(1953) Tags: Columbia
People v. Scribner’s Sons
Columbia Pictures Corp. v. National Broadcasting Co.
People v. Scribner’s Sons
Plaintiff Joseph A. Maggio claims the character Angelo Maggio, from the James Jones novel “From Here to Eternity” and the motion picture from Columbia was based on him without having first obtained written consent.
Judgment: These complaints against the defendants Charles Scribner’s Sons and Columbia Pictures Corporation are dismissed.
Columbia Pictures Corp. v. National Broadcasting Co.
This case represents another collision between the economic interests of the motion picture industry and the youthful and growing television industry.
In the year 1953 Columbia produced a motion picture based upon the James Jones novel, said motion picture being entitled “From Here To Eternity”. General release and publication in the United States of said motion picture commenced on September 1, 1953.
On September 12, 1953, NBC broadcast over a nationwide network of television stations owned by or affiliated with NBC a televised playlet or skit entitled “From Here To Obscurity”. The performance time of the playlet or skit “From Here To Obscurity” was approximately 20 minutes.
The playlet or skit “From Here To Obscurity” was telecast by NBC without the knowledge or consent of Columbia.
The playlet or skit “From Here To Obscurity” was intended to be and was a burlesque of the motion picture “From Here To Eternity”. Burlesque is a recognized form of literary art. In a burlesque, a part of the content is used to conjure up at least the general image of the original. This is a necessary element of burlesque. The writer of a burlesque therefore familiarizes himself with the original and uses more or less of the contents of the original in the creation of the burlesque.