Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Jun 4, 1938

7 N.L.R.B. 662 (N.L.R.B. 1938)

In the Matter of METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIOS, and MOTION PIC-
TURE PRODUCERS ASSN., et al. and SCREEN WRITERS' GUILD, INC.
Cases Nos. R-402 to R-420, inclusive.Decided June 4, 1938
Motion Picture Production Industry-Investigation. of Representatives: con-
troversy concerning representation of employees: controversy concerning ap-
propriate unit ; employer ' s refusal to grant recognition of union--Employee:
screen writers, employees within meaning of the Act-Unit Appropriate for
Collective Bargaining : persons employed as screen writers by each employer,
excluding certain categories ; history of collective bargaining relations in in-
dustry-Contract : collective , for 5-year term, no bar to certification of repre-
sentatives ; individual contracts of employment , no bar to collective bargain-
ing-Representatives : eligibility to participate in choice : only those screen
writers actually employed considered as employees ; eligibility not limited by
length of employment or number of screen credits obtained ; screen writers as-
signed to other employers , to vote in unit of employer with whom they have
contracted-Election Ordered
Mr. William R. Walsh, for the Board.
Loeb, Walker & Loeb, by Mr. Milton H. Schwartz and Mr. Nathan
C. Finch, of Los Angeles, Calif., for M.G.M., Universal, Goldwyn,
Republic, United Artists Studio Corporation, and the Association.
Mr. Loyd Wright and Mr. Richard M. Goldwater, of Los An-
geles, Calif., for Selznick, Major Pictures, and Wanger Productions.
O'Mllelveny, Tuller ct Myers, by Mr. Walker K. Tuller, Mr. Homer
I. Mitchell, and Mr. Jackson W. Chance, of Los Angeles, Calif., for
Paramount.
Mr. Alfred Wright, of Los Angeles, Calif., for Fox Film.
Mr. Herbert Freston and Mr. Clarence M. Hanson, of Los An-
geles, Calif., for Warner.
Goldstone & Berger, by Mr. Leon Kaplan, of Los Angeles, Calif.,
for Grand National.
Mr. Sam Wolf, of Los Angeles, Calif., for Trem Carr and Mono-
gram.
Mr. Victor Ford Collins, Mr. Arnold M. Cannon, and Mr. William
Manns, of Los Angeles, Calif., for Hal Roach Studios.
Sw-amts and Tannenbaum, by Mr. Seymour P. Steinberg, of Los
Angeles, Calif., for Schulberg Pictures.
Mr. Gunther R. Lessing and Mr. Guy Knapp, of Los Angeles,
Calif., for Walt Disney Productions, Ltd.
662
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 663
Mitchell, Silberberg, Roth di Knupp, by Mr. Guy Knupp, of Los
Angeles, Calif., for RICO and Walt Disney Productions, Ltd.
Faries cC McDowell, by Mr. Leonard S. Janofsky, of Los Angeles,
Calif., for the Guild. ,
Mr. Neil S. McCarthy, of Los Angeles, Calif., for Screen Play-
wrights.
Mr. Henry W. Lehmann, of counsel to the Board.
DECISION
AND
DIRECTION OF ELECTION
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
On June 11, 1937, The Screen Writers' Guild of the Authors'
League of America, Inc., herein called the Guild, filed with the
Regional Director for the Twenty-first Region (Los Angeles, Cali-
fornia) 21 separate petitions alleging that questions affecting com-
merce had arisen concerning the representation of screen writers.
The Companies named in the petitions are, respectively, Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer Studios; Selznick International Pictures, Inc.;
United Artists Studio Corp.; Walter Wanger Productions, Inc.;
Samuel Goldwyn, Inc., of California; Republic Productions, Inc.;
Columbia Pictures Corp. Studios; Paramount Pictures, Inc.; RICO
Radio Pictures Inc. ; Universal Pictures Corp.; Twentieth Century-
Fox Film Corp.; Warner Bros. and First National West Coast
Studios;, Derr and Sullivan; Educational Studios Inc.; Grand Na-
tional Films; Trem Carr Pictures, Ltd.; Chadwick Productions;
Chesterfield Motion Picture Corp.; Major Pictures Corporation ;
Hal E. Roach Studios; B. P. Schulberg Pictures Inc.; and Darmour
Studio. The Motion Picture Producers Association, herein called
the Association, was named as a party in most of the petitions.
On July 12, 1937, the National Labor Relations Board, herein
called the Board, acting pursuant to Section 9 (c) of the Act, and
Article III, Section 3, and Article III, Section 10 (c) (2), of Na-
tional Labor Relations Board Rules and Regulations-Series 1, as
amended, ordered an investigation and authorized the Regional
Director to conduct it and to provide for an appropriate hearing
upon due notice, and further ordered that, for purposes of hearing,
i At the hearing it was stated by counsel for warner Bros that no motion picture
producer named First National West Coast Studios existed Inasmuch as no evidence
was offered with respect to any such company, the petition and amended petition in this
case are hereby amended by striking therefrom all reference to First National West Coast
Studios.
106701-38-vol vii-43
664
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
the cases be consolidated and that one record of the hearing be
made. On September 8, 1937, the Guild filed a similar petition with
the Regional Director relative to screen writers of Monogram Pro-
ductions Inc., and on September 13, 1937, it filed an additional pe-
tition relative to screen writers of Walt Disney Productions, Ltd.,a
such petition naming the Association, Motion Picture Producers and
Distributors of America, Inc., and Pat Casey as interested parties.
On September 13 and 14, 1937, the Guild filed with the Regional
Director amended petitions in each of the cases except those relating
to Walt Disney Productions, Ltd., Derr and Sullivan, Educational
Studios, Inc., Chadwick Productions, and Chesterfield Motion Pic-
ture Corporation. On September 14, 1937, the Board issued orders.
permitting the Guild to withdraw the petitions involving the four
Companies last mentioned. The amended petitions amplified and
otherwise changed the allegations contained in the original peti-
tions ; added as interested parties in each of the cases Motion Pic-
ture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc. and Pat Casey;
and made certain other changes and additions. On September 21,
1937, the Board, acting pursuant to Section 9 (c) of the Act, and
Article III, Section 3, and Article III, Section 10 (c)' (2), of Na-
tional Labor Relations Board Rules and Regulations-Series 1, as
amended, ordered an investigation in the two cases involving Mono-
grain Productions Inc. and Walt Disney Productions, Ltd., and
authorized the Regional Director to conduct it and to provide for
an appropriate hearing upon due notice, and further ordered that,
for the purposes of hearing, these two cases be consolidated with the
consolidated cases entitled "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Mo-
tion Picture Producers Assn. et al."
Several of the Companies filed answers and motions to dismiss,
wherein they denied that the petitions set forth questions affecting
commerce; denied that screen writers are employees within the mean-
ing of the Act; asserted that each Company constitutes a separate and
distinct appropriate unit; raised certain constitutional objections to,
the proceedings; and pleaded as a bar to the proceedings a written
agreement entered into between certain of the Companies and Screen
Playwrights, Inc., herein called the Screen Playwrights, which had
been named in the amended petitions as claiming to represent screen
writers. Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc.,
the Association, Pat Casey, and United Artists Studio Corporation, a
Company named in two of the petitions, each filed a motion to dismiss
wherein it was denied that such association, corporation, or individual,
as the case may be, is in the business of producing motion pictures
2 Walt Disney Productions, Ltd, is incorrectly designated as Walt Disney Enterprises•
in the petition, which is hereby amended accordingly.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 665
or employs screen writers. In addition, the Association and United
Artists Studio Corporation each filed an answer, in substance, making
the same denials and allegations contained in the answers filed by the
companies and in the various motions to dismiss. Screen Playwrights
filed "objections to the proceedings and a motion to dismiss" and an
answer, denying various allegations contained in the amended peti-
tions, denying the jurisdiction of the Board, and raising constitutional
objections to Section 9 of the Act.3
On September 17, 1937, the Regional Director issued a notice of
hearing and on September 27, 1937, an order postponing the hearing,
copies of each of which were duly served upon each of the Companies
involved in these proceedings, upon Motion Picture Producers and
Distributors of America, Inc., upon the Association, upon Pat Casey,
upon the Guild, upon the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage
Employees, upon Lester Hardy, an officer of the Screen Advertisers'
Guild, and upon Screen Playwrights.4
Pursuant to the notices of hearing and postponement, a hearing
was held in Los Angeles, California, on September 30, October 1, 4,
5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, and 21, 1937, before William R.
Ringer, the Trial Examiner duly designated by the Board. The
Board, each company,5 the Association, the Guild, and Screen Play-
wrights were represented by counsel and participated in the hearing.
Full opportunity to be heard, to examine and cross-examine witnesses,
and to introduce evidence bearing on the issues was afforded all
parties.
For the purpose of expediting the presentation of testimony, it
was stipulated at the hearing that each Company there represented
should be deemed to have joined in every objection or motion made on
behalf of any other Company except where a particular Company
specifically indicated that it did not desire to join in any such objection
or motion.
At the commencement of the hearing, counsel for the Screen Play-
wrights renewed its various objections and its motion to dismiss the
petitions. The motion to dismiss was joined in by all the Companies.
The motion was overruled. A written motion to dismiss the petitions
in so far as they relate to Pat Casey was presented. Objections were
3 At the hearing, the parties by stipulation waived the requirements of service of a copy
of each motion and answer upon the other parties to the proceeding with respect to
motions to dismiss and answers filed by Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of
America, Inc., the Association, Pat Casey, and United Artists Studio Corporation, to
answers filed by the Companies, and to the "objections to the proceedings and motion
to dismiss," and the answer filed by the Screen Playwrights.
4 At the hearing, counsel for Grand National Films, Inc., and for Walt Disney Produc-
tions, Ltd, stated that these Companies had not received service However, each counsel
agreed to waive service with respect to the Company represented by him.
5 Except Darmour, Inc.
666
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
raised to the orders of consolidation and motions were presented to
vacate such orders. All such objections were overruled and the
motions to vacate denied.
Several objections to the introduction of evidence and to the in-
troduction as exhibits of the petition and other formal papers relat-
ing to the case wherein Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios was named
were made. All these objections were overruled. Although the
record is not clear, counsel for the various parties apparently in-
tended to stipulate that these objections would be deemed applicable
to the formal papers in each of the other cases in this proceeding,
and they shall so be considered. The Trial Examiner admitted all
such formal papers as exhibits in the proceeding.
