PICTURE THEATRES SUPPLY

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 28 March 1935, Page 6

PICTURE THEATRES SUPPLY

ALLEGED BREACH OF CONTRACT. LEASE IN APPEAL COURT’. (By Te.irgrapn —T*rcss Association.! WELLINGTON, To-day. The case of British Dominions Films, Ltd., v. Dominion Picture Theatres Co., Ltd., was resumed in the Court of Appeal. Mr H. F. O’Leary, opening the ease for the appellant company yesterday, said that the real point at issue was that the respondent, Dominion Picture Theatres, Ltd., contended that the appellant was bound' to supply films over the full period of twelve months, whereas the appellant contended that it was only bound to supply such films as it actually released in New Zealand. He contended it did supply such films and that it was not bound to release films, even if it did have them. In the course of argument this morning Mr O’Leary, referring to the fact that the theatre was to be “AllBritish,” mentioned the difficulty of obtaining British “supports.” The Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers): “I suppose ‘Mickey Mouse’ is a support.” Counsel: “Yes, but not a British one. your Honour.” Mr O’Leary also mentioned that about six other companies were concerned in similar positions with his company, so the matter was of great importance to it.

Appearing for the resnondent company. Dominion Picture Theatres, Ltd., Mr West submitted that by the contract. appellants were under an obligation to provide a full programme for the period of the contract. He said that actually the appellants had the “playing time” of the theatre. The case is proceeding.