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 #:
000459
Language:
English
Collection:
Government & Law and Early Cinema
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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Defendants' Exhibit No. 133. 2909 The Light that Failed 3 reels Wagner The Hostage 4 reels " The Two Consciences Ambrosio The Eye of the Government Warner Gene Gautier Saved by the Head Hunter Warners The Pride of Jennico Famous Players The picture The Great Derby 3 reels Wagner was passed subject to the following elimination : Cut out entirely the up view of Sarah Dancing. This occurs in reel two. Attention is called to the special feature called Shackled Souls 3 reels Dragon which was shown to the National Board some three weeks ago. The Board felt that this picture should not be publicly exhibited in its original form. Drastic changes were suggested to the manufacturer with request that it be resubmitted to the Board for final action. This request has not yet been complied with. "Shackled Souls'' is therefore drawn to the attention of our correspondents. The following changes in the opinion should be made in the picture before it is allowed to be exhibited : (1) Eliminate any reference to the subtitles to any of the characters being white slavers. (2) By means of subtitles, show that Burton has become infatuated with Elsie through the description of Johnson, who introduces Burton to her. Change the character of Johnson from that of trafficer to that of simply a friend of Burton. In other words, eliminate the idea that this man is mixed up in any white slave traffic. (3) Eliminate the scene showing close np view in the hack, where Johnson discloses his identity. (4) Insert the subtitle to the effect thai Burton persuades Elsie to attend the garden party and supplies her with the necessary clothes.