Following the introduction of the formal papers, counsel for the
Companies and counsel for the Screen Playwrights again presented
their motions to dismiss the proceedings and their objections to the
introduction of any evidence with the understanding that such mo-
tions and objections be deemed to have been presented prior to the
introduction of any evidence. The Trial Examiner overruled the
objections to the introduction of any evidence and reserved ruling on
the motions to dismiss. At the close of the presentation of evidence
by counsel for the Board and again at the close of the petitioner's
case, motions to dismiss were made on behalf of the Companies, the
Association, the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of Amer-
ica, Inc., Pat Casey, and the Screen Playwrights. These motions
were denied by the Trial Examiner. At the hearing, counsel for the
Screen Playwrights made a motion that its answer be amended by
substituting the term "producer" for the term "employer" wherever
the term "employer" appears therein. The Trial Examiner granted
this motion.
The Board has reviewed the rulings of the Trial Examiner upon
the various motions and objections to the admission of evidence.
Except as hereinafter otherwise specifically indicated, the rulings
are hereby affirmed.
It was stipulated at the hearing that the Motion Picture Producers
and Distributors of America, Inc., and United Artists Studio Cor-
poration do not employ screen writers and no evidence was intro-
duced at the hearing relative to these parties. The petitions in so far
as they relate to these parties are, therefore, hereby dismissed. It
was also stipulated that the Association and Pat Casey do not employ
screen writers. In view of this stipulation and the facts discussed
in Section VII below, the petitions in so far as they relate to these
parties are likewise dismissed. At the hearing, Walt Disney Pro-
ductions, Ltd. and the Guild, the petitioner, entered into a written
stipulation asking that the petition involving Walt Disney Produc-
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 667
tions, Ltd. be dismissed 6 and no objection thereto was raised by any
party. The petitions in so far as they relate to Walt Disney Produc-
tions, Ltd. are, therefore, hereby dismissed.
Except as indicated above, all written motions to dismiss filed by
the Companies in these proceedings and all motions to dismiss pre-
sented at the hearing as to which the Trial Examiner reserved ruling
are hereby denied. During the hearing, the Trial Examiner did not
rule with respect to the admission of several exhibits. All such ex-
hibits as to which no rulings were made are hereby admitted into
the record. It is not entirely clear from the record whether the
Trial Examiner ruled upon the admission of registration statements
and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
which were offered in evidence as exhibits. In any event, such state-
ments and reports are hereby admitted into the record and are
marked with the exhibit numbers whereby they were identified at
the hearing.
Pursuant to notice, a hearing was held before the Board on De-
cember 1, 1937, in Washington, D. C., for the purpose of oral argu-
ment. In addition to the parties , counsel for the Screen Directors'
Guild was granted leave to appear before the Board as amicus curiae.
Paramount Pictures, Inc., the Guild, Screen Playwrights, and the
Screen Directors ' Guild each filed briefs to which the Board has
given due consideration.
On April 20, 1938, Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., filed with the
Board a petition requesting that the record in the consolidated pro-
ceedings be reopened to show a change in name of The Screen Writ-
ers' Guild of the Authors' League of America, Inc., to Screen Writers'
Guild, Inc. ; to show that the officers , directors , and members of
Screen Writers ' Guild, Inc., are the same, respectively , as the officers,
directors, and members of The Screen Writers' Guild of the Authors'
League of America, Inc. ; and to show the incorporation of the
Guild and the adoption of a new constitution and bylaws by the
Authors' League of America, Inc., and further requesting that if
the Board directs that an election be held, the name Screen Writers'
Guild, Inc., appear on the ballot in lieu of The Screen Writers' Guild
of the Authors' League of America, Inc.
Certain of the Companies filed answers wherein they denied the
allegations set forth in the petition of Screen Writers' Guild, Inc.,
and requested that such petition be dismissed for the reasons that
Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., is an entity separate and distinct from
The Screen Writers' Guild of the Authors' League of America, Inc.,
and that such newly established organization has not filed a petition
0 Board Exhibit No. 115-A.
(668 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
with the Board in the proceeding pursuant to Article III, Section 1,
of National Labor Relations Board Rules and Regulations-Series 1,
as amended.
On April 30, 1938, the Board issued an order reopening the record
for the introduction of further evidence relative to the matters cov-
ered in the petition filed by Screen Writers' Guild, Inc. On April
26, 1938, the Regional Director issued an amended notice of such
further hearing to be held in Los Angeles, California, on May 5,
1938. Copies of the amended notice of hearing were duly served
upon all parties to the proceeding. Pursuant to the amended notice,
a hearing was held on May 5, 1938, in Los Angeles, California, before
Alvin J. Rockwell, the Trial Examiner duly designated by the Board.
Appearances were entered on behalf of the Board, each Company, the
Association, Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., and Screen Playwrights.
Full opportunity to be heard, to examine and-cross-examine witnesses,
and to introduce evidence bearing on the issues was afforded all
parties.
At the commencement of the hearing, counsel for the Companies
objected to the introduction of the formal papers relative to this
hearing as exhibits and to the reopening of the record in the con-
solidated proceedings. The Trial Examiner overruled both objec-
tions. Counsel for the Companies also raised certain objections
,which) in substance, constituted a renewal of objections made in
the previous hearing to the introduction of any evidence. The
Trial Examiner reserved ruling thereon. Such objections are here-
by overruled. At the close of the hearing, counsel for Screen
Writers' Guild, Inc., moved that the petitions in the consolidated
proceeding be amended to conform to the proof, and specifically
that the name of the petitioner be changed to Screen Writers' Guild,
Inc. Counsel for Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., also moved that if
an election be directed, the name Screen ' Writers' Guild, Inc., be
designated on the ballot in lieu of The Screen Writers' Guild of the
Authors' League of America, Inc. The Trial Examiner reserved
ruling on both these motions. For reasons set forth hereinafter,
these motions are granted. The board has reviewed the rulings of
the Trial Examiner upon the various motions and objections to the
admission of evidence. The rulings are hereby affirmed.
A memorandum brief relating to the issues raised in the petition
of Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., to reopen the record and receive fur-
ther evidence was filed with the Board. Screen Writers' Guild, Inc.,
likewise filed a brief relating to such issues. The Board has given
due consideration to both briefs.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 669
Upon the entire record in the case, the Board makes the following :
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY 7
About 70 per cent of all motion pictures shown throughout the
world are produced in the United States. The industry centers in
Los Angeles County, California, where more than 90 per cent of the
motion pictures produced in the United States are made. The
Biennial Census for 1935 issued by the United States Bureau of the
Census in the Department of Commerce 8 entitled "Motion Pictures,"
states that in 1935, 27,417 people were engaged in the production of
motion pictures and that of these 23,179 or 84.5 per cent were em-
ployed in Los Angeles County, California, where Hollywood is
located. The 1935 pay roll of the producers in Los Angeles County
-was $95,725,167. In the same period, the total cost of production
vas $165,064,054.9
Films are distributed through a system of exchanges or distribut-
ing offices. Most of the distributing companies have their main
offices in New York City with exchanges located in about 35 prin-
cipal cities of the United States. There are about 400 such ex-
changes. Prints are sent from the laboratory either to the dis-
tributing company or directly to the exchanges of the distributing
company. The distributing companies through their exchanges
lease or rent the film to the local exhibitors. After an exhibitor has
displayed a film to the public, the print is returned to the exchange
for redistribution to other theatres. The same print is used many
times and may frequently cross State lines as it is leased and shipped
to one exhibitor after the other. For the most part, producers have
their own distribution facilities or distribute their films through
producers having such facilities. Similarly, producers have acquired
control of theatres as outlets for the exhibition of their pictures so
that integration has affected all three branches of the motion picture
industry-production, distribution, and exhibition.
7 In connection with the findings in this section, the Board has in part taken note of
certain facts and statistics contained in the International Motion Picture Almanac, 1917-
1938, a trade publication , which annually compiles information relating to the motion
picture industry.
'Board Exhibit No. 306 Published in December 1936, this was the most recent censris
available at the time of the hearing in this proceeding.
'The International Motion Picture Almanac , 1937-1938 , states that for '1935-1936
the motion picture companies spent $135 ,000,000 in the production of motion pictures.
Whatever the exact expenditure may be, it is clear that large sums are annually spent
in motion picture production and that the investment in the industry is vast.
670 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
There are more than 18,000 motion picture theatres in the United
States,10 and these have a weekly attendance of from 83,000,000 to
88,000,000 persons. Annually, these motion picture theatres receive
from $900,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 for admissions.
American films also have a large foreign market. Approximately
40 per cent of the revenues received by film producers are derived
from foreign sources.
Although the steps taken in the production of a motion picture
vary in detail, they may be briefly summarized as follows : In the
fir,-pt instance, a story must be selected. The selection may be an
original story expressly written for screen purposes by a writer on
the staff of the producer. It may be an original purchased from a
writer not employed by the producer, or an original written ' by a
free-lance writer especially hired for the purpose of writing the par-
ticular ' story. The selection may be a story taken from current
publications or literature. Producers employ staffs of readers whose
function it is to cull different publications and to make synopses of
material which they find in the course of their reading. The synopsis
is submitted to the story editor who supervises the work of the read-
ers. If the story editor believes that a story contains material suit-
able for screen purposes, he recommends its purchase to the producer.
The producer in turn examines the synopsis and the story, and as a
result of his examination may purchase the rights to the story. The
prices of stories vary, and as much as $100,000 or more may be paid
for a single story.
The producer assigns the story to a writer to prepare a treatment 11
or a draft. Writers generally work under the general direction of
the producer or an associate producer. During the course of the
writing the producer and the writer may have several conferences
as the result of which changes may be made. Frequently several
drafts are prepared before the script is in final form. A director
may be assigned to a story before the final screen play is drafted.
However, no general rule is followed, and the director may not be
assigned to the story until it has assumed final form. Not uncom-
monly, the director works closely with the writer. He may even
write a portion of the play and receive screen credit 12 for his con-
tributions to the script. The complete script contains the dialogue,
10 The Year Book of Motion Pictures ( 1937 ), another trade publication , indicates that
of the 18,818 theatres in the United States, 953 are located in Cahlornia
"The treatment is the outline of the plot , characters , and some of the situations of a
contemplated photoplay. A treatment may be very brief or it may be longer and indicate
some of the dialogue
12 Screen credit refers to the reproduction on the title card of the names of the screen
writers who have made material contributions to the particular screenplay.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 671
the themes, and the continuity, and describes all of the action in
the play and the sound effects.
