750
1/18/96                                     30,000                                      14.8540
1/19/96                                     20,000                                      15.2810
1/22/96                                     10,000                                      15.1880
1/23/96                                     20,000                                      15.7030
1/24/96                                     27,500                                      16.0910
1/25/96                                     12,500                                      16.2000
1/26/96                                      5,000                                      16.2500
1/29/96                                     55,000                                      16.1250
2/2/96                                      10,000                                      13.8750
2/5/96                                         140                                      13.6250
2/5/96                                         100                                      13.7500
2/7/96                                       1,000                                      13.6250
2/7/96                                         100                                      13.7500
2/8/96                                      20,000                                      13.6562
2/9/96                                     100,000                                      13.8901
2/12/96                                     20,000                                      13.9380
2/13/96                                      5,500                                      13.6250
2/21/96                                      6,450                                      13.1650
2/21/96                                      5,000                                      13.7500
</TABLE>

                   (d) The Managed Accounts have the right to receive dividends
from, and the proceeds from the sale of, the Managed Accounts' Shares.
                  (e)      Not Applicable.

ITEM 6.           CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATION-
                  SHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

                  Except as otherwise set forth in this statement, there are no
contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships between any of the
Reporting Persons and any other person with respect to any securities of the
issuer, including any contract,


<PAGE>


                                                              Page 8 of 11 Pages


arrangement, understanding or relationship concerning the transfer or the voting
of any securities of the issuer, finder's fees, joint ventures, loan or option
arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss,
or the giving or withholding of proxies. 

ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.
                  1.       Agreement relating to the joint filing of
Statement on Schedule 13D dated February 22, 1996 as required by
Rule 13d-1(f).



<PAGE>


                                                              Page 9 of 11 Pages


                                    SIGNATURE

                  After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.

Date:  February 22, 1996

                                               /s/ Thomas W. Smith
                                                    Thomas W. Smith


                                              /s/ Thomas N. Tryforos
                                                    Thomas N. Tryforos


<PAGE>


                                                             Page 10 of 11 Pages


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                SEQUENTIALLY
DOCUMENT                                                                        NUMBERED PAGE


<S>      <C>                                                                    <C>
1.       Agreement relating to the joint                                                11
         filing of Statement on Schedule
         13D dated February 22, 1996 as
         required by Rule 13d-1(f).

</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                                                             Page 11 of 11 Pages


EXHIBIT 1



                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT


                  The undersigned agree that the foregoing Statement on Schedule
13D, dated February 22, 1996, is being filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on behalf of each of the undersigned pursuant to Rule 13d-1(f).

Dated:  February 22, 1996

                                                  /s/ Thomas W. Smith
                                                        Thomas W. Smith


                                                  /s/ Thomas N. Tryforos
                                                        Thomas N. Tryforos


<PAGE>




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