In the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, petitioner, vs. Motion Picture Patents Company, et al., defendants (1914)

Record Details:

Title:
In the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, petitioner, vs. Motion Picture Patents Company, et al., defendants
Date:
1914
Publisher:
New York, Appeal Printing Co.
Volume:
In the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, petitioner, vs. Motion Picture Patents Company, et al., defendants : record volume 5
Leaf #:
000253
Language:
English
Collection:
Early Cinema and Government & Law
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
The Museum of Modern Art Library, New York
Sponsor:
Media History Digital Library
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
These seven volumes contain the testimonies and supporting documents from the U.S. District Court's antitrust lawsuit against the Motion Picture Patents Company (MPPC). Formed in 1908, the MPPC (sometimes referred to asœ"the Edison Trust" or just "the Trust") sought to control the American film industry through pooling patents and demanding that producers and exhibitors acquire licenses to those patents. Independent producers and exhibitors, who refused to license the patents, argued that the MPPC was an unlawful monopoly. In 1912 and 1913, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania heard testimonies from both MPPC members, such as Siegmund Lubin, and "Independents" who later became Hollywood moguls, such as William Fox. Ultimately, in 1915, the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which found the MPPC in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act and spelled the end for the already weakening MPPC. -- Eric Hoyt, 2012
Date Added:
September 21, 2023
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Frank Cook, Direct Examination. 2703 Thereupon, FEANK COOK, the next witness produced by the defendants, of lawful age, being first duly sworn by the Examiner, deposed as follows: Direct examination by Mr. Kingsley: Q. Where do you live, Mr. Cook? A. Milwaukee. Q. How long have you lived in Milwaukee? A. Eighteen or twenty years. Q. In what business are you engaged? A. In the moving picture business. Q. How long have you been in the moving picture business in Milwaukee? A. About twelve years. Q. Do you own or operate a theatre at the present time? A. No. Q. Did you ever own or operate a theatre in Milwaukee? A. I do not own any theatre, but I am operating several for the Saxe Amusement Enterprises. Q. How many motion picture theatres do you manage for the Saxe Amusement Enterprises? A. Five exclusive motion picture houses. Q. Are these five exclusive motion picture houses licensed houses? A. All are licensed. Q. Will you tell us Mr. Cook the names of these houses, and their seating capacities? A. The Princess, 1200; the Alhambra, 3,000. I always say the Princess first because that is my house. The Theatorium, 400, the Modjeska, that is 1,000, and the Juneau, about 1200. Q. Were you operating motion picture houses or motion picture theatres in Milwaukee in 1909 and 1910? A. Yes, sir. Q. From what rental exchange are you securing motion picture programs for the various houses to which you have referred? A. Through the Milwaukee branch of the General Film Company, assisted by the Chicago branch. Q. From what rental exchange did you obtain service for the house or houses you were operating in Milwaukee before the General Film Company began to do business in that field? A. From Spoor of Chicago. Q. At the time you were obtaining service from Spoor, of Chicago, did you find it possible to advertise a certain definite fixed program in advance, and to produce that program on the date designated in your advertisement? A. No, sir.