After the script is completed, it is transmitted to the various de-
partments having a function in the production of the play, such as
the art, construction, paint, and property departments, to enable them
to estimate what is required of the respective departments in the pro-
duction of the picture. A budget meeting attended by the director
and representatives of all the department's concerned is then held at
which estimates are made of the costs anticipated in the picture's
production. At this meeting, the director determines the properties
required, the number of people needed in different scenes, and other
factors upon which the cost depends. The writer usually is not
present at the budget meeting.
The cast is chosen, and crews, such as a camera crew, a grip and
electrical crew, a hairdresser, a make-up artist, assistant directors, are
assigned to the production of the picture. Then the "shooting" or
filming of the picture begins. Throughout the "shooting" of the.
scenes, the director keeps with him the script which serves as a blue-
print of the screen play. To the script, the director adds notes and
makes such minor changes as may appear necessary. Thus he may
improvise dialogue on occasion. Ordinarily, the writer has com-
pleted his work on the play when the final draft of the script is ap-
proved. However, if fundamental changes appear to be necessary,
the original writer or another writer may be asked to make the neces-
sary revisions or additions. The filming takes place on the studio lot,
or, if necessary, scenes may be photographed "on location." Crews
are sent to other States and even abroad in order to obtain a required
background. Occasionally the writer may accompany the crew "on
location."
At the end of each day, the negative which has been filmed that
day is developed at the laboratory and prints are made. The scenes
taken the previous day are exhibited to the producer and other execu-
tives to examine the quality of the work thus far performed. When
the "shooting" of the picture is completed, the film is edited and the
-necessary inserts or titles provided. A final cutting is made and the
negative is sent to the laboratory. During the "shooting," sound is
separately recorded on film. It is necessary to make a composite print
of both the sound film and the photographic film. As a result of pre-
views of the picture, changes and additions may be made to overcome
deficiencies revealed at the preview. If fundamental changes are
required at this stage, a writer-may be called in to make them. After
a final cutting, the picture is complete and ready for distribution.
At the hearing, a director testified that he uses about 300,000 or
350,000 feet of film in making a picture. On certain pictures, the
amount of film used may exceed-this figure.
672 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
It is to be noted in connection with the foregoing discussion and
in connection with the business of the Companies set forth in detail
in Section II herein, that although the raw material cost embodied
in the print or negative which is sent across State lines may be very
small, its great commercial value consists in the fact that it is one
of a limited number of such prints or negatives on which are recorded
for presentation to the public the result of all the expenditure which
has gone into the making of a motion picture. The print or negative,
actually is the embodiment of these costs.
H. THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANIES
Loew's Incorporated,13 Selznick International Pictures, Inc., Walter
Wanger Productions, Inc., Samuel Goldwyn, Inc., Ltd., Republic
Productions, Inc., Columbia Pictures Corporation of California, Ltd.,
Paramount Pictures, Inc., RKO Radio Pictures, Inc., Universal Pic-
tures Company, Inc., Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation,
'Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., Grand National Films, Inc., Trem Carr
Pictures, Ltd., Major Pictures Corporation, Hal Roach Studios, Inc.,
B. P. Schulberg Pictures, Inc., Monogram Productions, Inc., and Dar-
mour, Inc., all named in this proceeding, herein called the Com-
panies,14 are engaged in the production of motion pictures. The
studios of the Companies are located in Los Angeles County,
California.
A. Loew's Incorporated is a Delaware corporation. As of Decem-
ber 31, 1937, it took over and continued all of the motion picture pro-
ducing activities of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation.15 The facts
pertaining to the operations of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation
prior to December 31, 1937, are, therefore, relevant in regard to the
present activities of Loew's Incorporated.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation, herein referred to as M. G. M.,
purchased its film from three distributing companies located in Cali-
fornia. These three companies, J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Smith & Aller,
Ltd., and G. King Charney, are the exclusive distributors, respec-
tively, of Eastman Kodak film manufactured in Rochester, New York,
Dupont film manufactured in Parlin, New Jersey, and Agfa film
manufactured in Binghamton, New York. Both J. E. Brulatour,
'a The amended petition refers to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation. However, on
December 31, 1937, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation transferred all of its assets and
liabilities to Loew's Incorporated, and became an inactive corporation. Subsequent to
the bearing, all parties stipulated in writing that "Loew's incorporated did, as of December
31, 1937, assume control of, take over, and continue all of the motion picture producing
activities of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation," and agreed that Loew' s Incorporated
be substituted for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation in this consolidated proceeding.
14 As hereinafter indicated, the names of some of the companies were inaccurately given
In the amended petitions. The names as they appear above are the correct names.
'- See footnote 13.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 673
Inc., and Smith & Aller, Ltd., carry inventories of film in their
California warehouses. Agfa film is shipped to a California ware-
house of Agfa and there purchased by C. King Charney in amounts
determined by the sales requirements of that company. Officers of
the three distributors testified at the hearing as to the amount of film
which each sold to the Companies. The amount of film, measured in
feet, bought by M. G. M. from these distributors, during the periods
of time indicated, is as follows : 16
Distributing company Type and amount of filmmeasured in feet
Period of time during which the purchases
were made
155,700, 000 positive ---------
J. E. Brulatour , Inc-__________ 7,500, 000 negative _________
9, 960, 000 Canadian--------
August 1, 1936 , to August 1, 1937.
Smith & Aller , Ltd____________ 19,415,623 positive---------1,056,249 negative-.------- }September 1936 , to Aueust-30, 1937
C King Charney______________ 28, 400 infra -red ______-__ September 1, 1936, to September 1, 1937.
Among the purchases of M. G. M. and of the other Companies are
other articles purchased from concerns located in California whose
stock of such articles either entirely or to a substantial extent origi-
nates outside of California. Articles purchased in substantial quan-
tities by M. G. M. from distributing companies, 75 per cent or more
of whose stock of such articles originates in States other than Cali-
fornia, are Douglas fir, white and sugar pine, and hardwood from
the Globe Lumber Company, hardware from the Union Hardware &
Metal Company and from the California Hardware Company, and
theatrical and drapery fabrics from Dazians, Inc.17 M. G. ^M. also has
bought photographic supplies from Eastman Kodak Stores, Inc. The
manager of this company testified that all the Eastman Kodak Com-
pany supplies which his company sold came from Rochester, New
York, and that, to his knowledge, all other material sold by his com-
pany is purchased from supply firms in the East, mostly in Chicago,
Illinois, and New York City.-
As already indicated, crews of actors and technicians are not infre-
quently sent from the studios in Hollywood, California, "on location,"
for the purpose of filming all or parts of various motion pictures.
Crews may be sent out of California. In its last fiscal year, M. G. M.
sent crews to Florida, Oregon, Kentucky, Arizona, Utah, Maryland,
New York, and Mexico.
"The information set forth herein with respect to the origin of the film purchased by
M. G. Al likewise applies to the film purchased by the other Companies from these same
distributors.
i°The various Companies purchase these and other articles from many other distiib-
uting companies located in California . The record does not , however , disclose the ultimate
source of the articles carried in stock by such distributing companies.
is The above-named distributing companies make sales of the same articles to others of
the Companies . Articles sold to such other Companies by these distributing companies
likewise come from stock all or a substantial amount of which is derived from States
other than California.
674 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
During the fiscal year ending September 1, 1937, M. G. M. spent
approximately $29,500,000 in the production of motion pictures. It
produced 41 feature-length pictures and 43 short subjects. During
the fiscal year, it made 11,230 prints of feature-length pictures of
which 10,223 were shipped out of the State of California. It also
made 7,547 prints of short subjects of which 6,872 were shipped out
of California. Its prints were distributed by Loew's Incorporated.
B. Selznick International Pictures, Inc., herein referred to as Selz-
nick Pictures, is a Delaware corporation, having its studios in Culver
City, California. Selznick Pictures rents the greater part of its equip-
ment from RKO Radio Pictures, Inc., at the rate of $125,000 per year.
It also subleases 40 acres of land from RKO Radio Pictures, Inc., at a
rental of $4,292.50 per year. It owns equipment valued at about
$115,000. °
During its last fiscal year, Selznick Pictures purchased $16,228.94
worth of film from J. E. Brulatour, Inc., and $1,382.92 worth of film
from Smith & Aller, Ltd. It also purchased $111,003.02 worth of
film from the Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation, located in Los
Angeles, California, which obtains its film from the Eastman Kodak
Company located in New York. Representatives of J. E. Brulatour,
Inc., Smith & Aller, Ltd., and C. King Charney testified as follows
with respect to the sales made by their respective companies to
Selznick Pictures :
Distributing company
Type and amount of film
measured in feet
Period of time during which the purchases
were made
J. E. Brulatour, Inc-----------
Smith & Aller, Ltd ------------
J363,000 positive-------------
l 64, 000 negative------------
156, 000 positive-------------
l 1,000 iegative-------------
}August 1, 1936, to August 1, 1937.
}September 1936, to August 30, 1937.
C. King Charney-------------- 800infra-red ------------- September 1, 1936. to September 1, 1937.
Selznick Pictures also has purchased substantial quantities of the
following articles : Hardware from the Union Hardware & Metal
Company and from California Hardware Company; and theatrical
and drapery fabrics from Dazians, Inc.
During its past fiscal year Selznick Pictures produced four feature-
length films. The total cost of production for this period was $4,726,-
!966.92. Prints of the films are made at a laboratory selected by Selz-
nick Pictures which may be either inside or outside of California.
At such laboratory, 236 release prints for each film are delivered to
United Artists Corporation which has the prints shipped to its
exchanges and distributes them throughout the world. The gross
receipts are divided between Selznick Pictures and United Artists
Corporation on a percentage basis. During the past fiscal year,
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 675
approximately 800 prints of pictures produced by Selznick Pictures
were shipped out of California.
C. Walter Wanger Productions, Inc., herein referred to as Wanger
Productions, is a California corporation. Wanger Productions rents
the equipment which it needs in the production of motion pictures,
such as building materials used in set construction and fabrics for
drapery and furniture covering, from United Artists Studio Cor-
poration.
Officers of J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Smith & Aller, Ltd., and C. King
Charney testified that these companies sold film in the following
amounts to Wanger Productions :
Distributing company
Type and amount of film
measured in feet
Period of time during which the purchases
were made
1. E. Brulatour, Inc----------_ 473, 000 negative------------- August 1, 1936, to August 1, 1937.
Smith & Aller, Ltd ------------ 254,485 negative------------- September 1936, to August 30, 1937.
