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 #:
000171
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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Jambs W. Hunter, Direct Examination. 2621 Q. What was the name of this moving picture theatre that you had in 1911? A. The Doris. Q. What was the seating capacity of it? A. At that time I think 200 seats, and now 344. Q. When you were operating the Wilkins Theatre, or interested in it, from what exchange was it taking motion pictures? A. We took for about two months from the Duquesne Amusement Company. Q. Yes? A. And from there we went to the Pittsburgh Film Company. Q. Was that the Pittsburgh branch of the Pittsburgh Calcium Light Company? A. Yes, sir, that was their branch; and after we were in there awhile they added the Columbia branch to it, and sold it. Q. Was that a licensed or unlicensed exchange? A. Licensed. Q. Do you know whether or not it was an Edison licensee at one time? A. That I couldn't say. Q. Since you have been interested in the Doris Theatre from what manufacturers has the Doris Theatre taken motion picture service? A. We opened with the independent, from the Pittsburgh Photo-Play. Q. How long did you take service from the Pittsburgh Photo-Play? A. About four or five months. Q. From whom did you then take service? A. From the General Film Company, the Columbia branch. Q. Is the Doris Theatre able to select a program in advance and advertise the same? A. Yes, sir, we do not select our own program. Q. Is it able to have a program assigned to it, and to advertise the same and to exhibit it on the date designated in the advertisement? A. Yes, sir. Q. Does it advertise its program in advance? A. Yes, sir, it advertises its program ahead. Q. Do you get satisfactory service from the General Film Company? A. Yes, sir. Q. Do you ever make requests of them for special service or special features? A. Yes, sir, we have. Q. Do they co-operate with you and give you what you ask? A. Yes, sir, always seem to wisli to give me everything I ask, if they can supply it. Q. When you had the Wilkins Theatre, were you able to