C. King Charney-------------- 2, 200 infra-red ------------- September 1, 1936, to September 1, 1937.
Information furnished by Wanger Productions indicates that dur-
ing its last fiscal year, Wanger Productions purchased 788,005 feet
of picture film, 2,010,000 feet of sound film, and 449,718 feet of techni-
color film in Hollywood, California, from sellers referred to as
"Eastman" and "Dupont." Wanger Productions also purchased
photographic supplies from Eastman Kodak Stores, Inc. at a cost of
$1,718.75.
Wanger Productions' total cost of production during its last fiscal
year amounted to $3,366,388.51. During this period, it produced six
feature-length pictures, and shipped six feature-length negatives
and prints out of California. It appears that after Wanger Pro-
ductions has completed a photoplay, it selects a laboratory which may
be either within or without California. After the prints of the pic-
ture have been made at such laboratory, 236 of them are there de-
livered to United Artists Corporation which ordrs the laboratory to
ship the prints to its exchanges throughout the country. United Artists
distributes the prints all over the world and shares in the gross
receipts with Wanger Productions on a percentage basis.
D. Samuel Goldwyn., Inc., Ltd.,19 herein referred to as Goldwyn,.
is a California corporation. It has a subsidiary, United Artists
Studio Corporation, from which it rents equipment. During its last
fiscal year it purchased film amounting in value to $71,974.21 from
J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Smith & Aller, Ltd., and C. King Charney.
i9 The name of the producing company was inaccurately given in the petition as
Samuel Goldwyn, Inc., which is the name of the parent corporation. The correct name
of the producing company is Samuel Goldwyn, Inc., Ltd.
676 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Officers of the three distributing companies testified that the com-
panies sold film in the following amounts to Goldwyn :
Distributing company Type and amount of filmmeasured in feet
Period of time during which the pur-
chases were made
J E Brulatour , Inc___________ 210,000 negative ____________ August 1, 1936 , to August 1, 1937.
Smith & Aller , Ltd____________ 1,398,965 negative ___________ September 1936 , to August 30, 1937.
C. King Charney______________ 38,300 infra-red___________ September 1, 1936 , to September 1, 1937.
Goldwyn also has purchased photographic supplies from Eastman
Kodak Stores, Inc.
During the last fiscal year Goldwyn produced six pictures. It
shipped four negatives out of California but no prints. Its prints
are distributed by the United Artists Corporation with which
Goldwyn divides any profits on a percentage basis. The total cost
of production for the fiscal year ending July 3, 1937, amounted to
$3,460,645.66.
E. Republic Productions, Inc., herein referred to as Republic, a
New York corporation, is a subsidiary of the Republic Pictures
Corporation of Delaware. Republic does not own any real estate
but rents the space which it requires in the production of motion
pictures.
During its last fiscal year, Republic purchased $119,519.83 worth
of film from J. E. Brulatour, Inc., and C. King Charney. Officers
of these two companies and of Smith & Aller, Ltd. testified that
these distributing companies sold film in the following amounts to
Republic :
Distributing company Type and amount of filmmeasured in feet w
Period of time during which the purchases
were made
J E Brulatour , Inc___________
Smith & Aller , Ltd____________
C. King Charney--------------
13,590 ,000 positive ____________
1,930.000 negative____________
11,115,000 positive____________
1 105,000 negative -----------
11,385 i nfra-red _ __________
645,845 superpan ___________
}August 1, 1936, to August 1, 1937
}
September 1936, to August 30, 1937.
September 1, 1936 , to September 1, 1937.
Republic also has purchased-substantial quantities of the following
articles : Hardware from the Union Hardware & Metal Company ;
theatrical and drapery fabrics from Dazians, Inc.; and photographic
supplies from Eastman Kodak Stores, Inc.
From October 1, 1936, to September 30, 1937, Republic spent
$2,019,483.72 in the 'production of motion pictures. During its last
fiscal year, it produced 42 feature-length pictures and 3 serials.
Forty-two negatives of the feature-length pictures and 3 negatives
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 677
of the serials were sent out of California.20 The negatives made
by Republic are sent to Republic Pictures Corporation in'New York
City. This company has distribution agreements with franchise
holders located in various distribution centers in the United States.
The franchise holders distribute the prints on a percentage basis.
F. Columbia Pictures Corporation of California, Ltd.,21 herein
referred to as 'Columbia, is a California corporation. During its
last fiscal year, Columbia purchased 95,610,310 feet of film from
six distributors located in Los Angeles, California. Officers of J.
E. Brulatour, Inc., Smith & Aller, Ltd., and C. King Charney testi-
fied that these companies sold film in the following amounts to
Columbia :
Distributing company Type and amount of filmmeasured in feet
Period of time during which the purchases
were made
68,308,000 positiv
J. E. Brulatour , Inc___________ 3,737,000 negativ } August 1, 1936 , to August 1, 1937.
10,175,000 Canadian ......---
JSmith & Aller , Ltd____________ 2,385 ,803 -----------
21,000 infra-red
September 1936, to August 30, 1937
l
C. King Charney ______________ p2,064,000 suerpan__________
1
}September 1, 1936 , to September 1, 1937
16,516,000 positi ve___________
Columbia also has made substantial purchases of the following arti-
cles : Hardware from Union Hardware & Metal Company and from
the California Hardware Company ; theatrical and drapery `fabrics
from Dazians, Inc.; and photographic supplies from Eastman Kodak
'Stores, inc.
During the fiscal year ending June 26, 1937, Columbia spent $8,-
572.251.85 in the production of motion pictures. During the same
period, it produced films of 47 feature-length pictures and of 40
short subjects. Eleven thousand prints and negatives of the feature-
length pictures and 7,628 prints and negatives of-short subjects were
shipped out of California. All of Columbia's prints are distributed
by Columbia Pictures Corporation, a New York corporation, having
its principal offices in New York City.
G. Paramount Pictures, Inc.,22 herein referred to as Paramount,
is a New York corporation. During its last fiscal year, Paramount
p Board Exhibit No. 149 from which the information was obtained makes reference to
both punts and negatives From other evidence it appears , however, that only negatives
are sent out of the State of California
21 The title of the amended petition also named Columbia Pictures Corporation a New
York corporation , which is engaged in the distribution of motion pictures Columbia
Pictures Corporation owns all of the capital stock of Columbia Pictures Corporation of
California, Ltd.
22 The amended petition named both Paramount Pictures , Inc, and Paramount Pro-
ductions , Inc Inasmuch as Paramount Productions , Inc, appears to have been merged
with Paramount Pictures , Inc, within the past year , and no longer exists, the amended
petition is hereby amended by striking therefrom all reference to "Paramount Pro-
ductions, Inc."
678 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
purchased $1,135,542.66 worth of film from J. E. Brulatour, Inc.,
$154,341.18 worth of film from Smith & Aller, Ltd., and $1,058.26
worth of film from Agfa Ansco Corporation. The record does not
disclose the state of origin of the film purchased from Agfa Ansco
Corporation. Officers of J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Smith & Aller, Ltd.,
and C. King Charney testified that these companies sold film in the
following amounts to Paramount :
Distributing company Type and amount of filmmeasured in feet
Period of time during which the purchases
were made
28,511,000 positive___________
J. E Brulatour, Inc___________
Smith & Aller, Ltd____________
{ 4,768,000 negative _____
l 3,524,000 Canadian_________
2,961,171 positive___________
}August 1, 1936, to August 1, 1937
1937tember 1936 to Au ust 30JJJ S1. 2,101,323 negative___________
, g ,} ep
C. King Charney______________ J 123,000 infra-red___________
8,200 superpan__-_______ September 1, 1936 , to September 1, 1937
Paramount has purchased the following articles in substantial
quantities : Douglas fir, white and sugar pine, and hardwood from
the Globe Lumber Company, hardware from the Union Hardware
& Metal Company and from the California Hardware Company;
theatrical and drapery fabrics from Dazians, Inc.; and photographic
supplies from Eastman Kodak Stores, Inc.23
During its last fiscal year, it sent crews to film pictures or parts
of pictures "on location." In the case of one picture, a crew was
sent to Illinois, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio, for
the purpose of taking transparency background "shots." Other
crews were sent to Montana, New Mexico, New York, Wyoming, and
Panama.
In its fiscal year ending January 2, 1937, Paramount spent $19,-
910,126.10 in producing full-length feature films and $137,164.89
in producing films of short subjects. In that period, it produced 45
feature-length films and 8 films of short subjects. Forty, nine nega-
tive and 9,720 positive prints of feature-length films and 8 negatives
of the short-subject films were shipped out of California. Para-
mount's pictures are distributed in the United States and in foreign
countries through Paramount's exchanges and those of its sub-
siclicirv. Paramount Pictures Distributing Co., Inc. In a registra-
'3Information supplied by Paramount indicates that of $25`0.434 80 spent for building
mateiials on set construction during its last fiscal year, articles aggregating $254,592 51
in value, or 98 16 per cent of the total, were purchased from vendors located in Caa-
fornia' that of $10,000 spent for fabrics for drapery, draperies , and furniture covering,
articles aggregating $9,630 33 in value, or 96 30 per cent of the total were purchased
from vendors located in California ; that of $56,799 86 spent for costumes and materials
for costumes , articles aggiegating $48,377 64 in value, or 85 17 per cent of the total,
were purchased from vendors located in California ; and that it purchased all of its
chemicals, amounting to $107,911 27 in value, from vendors located in California.
DECISIONS AND OI:DERS 679
tion statement fled with the Securities and Exchange Commission
by Paramount on December 28, 1936, it is stated that Paramount's
film exchanges "are located in the principal cities in the United
States and Canada and in many of the principal cities throughout
the world." Subsidiaries of Paramount also, operate 569 motion
picture theatres, as of October 3, 1936, of which 372 are located in
the United States, 178 in Canada, and 19^ in other foreign countries.
H. RICO Radio Pictures, Inc., herein referred to as RKO, is a
Delaware corporation. In its last fiscal year, which corresponds
approximately to the calendar year 1936, RKO purchased 6,265,800
feet of positive film and 4,809,281 feet of negative film from J. E.
Brulatour, Inc., and from Smith & Aller, Ltd. The total cost of the
film which it purchased was $259,164.19. Officers of the two above-
named distributing companies and of C. King Charney testified that
these companies sold film in the following amounts to RKO:
Distributing company Type and amount of filmmeasured in feet
Period of time during which the purchases
were made
J. E Brulatour , Inc___________ 1 355,000 positive ____________,5,570,00,: negative ____________ }August 1, 1936, to August 1, 1937.
Smith & Aller, Ltd____________ 17,283,498 positive --_________,l 262,852 negative____________ )September 1936, to August 30. 1937.
C King Charney _____ 23,393 infra -red ___________ September 1, 1936, to September 1, 1937.
RKO has purchased substantial quantities of the following arti-
cles: Hardware from the Union Hardware & Metal Company and
from the California Hardware Company; theatrical and drapery
fabrics from Dazians, Inc. ; and photographic supplies from East-
man Kodak Stores, Inc.24 RKO also has purchased a substantial
quantity of 'glass from W. P. Fuller & Co., located in California,
which obtains 85 per cent of its stock of glass from Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.25
In its last fiscal year, RKO spent $10,355,292 in the production of
motion pictures. In that period, 38 feature-length films and 24 films
of short subjects were produced. Thirty-eight negatives and 31
prints of the feature-length films and 24 negatives of the films of
short subjects were shipped out of California. RKO distributes its
pictures in the United States and in some foreign countries through
its own distribution department and system of exchanges. In other for-
24 Information supplied by RICO indicates that of its purchases of fabrics for drapery,
draperies, and furniture covering, $4000 worth was bought directly in New York City
and the remainder , amounting to $15,36:5540, from concerns located in Los Angeles, Cali-
fornia ; and that of its purchases of costumes and material for costumes , approximately
$10,000 was bought in New York City and the remainder , amounting to $92,425 60, in
Los An ^e1es, California
^ Glars sold by W P. Fuller & Co. to others of the Companies likewise comes from
stock 85 per cent of which W. P. Fuller & Co. obtains from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
106791-38-vol vii--44
680 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
eign countries the exchanges are operated by subsidiary corporations.
In still other foreign countries, no exchanges are maintained and
distribution rights are sold outright. The principal offices of RKO's
distribution department are located in New York City. RKO's
gross income for the past fiscal year was $27,545,072.34 and its net
income amounted to $893,580.23.
I. Universal Pictures Company, Inc.,23 herein referred to as Uni-
versal, is a Delaware corporation. According to information fur-
nished by Universal, during its last fiscal year ending September 30,
1937, it purchased film amounting to $200,000 in value from J. E.
Brulatour, Inc. An officer of J. E. Brulatour, Inc. testified at the
hearing that from August 1, 1936, to August 1, 1937, it sold 6,440,000
feet of positive film and 4,475,000 feet of negative film to Universal.
An officer of C. King Charney testified that from September 1, 1936,
to September 1, 1937, this company sold 43,200 feet of infra-red film
to Universal.
Universal also has purchased the following items in substantial
quantities : Hardware from the Union Hardware & Metal Company
and from the California Hardware Company; theatrical and drapery
fabrics from Dazians, Inc.; and photographic supplies from Eastman
Kodak Stores, Inc.
During the year ending September 1, 1937, Universal spent ap-
proximately $8,000,000 in producing' pictures. In this period Uni-
versal made 26 Universal, 2 Trem Carr, 7 Buck Jones, and 2 Paragon
feature-length films 27 and 16 films of short subjects
Universal ships all prints of feature-length pictures made at its
studio out of California. In its last fiscal year, it shipped 37 nega-
tives and 248 prints of its feature-length films, and 16 negatives
and 16 prints of its short subjects out of California. When a picture
is completed the negative is shipped to Fort Lee, New Jersey, where
prints are made for distribution. Universal conducts the distribu-
tion of its pictures through various subsidiary companies as follows :
In the United States, through Universal Film Exchanges, Inc., which
has its principal offices in New York City; in Canada, through Ca-
nadian Universal Film Company, Ltd. ; in other foreign countries,
through various other corporations.
J. Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, herein referred to as
Fox Film, is a New York corporation. During the calendar year
2e In the amended petition in this case the company s name was erroneously given as
Universal Pictures Corp The correct name is Universal Pictures Company, Inc , and the
amended petition is hereby amended to substitute the correct name of the Company for
that riven
' The record does not disclose the arrangement under which Universal makes the
pictures hearing the names Trem Carr , Buck Tones , and Paragon Pictures
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 681
1936,28 Fox Film purchased film from J. E. Brulatour, Inc., at a cost
of $697,723.68. Officers of this company, of Smith & Aller, Ltd., and
of C. King Charney, testified that these companies sold film in the
following amounts to Fox Film :
Distributing company
Type and amount of film
measured in feet
Period of time during which the purchases
were made
J. E. Brulatour, Inc__-_-_-_-__
(35,096,000 positive ----_______
. 8,370,000 negative-----------
}August 1, 1936, to August 1, 1937.
Smith & Aller, Ltd_______-____ 1.000 negative ---------- September 1, 1936, to August 30, 1937
C. King Charney______________ 30,600 infra-red __--__-___ September 1, 1936, to September 1, 1937.
Fox Film has purchased substantial quantities of the following
articles : Hardware from the Union . Hardware & Metal Company
and from the California Hardware Company; theatrical and drapery
fabrics from Dazians, Inc. ; glass from W. P. Fuller & Co.; and
photographic supplies from Eastman Kodak Stores , Inc.21 In 1936,
Fox Film sent five crews on location outside of California for the
purpose of taking sequences of background scenes.
During the calendar year 1936, Fox Film spent $21 ,868,103.20 in
producing motion pictures of which $1,480,989.10 was spent for raw
materials used in such production . During this period, it produced
53 feature-length films and made 318 prints of feature-length films
and short subjects at its studio . Fox Film has its own distribution
department , the principal offices of which are located in New York
,City. During 1936 , Fox Film shipped 416 prints and negatives out
of California.
K. Warner Bros. Pictures Inc., herein referred to as `Varner, is a
Delaware corporation , incorporated in 1923. It employs approxi-
mately 3,500 employees. During its last fiscal year, Warner pur-
chased all of its film from J. E. Brulatour , Inc., Smith & Mler , Ltd.,
and C. King Charney. The total cost of such purchases amounted
to $751,990.70 . Officers of the three distributing companies testified
that these companies sold, film in the following amounts to Warner:
Distributing company Type and amount of filmmeasured in feet
Period of time during which the purchases
were made
35,260 ,000 positi
J. E Brulatour , Inc-_______-__ 8,660,000
1,914 ,000 Canadian -------__
August 1, 1936 , to August 1, 1937.
Smith & Aller , Ltd__-_-_______ 1,800 positive----------- September 1936 , to August 30, 1937.
C King Charney______________ 34,400 infra-red -_________ September 1, 1936 , to September 1, 1937.
Warner has purchased the following articles in substantial quan-
.28In the questionnaire containing this information , the calendar year 1997 is referred
to Inasmuch as the calendar year 1937 had not elapsed in September on October 1937,
when the questionnaire was answered, this probably refeis to the calendar year 1936
for which year other data was furnished by Fox Film
20 Infra matron supp'ied by Fox Film indicates that of $1,480,989 10 spent for materials
during 1936 , articles costing $6,470 were purchased outside of the State of California.
682 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
tities : Hardware from Union Hardware & Metal Company and front
the California Hardware Company; theatrical and drapery fabrics
from Dazians, Inc.; glass from W. P. Fuller & Co.; and photographic
supplies from Eastman Kodak Stores, Inc.30
In its fiscal year ending August 28, 1937, Warner spent $20,664,-
060.50 for production, $994,101.47 for construction, and $1,195,032.36;
for other expenses. During this period, 64 feature-length films and
17 films of short subjects were produced. Four crews were sent out
of California in connection with the preparation of five feature-length
motion pictures. One crew went to Canal Zone and Cuba, another to,
Arizona and Nevada, a third to New York, and the last to Arkansas-
According to information furnished by Warner in answer to a ques-
tionnaire submitted to it, 461 prints and 64 negatives of feature-
length pictures and 17 prints and 17 negatives of short subjects were
shipped out of California during its last fiscal year. At the hearings
it was stipulated by counsel that when the negative of a Warner pic-
ture has been completed, it is shipped to Vitograph, Inc., a wholly
owned subsidiary of Warner, the offices of which are located in New
York City. Prints are made by the Ace Film Laboratory in Brook-
lyn, New York, at the order of Vitograph, Inc., which distributes
the prints thus made. Warner's subsidiaries distribute its pictures
through exchanges located in 37 cities in the United States and
Canada and through offices located in 33 foreign countries.
L. Grand National Films, Inc., herein referred to as Grand Na-
tional, is a Delaware corporation which was incorporated on March
30, 1936. An officer of J. E. Brulatour, Inc. testified that from August
1, 1936, to August 1, 1937, the distributing company sold 274,000 feet
of positive film and 233,000 feet of negative film to Grand National-
An officer of C. King Charney testified that this company sold 17,000)
feet of infra-red to Grand National between September 1, 1936, and.
September 1, 1937. Grand National has also bought substantial
amounts of photographic supplies from Eastman Kodak Stores, Inc..
During its first fiscal year ending April 3, 1937, Grand National's
pictures were produced for it by independent motion picture pro-
ducers. Fifteen motion pictures were produced for it in California.
and two in Great Britain. Duplicate negatives of the 17 feature-
length films thus produced were sent to laboratories in New York
where prints were made for distribution. Since the expiration of
Grand National's first fiscal year, certain of its pictures have been
31 Information supplied by warner indicates that of $881,007 48 spent for building-
materials , articles aggregating $5,512 18 in value were purchased from vendors located
outside of California , and that of $250,62174 spent for costumes and materials for
costumes, articles aggregating $5,894 17 in value were purchased from vendors outside
of California
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 683
produced by a wholly owned subsidiary, Grand National Studios,
Inc., which operates a studio and rents its facilities to outside pro-
ducers. Since April 3, 1937, Grand National had distributed 23
feature-length films, of which 8 were produced directly by it or by
Grand National Studios, Inc., and the remaining by other producers.
M. Trem Carr Pictures, Ltd.31 An officer of J. E. Brulatour, Inc:
testified that from August 1, 1936, to August 1, 1937, the company
mold 124,000 feet of positive film and 101,000 feet of negative film to
Trem Carr Pictures. It was testified by an officer of C. King Charney
that between September 1, 1936, and September 1, 1937, this com-
pany sold 14,000 feet of infra-red film to Trem Carr Pictures.'
Although the record does not disclose the terms of the arrange-
ment, it appears that Trem Carr pictures are produced in Universal's
studio, and that during Universal's last fiscal year, two Trem Carr
pictures were there produced.32 Apparently, all prints of these films
.are shipped out of California as are all prints of other feature-length
films made in Universal's studio.
N. Major Pictures Corporation, herein referred to as Major Pic-
tures, is a Nevada corporation. It leases a studio from General
Service Studios, Inc., at a rental of approximately $2,300 per week.
It also pays a minimum of $500 per day for camera and sound equip-
ment when production is in progress.
During its last fiscal year, Major Pictures purchased 1,277,536 feet
oof film from Smith & Aller, Ltd., and the total cost of the raw nega-
tive which it purchased was $31,052.89. Officers of J. E. Brulatour,
Inc., Smith & Aller, Ltd., and C. King Charney testified that these
"Companies sold film in the following amounts to Major Pictures:
Distributing company Type and amount of filmmeasured in feet
Period of time during which the purchases
were made
J. E Brulatour,Inc-----------
.Smith & Aller, Ltd------------
J 30,000 positive--------------
2,600 negative -------------
780,000 positive --------------
720,090 negative -------------
}August 1, 1936 , to August 1, 1937.
}September 1936 , to August 30,1937
%C. King Charney-------------- 3,000 infra -red------------- September 1, 1936 , to September 1, 1937.
During its last fiscal year, Major Pictures' total cost of production
amounted to $2,074,878.91. Paramount, for which Major Pictures
produces its motion pictures, furnishes the funds needed in produc-
tion. Paramount's approval must be secured with respect to im-
portant decisions relating to the buying of stories, the making of
long-term contracts with writers, the selection of a director and cast,
si The name Trem Carr also appears in the caption of the amended petition However,
the record contains no information with respect to Trem Carr as distinguished from Trem
,Carr Pictures, Ltd.
sz See subsection 1 of this section
684 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
and the budget of a motion picture. Pictures produced by Major
Pictures are owned by Paramount from their inception. During its
last fiscal year, Major Pictures produced 6 feature-length films. The
negatives are sent to Paramount's laboratories in Hollywood, Cali-
fornia. All subsequent operations such as printing and distribution
• are under Paramount's control. Paramount distributes pictures pro-
duced by Major Pictures in the same manner that it distributes its own
pictures. Major Pictures obtains a percentage of any profits derived
from pictures thus produced.
0. Hal Roach Studios, Inc.." herein referred to as Hal Roacit
Studios, is a California corporation. Hal Roach Studios has approxi-
mately 300 employees on its pay roll. During its last fiscal year, it,
purchased film from J. E. Brulatour, Inc., at a cost of $64,321. An
officer of J. E. Brulatour, Inc., testified that from August 1, 1936, to
August 1, 1937, Hal Roach Studios purchased 2,670,000 feet of posi-
tive film and 1,000,000 feet of negative from this company. Other
articles which have been purchased in substantial amounts by Hal!
Roach Studios include hardware from Union Hardware & Metal Com-
pany and from California Hardware Company; theatrical and
drapery fabrics from Dazians, Inc. ; and photographic supplies front
Eastman Kodak Stores, Inc.
During its last fiscal year, Hal Roach Studios produced 5 feature-
length films and 12 films of short subjects. Its total production cost
was $3,126,784.98. Between August 1, 1936, and August 1, 1937, 3,690A
prints of its feature-length films were made. Of these, 129 were dis- "
tributed through an exchange in Los Angeles, California, 226 in for-
eign countries, and the remaining 3,235 films in States of the United
States other than California. In the same period, approximately
2,000 prints and 12 negatives of short subjects were shipped out of
California. Pictures produced by Hal Roach Studios are distributed
by Loew's Incorporated which receives a percentage of the gross re-
ceipts obtained from such distribution.
P. B. P. Schulberg Pictures, Inc., herein referred to as Schulberg
Pictures, is a California corporation. Between June 1, 1936, and
December 31, 1936, Schulberg Pictures purchased film from J. E.
Brulatour, Inc., and from Smith & Aller, Ltd., amounting in cost to
$5,618 from the former, company and to $18,499.12 from the latter-
An officer of J. E. Brulatour, Inc., testified that from August 1, 1936,
to August 1, 1937, this company sold 990,000 feet of positive film and
27,000 feet of negative film to Schulberg Pictures. An officer of
Smith & Aller, Ltd., testified that from September 1936, to August
30, 1937, this company sold 1,085,677 feet of negative film to Schul-
83 The amended petition in this case inaccurately refers to Hal E. Roach Studios, whieb
is the parent corporation and not the producing company.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 685
berg Pictures. Schulberg Pictures has also purchased substantial
amounts of hardware from California Hardware Company and
photographic supplies from' Eastman Kodak Stores, Inc.
From June 1, 1936, to December 31, 1936, Schulberg Pictures made
three and one-half feature-length films. Paramount Pictures, Inc.,
distributes the films made by Schulberg Pictures. '
Q. Monogram Productions, Inc., a California corporation, herein
referred to as Monogram, has been engaged in producing motion pic-
tures for less than 1 year. During its last fiscal year, Monogram
purchased $3,500 worth of positive film and $12,500 worth of negative
film from Smith & Aller, Ltd. According to information furnished
by J. E. Brulatour, Inc., this company sold 1,000 feet of positive
film and 16,800 feet of negative film to Monogram from August 1.
1936, to August 1, 1937.
During, the course of its existence, Monogram has produced 11
feature-length films. Nine negatives and 55 prints were shipped out
of California. Monogram's pictures are distributed by Monogram
Pictures Corporation, a parent corporation.
R. Darmour, Inc.," herein referred to as Darmour, is a California
corporation. During its last fiscal year, Darmour purchased film
amounting to $10,373.78 in cost from J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Smith &
Aller, Ltd., and C. King Charney. Officers of these distributing com-
panies testified that these companies sold film in the following amounts
to Darmour :
Distributing company Type and amount of filmmeasured in feet
Period of time during which the purchases
were made
J 51 000 positiveI. E Brulatour, Inc___________ , ______________
124,000 negative_____________ }August 1, 1936, to August 1, 1937.
Smith & Aller, Ltd____________ 256,000 positn e______________ September 1, 1936, to August 30. 1937
C. King Charney______________ 214,265'superpan_____________ September 1, 1936, to September 1, 1937.
During its last fiscal year, Darmour produced 8 feature-length
pictures. The negatives are sent out of California by Columbia
Pictures Corporation Which distributes Darmour's motion pictures.
HI. THE ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED
Screen Writers' Guild, Inc.35 is a labor organization affiliated with
the Authors' League of America, Inc., admitting to active member-
ship the following : (a) All persons who on March 1, 1938, were
active members of The Screen Writers' Guild of the Authors' League
81 Most of the facts set forth in this subsection are contained in a stipulation which all
parties to the proceeding agreed to make part of the record
86 For reasons set forth herein in Section VIII. Screen Writers ' Guild, Inc is, for the
purposes of this proceeding , substituted for The Screen Writers' Guild of the Authors'
League of America, Inc., the original petitioner.
6686 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
of America, Inc.; (b) upon the recommendation of the Executive
Board of Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., any member of the Authors'
League of America, Inc. as soon as he becomes employed or other-
wise engaged as a Writer in the motion picture industry; (c) all
persons who, within the period of 2 years prior to the date of their
filing an application for membership in Screen Writers' Guild, Inc.,
shall have received either one screen credit for screen writing on a
feature-length picture, or three screen credits for screen writing on
short subjects, or who have been employed during such time as a
screen writer for a period of 3 months consecutively or non-consecu-
tively. The Executive Board of Screen Writers' Guild, Inc. may
make eligible to associate membership therein any person not meet-
ing the qualifications of active membership who applies for asso-
ciate membership.36
Screen Playwrights, Inc. is a labor organization which, upon ap-
proval by 75 per cent of its Board of Directors, admits to its active
membership any person applying for such membership who has
written or participated in the writing of three screen plays and
received screen credit therefor, or who has served 2 years as a
writer of feature screen plays in the employ of any studio, or
studios. It admits to associate membership any person applying
for such membership who has written, or participated in the writ-
ing of, literary material for a screen play and whose application is
approved by 75 per cent of the Board of Directors.
IV. THE STATUS OF SCREEN WRITERS
Screen Playwrights and the Companies contend that screen writers
are not employees within the meaning of Section 2 (3) of the Act,
and therefore do not come within the jurisdiction of the Board. They
state in support of their contention that the services performed by
screen writers are creative and professional in character, whereas the
Act applies to the more standardized and mechanical employments.
They urge that screen writers receive high salaries, whereas the Act
is intended for the protection of Wage earners in the lower income
brackets .31 They further urge that screen writers perform their serv-
3' Testimony with respect to The Screen Writers' Guild of the Authors ' League of
Ameilca, Inc indicates that this was a labor organization, which admitted to active
membership any person who worked as a screen writer within the 2-year period preceding
his application for membership in the Screen Writers' Guild , or Rho received screen credit
either for one feature-length picture or for three short-length pictures The Guild like-
wise made provision for the existence of a class of associate members . The record does
not disclose what were the teams of eligibility for admission to associate membership
84 Screen writing is a relatively high -paid occupation Figures of salaries appearing In
the record vary from $30 to $ 2,000 per week or more , and salaries in the higher brackets
are common The amount of the salary which a screen writer receives , in large measure,
depends upon the screen credit which he has obtained for his work as a writer.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 687
ices free from the control of the Companies and must, therefore, be
considered as independent contractors rather than employees. As
proof of such freedom of control, evidence was adduced to show that
screen writers are not required to observe regular office hours or to
maintain office discipline; that they are not required to produce any
fixed amount of work ; and that they are free to develop screen ma-
terial in accordance with their own ideas.
The conditions under which screen writers render their services and
the nature of their work and of the obligation arising in connection
with their work are normally set forth in a written contract between
the screen writer and a particular company.33 Some writers are em-
ployed under contracts which provide that the writer shall render
service for a definite term. A number of writers are employed on a
free-lance basis under contracts providing for a week-to-week con-
tinuation of the employment or for the completion of a certain piece
of work at a specified aggregate compensation. It was testified that
there is no essential difference between a free-lance writer and a
writer working under contract for a term in the manner in which
they performed their work and that the only difference between the
two is one of length and tenure of employment.3y
The evidence introduced at the hearing shows that under the con-
tracts the screen writers work under the direction of a producer or
an associate producer who makes assignments to the screen writers."
The producer may assign several writers to the preparation of one
play at the same time. Each may work on a different part of the
play. Writers may be and are taken off work to which they have been
assigned, and given other work. There is evidence in the record that
at some studios, screen writers have a voice with respect to their as-
signments, and that they, in many instances, are not required to take
assignments which they do not like. The detail with which the pro-
ducer instructs his writers when making assignments varies. A
writer may be given only a title or type of character and told to
write a story around such title or character. Again, he may be given
the result of another writer's work in developing a story and be
33 It is customary for a screen writer to hire an agent who endeavors to obtain a con-
tract for the screen writer from a motion picture company and who is charged with
looking after the interests of his principal during the life of the contract. As remunera-
tion, the agent receives 10 per cent of the salary earned by the screen writer.
31A person may write screen material which he subsequently sells to a company. At
the hearing, the Guild conceded that such persons, as distinguished from those engaged
by the Companies to perform services as screen writers, are not to be considered as
employees. The term "screen writers" as used herein shall not be deemed to include
such Dersons.
40 There is evidence indicating that a scenario editor is in charge of the writers' depart-
ment in some companies. The division of function between the producer and scenario
editor in supervising screen writers does not clearly appear.
1&88 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
required to write a screen play along the lines set forth in such
,development.
Although the practice varies, it appears that the writer works
closely with the producer. It is customary to consult with the pro-
ducer with respect to the different sequences of a story, and it was
testified by one writer that only rarely will a screen writer finish a
piece of work without holding any conferences with the producer.
There is no fixed practice, however, as to the frequency with which
the writer and the producer confer.
At the conferences, changes are suggested and it is the function of
the writer to embody into the script the changes determined upon by
the producer. Although the producer may concede points to the
writer when differences arise between him and the writer with re-
spect to a piece of work, the producer appears to have the authority
to require the writer to rewrite material in accordance with the
producer's suggestions. It was testified that often a producer has
very definite ideas as to the changes to be made in a script. From
all the evidence, it is clear that the writer's work is subject to the
critical examination and close scrutiny of the producer and that the
producer's word is usually final as to the contents and ultimate form
,of the script.
The extent to which writers are expected to observe regular office
hours appears to vary. In some of the studios, regular hours are
maintained to which the screen writers are expected to conform, and
at such studios, appreciable disregard of the established hours leads
to official comment and criticism. Other studios do not appear to
enforce rules with respect to established office hours but the writers
are allowed wide latitude and freedom in determining when and
where they shall do their work. One witness, himself a producer,
testified that within his experience there was no fixed rule when a
-creative artist must do his work "just so he comes within the general
schedule outlined by a producer." This same witness and certain
,writers who testified stated that some screen writers go to their offices
only occasionally to attend conferences or to obtain their mail, and
do most of their writing at their homes. Some even leave Holly-
wood and do their work at a resort, or in the country. However, the
afore-mentioned producer stated that he "wouldn't say that they may
do it. It is done with the consent of the company, when they make
these trips and work where they please." Screen writers working
on a free-lance basis tend to have somewhat more latitude with re-
spect to the time when they work and are in the office than screen
writers working under contract for a term.
The company usually supplies the writer with an office, with the
necessary supplies such as writing material, and with a stenographer
who is subject to the writer's order. The writer, however, has no
I
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 689
authority to hire or discharge the stenographic help put at his
ddisposal.
Three writers' contracts" were submitted with the record as ex-
hibits.42 No evidence was advanced to indicate that the provisions
-which are contained in the contracts are unusual or unique in any
-way. All three contracts43 contain provisions which give the motion
-picture companies named as parties to these contracts broad powers
to control and direct the manner in which the screen writer party
thereto is to perform his services. One contract states that "The
,Corporation hereby employs the writer * * * to write and coin-
pose original stories * * *, and generally to perform such other
services, as a motion picture writer, as the Corporation may di-
rect * * *, at its studios at Hollywood, California, and/or at
such other studios and/or on such locations as the Corporation may
from time to time designate." Moreover, the contract provides that
-the writer "agrees to devote his entire time and attention and best
talents and abilities exclusively to the service of the Corporation
.and/or such other person, firm, or corporation as, when, and where
-the Corporation may direct for the term" of such employment. An-
oother contract declares that the writer's services "shall be rendered
as and when required by the Producer * * * and same shall be
rendered either alone or in collaboration with such other person or
persons as may be assigned by the Producer from time to time."
Another paragraph of the same contract states that the writer's serv-
ices "shall be rendered in such manner as the Producer may direct
uunder the instructions and control and in accordance with the ideas
'of and at the times and places as required by its duly authorized
representatives * * *." By the terms of this contract, the writer
specifically agrees "to abide by all reasonable rules and regulations
,of the Producer, including studio rules and studio hours, as are
customary at the Producer's studio for its writers." The third con-
-tract contains provisions very similar in content and language to
those quoted from the contract just discussed. In it the writer
agrees to perform his services either "alone or in collaboration with
u The three contracts are of recent origin. One was signed April 30, 1937, and is a
contract terminable at will ; the second was signed January 20, 1936 , and by its terms
,continued for the period of 1 year ; and the third was signed March 9, 1937 , and extends
for a 2 -year period
42 At the hearing, counsel for the Guild also offered into the evidence as an exhibit a
fourth screen writers contract , exclusive of those provisions embodied therein setting forth
the salary agreed upon under such contract . The Trial Examiner refused to allow the
admission of only part of a contract into the evidence . It is not necessary here to pass
upon the correctness of this ruling inasmuch as the provisions material to the above
discussion do not differ substantially from the provisions of the other contracts above
-considered
'a Each contract is with a different motion picture company. All three companies,
}parties to these contracts , are motion picture companies named in this proceeding
690 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
another or other artists, in such manner as the producer may di-
rect, under the instruction and control, in accordance with the ideas
of, and at the times and places required by its duly authorized rep-
resentatives * * *," and further that "the services of the artist
and the manner of rendition thereof are to be governed entirely by
the producer." Moreover, the artist "agrees to faithfully observe-
and be governed" by such rules of conduct as the producer may es-
tablish for observance by its employees. One witness at the hearing,
a producer, thought that most contracts made by the company for
which he worked (one of the Companies named in this proceeding)
contained a provision whereby the screen writer agreed to abide by
studio rules.
An apparently standard clause contained in all three contractss
provides that all literary material created by the writer during the
term of the contract "shall automatically become the property of the:
producer who, for this purpose, shall be deemed the author thereof."
All three contracts give the motion picture company exclusive rights;
to any literary material written by the writer pursuant to the
contract.
Upon the basis of all the evidence, we find that persons engaged
by the respective Companies to perform services for them as screen
writers are employees within the meaning of the Act.
V. THE QUESTION CONCERNING REPRESENTATION
In May 1927, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,
herein called the Academy, was founded to coordinate the various
branches of the motion picture industry. The Academy also appears
to have functioned as an instrument for bargaining between the vari-
ous branches of the industry. Shortly after it was founded, con-
ferences were held between committees of the Producers' Branch and
of the other Branches of the Academy with respect to a proposed 10-
percent reduction in salaries. This reduction was not put into effect-
On April 21, 1932, the Academy adopted a code of practice govern-
ing relations between writers and motion picture companies. On
October 15, 1935, it approved an amended "Writer Producer Basic
Agreement and Revised Code of Practice," previously approved by
members of the Producers' Branch and of the Writers' Branch and
signed by eight motion picture companies, presumably members of
the Producers' Branch of the Academy. The agreement provided
that it shall continue for a period of 5 years from its effective date,
and it set up standards with respect to the giving of screen credits,
the giving of notice as to termination of employment on a week-
to-week basis, and other conditions of employment and practices
among screen writers.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 691
In 1933, The Screen Writers' Guild, which was organized in De-
cember 1920, as a branch of the Authors' League of America, and
which was incorporated under the laws of California in 1921, became
active in connection with the adoption of the Motion Picture Code
under the National Industrial Recovery Act. The Deputy Adminis-
trator of that Code appointed members both of the Guild and of the
Academy on a committee to formulate provisions of such Code.
Differences between the Guild and the Academy appear to have de-
veloped so that in 1933 the Guild requested its members to resign
from the Academy. In May 1936, the membership of the Guild voted
to make certain changes in its constitution providing for the dissolu-
tion of the Guild corporation and the closer amalgamation of the
resultant voluntary association with the Authors' League of America.
,Opposition to these changes developed among certain members who
resigned from the Guild. In the summer of 1936, Screen Play-
wrights, Inc., was formed.
On February 10, 1937, Screen Playwrights obtained an agreement
from the same eight motion picture companies which had signed
the agreement with the Academy in 1935, establishing certain stand-
ards with respect to the giving of screen credit, the employment of
free-lance writers, and other practices and conditions of• employment
affecting screen writers employed by the motion picture company
signatories. The effective date of the agreement was April 19, 1937,
and by its terms it is to continue in effect for 5 years.
On August 19, 1937, the Guild, through its president and secretary,
sent letters to the Companies named in this proceeding '44 as well as to
certain other motion picture companies, and to the Association, in
which the Guild claimed that it represented a majority of the screen
writers in the motion picture industry and a majority employed by
each of the companies to which the letter was addressed and requested
the companies to bargain collectively with it as exclusive representa-
tive of the screen writers in the motion picture industry and of the
screen writers employed by each of the companies. On August 26,
1937, the Guild sent another letter addressed to the same companies
and to the Association in which it again requested the companies
and the Association to bargain collectively with it as exclusive repre-
sentative of the screen writers. Counsel for several of the Companies
stated at the hearing that originals of all the letters sent were
received by each of the companies to which they were addressed and
by the Association. These statements were uncontroverted. The
Guild, however, received no communication in answer to any of its
"One letter was addressed to Columbia Pictures, Inc, and another to Hal S Roach
Studios, Inc. As already indicated, the correct names of these motion picture companies
are, respectively, Columbia Pictures Corporation of California, Ltd., and Hal Roach
Studios, Inc
692 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
requests to bargain collectively from any of the companies or front
the Association.
In each of the amended petitions filed in this proceeding, the Guild
alleged that it had requested the motion picture Company or Com-
panies, as the case may be, named in such petition, through the=
Association of Motion Picture Producers, Inc., through the Motion
Picture Producers & Distributors of America, Inc., through Pat
Casey, and directly, to recognize it as the exclusive bargaining agency
for the employees of the unit described in each such petition. The=
Guild further alleged that in the case of each petition, such requests
were refused.
We find that questions have arisen concerning representation of
screen writers employed by each of the Companies named in this
proceeding.
VI. THE EFFECT OF THE QUESTIONS OF REPRESENTATION UPON COMMERCE
We find that the questions concerning representation which have
arisen, occurring in connection with the operation of each of the
Companies described' in Section II above, have a close, intimate, and
substantial relation to trade, traffic, and commerce among the several
States, and tend to lead to labor disputes burdening and obstructing
commerce and the free flow of commerce.
VII. THC APPROPRIATE UNITS
In each of the amended petitions the Guild claims that the ap-
propriate bargaining unit with respect to the particular company
consists of "all individuals who, within two years prior to the date
of the filing of the amended petition herein, have been employed as
screen writers for a period of 12 weeks (consecutively or non-con-
secutively) or have received within said two years at least one screen
credit for screen writing on a feature length photoplay or other
motion picture, or have received within said two years at least three
screen credits for screen writing on short subjects excepting how-
ever, such individuals who, upon the date of the filing of the original
petition herein, were, or at any time subsequent thereto have been,
executives, producers, associate producers, supervisors, story editors,
scenario editors, and any other persons having executive or super-
visory powers."
In its brief filed subsequent to the hearing, the Guild departs some-
what from its previous position and urges that there should be a sin-
gle bargaining unit for all companies which are members of the Asso-
ciation of Motion Picture Producers, Inc., and separate units for
0
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 693
each Company which is not a member of the Association.- Screen
Playwrights and the Companies contend that screen writers em-
ployed by each Company, regardless of the Company's membership
in the Association, constitute a separate bargaining unit.
It was stipulated at the hearing that eight companies were mem-
bers of the Association as of May 15, 1937.4G There is no evidence
as to whether any other companies are members. Furthermore, there
is very little evidence as to the relationship between the Association
and the companies which are members of it or as to what are the con-
sequences attendant upon membership in the Association. The only
light which the record throws upon the matter must be obtained by
inference from certain bargaining which the testimony shows was
carried on by the Association.
The evidence indicates that in 1937, the Academy addressed to the
Association all offer to aid in the adjustment of differences arising
from a 10-per cent reduction in salary among certain occupational
groups in the motion picture industry and that an' unidentified officer
of the Association accepted the offer on behalf of the Association..
Following the Academy's intervention, the president. of the Asso-
ciation, speaking for the Association, announced at a banquet that
the proposed reduction would not go into effect. Again in 1929, the
Academy appears to have been active with respect to relations be-
tween motion picture companies and certain of their employees. In
November 1929, an Actors' Committee requested the president of
the Association for a conference between actors and motion picture
producers. Pursuant to this request, a series of conferences was held
between a committee of actors and a committee representing the
Association 47 which culminated in an agreement ratified by the Asso-
45 In its brief , the Guild also contends that all individuals who, within 1 year prior to
the date of the filing of the amended petition , have been employed as screen writers by
one or more motion picture companies for a period aggregating 6 weeks should be eligible
to vote, regardless of whether they were employed as screen writers on the date when
such amended petitions were filed. Since It is highly improbable that the Guild intended
that persons not within the unit should vote and since the contention of the Guild regard-
ing eligibility to vote would involve voting by persons not within the unit set forth in
the Guild 's amended petition , the Guild's contention would seem likewise to involve a
shift by the Guild in its position with respect to the unit. Possibly the Guild intended
throughout to take the position that all persons employed by a company as screen writers
should be in a bargaining unit, but that only those screen writers who have worked a
prescribed length of time or have a prescribed number of screen credits should vote in
the election. If so, the amended petition incorrectly spoke in terms of unit rather than
in terms of eligibility to vote.
.46 These eight companies are : Metro -Goldwyn -Mayer Corporation ; Universal Pictures
Company, Inc. ; Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation ; RHO Radio Pictures, Inc. ;
Columbia Pictures Corporation ; Warner Bros . Pictures Inc.; Paramount Pictures, Inc. ;
and Hal Roach Studios, Inc.
4' This account of the participation of the Association in negotiations with the Actor's
Committee is contained in a copy of the Annual Report for 1930 of the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which counsel for the Guild offered as an exhibit. The
Trial Examiner rejected the offer. Inasmuch as this information is relevant to an
appraisal of the Association 's status as an employer within the meaning of the Act, the
694
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
ciation and signed by motion picture companies which held member-
ship therein.
In July 1933, a committee of the American Society of
Cinematographers, an organization of cameramen, proposed an
agreement to the president of the Association. The evidence indicates
that a representative of the American Society of Cinematographers
appeared before the Association and was there told that those pro-
ducers who were present would negotiate an agreement. The com-
panies represented were not identified. Nor was it shown that they
were members of the Association. The following month, a camera-
men's committee met at the offices of the Association with a group
of studio executives and with Pat Casey.48 Subsequently, an agree-
ment appears to have been signed by certain companies. A revision
of parts of the agreement was later signed for the Association by a
"Producer's Committee" consisting of three individuals.
On May 15, 1937, an agreement was executed at the M. G. M.
offices between the Screen Actors' Guild, Inc., and eight companies,
all members of the Association,4" in which the, eight company sig-
natories agreed to recognize the Screen Actors' Guild, Inc. "as
exclusive collective bargaining agent for all actors in the motion
picture industry." Negotiations leading to this agreement began
between Pat Casey and the executive secretary of the Screen Actors'
Guild, Inc., at Pat Casey's office, one of the offices of the Association.
Casey stated that "the producers would recognize the Guild as the
bargaining agent for actors in the motion picture industry; that a
committee would be appointed to meet with the Guild's representa-
tives for the purpose of negotiating working conditions." At two
other meetings, an actor's committee discussed the actors' proposals
with Pat Casey. Subsequently the actor's committee met with a com-
mittee representing certain motion picture companies. It does not
appear whether on May 15, 1937, when the agreement was signed,
any companies other than the eight signatories of the agreement
were members of the Association. On the following day, signa-
tures on behalf of other companies, namely, of Walter Wanger,
Selznick, Major Pictures, B. P. Schulberg, and Goldwyn, were affixed
to the agreement. Between that time and the date of the hearing
in this case, further signatures were added to the agreement so that
Report containing this information should have been admitted into the record. The Trial
Examiner's action in this regard is overruled, and the Report, which was forwarded
to the Board- with the record in this proceeding to permit the Board to consider the
propriety of the Trial Examiner's ruling, is hereby admitted as Petitioner Exhibit No. 7.
48 The record does not disclose the position occupied by this individual or his authority,
although it does appear that his offices are located with those of the Association. His
name also appears on a copy of a wage -scale agreement , dated June 14, 1937, between the
International Association of Machinists and 11 companies , which Pat Casey apparently
signed as the representative of such companies.
49 See footnote 46 herein for the names of these companies.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 695
by the time of the hearing, the agreement had been signed on behalf
of 39 companies.
Counsel for the Guild also cites in his brief two agreements, both
heretofore mentioned, the "Revised Basic Agreement and Writer-
Producer Code of Practice," dated October 15, 1935, and the agree-
ment of April 19, 1937, signed by Screen Playwrights and by eight
companies, in support of its contention that screen writers employed
by such companies as are members of the Association constitute a
single bargaining unit. Both agreements were signed by the same
eight companies and seven of these were members of the Associa-
tion on May 15, 1937.50 The evidence does not indicate whether the
eighth motion picture company signatory was a member of the Asso-
ciation, nor whether the Association negotiated these agreements on
behalf of the producer signatories.
The foregoing shows that, in certain instances, the Association has
negotiated on behalf of various motion picture companies as regards
the employment conditions of certain occupational groups in the
motion picture industry. The evidence does itot disclose whether in
negotiating particular agreements the Association represented com-
panies other than those constituting its membership or whether it
represented its entire membership. Nor is the extent or the character
of the Association's participation revealed in most instances. The
record does not show that the Association is authorized generally to
control labor policies or to handle employment problems of members
of the Association. Clearly, it cannot be concluded on the basis of
the evidence now before the Board that the Association is an em-
ployer within the meaning of the Act or that screen writers employed
by companies which are members of the Association should be included
within a single bargaining unit.
The amended petitions and briefs filed by the Guild indicate that
the Guild may desire that the bargaining units be limited to persons
who have been employed as screen writers for a prescribed length of
time or who have obtained a prescribed number of screen credits."
However, _all the screen writers employed by the companies have a
community of interest with respect to their employment conditions
regardless of their period of employment or the number of their screen
credits. Although more experienced writers may receive higher
salaries6 and have privileges not accorded those employed for but a
brief period as screen writers, nevertheless all alike are faced with
the same problems relating to screen credit, notice of termination of
contracts, and other employment conditions. We conclude, there-
50 The eight companies are Columbia Pictures Corp. ; Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp. ;
Paramount Pictures, Inc ; Universal Pictures Co , Inc ; First National Pictures, Inc. ;
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp ; RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. ; and Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.
O' See footnote 45 herein.
106791-38-vol. va-45
696 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD _
fore, that all screen writers employed by the Companies should be
included within the respective units.
In each of the amended petitions , the Guild alleged that executives,
producers , associate producers , supervisors , story editors , scenario
editors, and other persons having executive or supervisory powers
should be excluded from the bargaining unit. The individuals em-
ployed in each of these classifications have supervisory or executive
functions . No objection was raised by any party to the exclusion of
these occupational groups. We find, therefore, that executives, pro-
ducers, associate producers , supervisors , story editors , scenario editors,
and other persons having executive or supervisory duties should be
excluded from each of the bargaining units found to be appropriate.
In his brief filed subsequent to the hearing , counsel for the Guild
contends that composers , lyricists , readers, and directors should like-
wise be excluded from the unit or units found to be appropriate herein.
The agreement between Screen Playwrights, and the eight motion pic-
ture companies signatory thereto, dated April 19, 1937, expressly ex-
cludes from its application "directors , * * * composers , lyricists, or
other employees whose participation in writing may be incidental to
their bona fide employment in other capacities ." The readers, whose
function it is to examine and make synopses of material which may
prove suitable for motion picture production , appear to perform work
which would differentiate their interests from those of the screen
writers. Furthermore , neither the Guild nor the Screen Playwrights
appear to claim jurisdiction over the above -named occupational
groups.
We find that all screen writers employed as such by the Companies,
exclusive of executives , producers , associate producers , directors , super-
visors, story editors , scenario editors, and other persons having execu-
tive or supervisory powers and exclusive of lyricists, composers, and
readers , constitute, in the case of each Company , a unit appropriate
for the purposes of collective bargaining, and that said units will in-
sure to employees of each of the Companies, respectively, the full
benefit of their right to self-organization and to collective bargaining
and otherwise effectuate the policies of the Act.
VIII. TIIE DETERMINATION OF REPRESENTATIVES
It is asserted that the basic agreement of April 19, 1937,. between
seven of the Companies. involved in this proceeding, First National
Pictures , Inc., and Screen Playwrights precludes action by the Board
at this time with respect to screen writers employed by such Com-
panies. This agreement , which establishes certain standards with
respect - to practices and employment ' conditions of "Screen writers
employed -by the eight Companies , is for a , term of 5 years. A year
has already expired and the evidence raises a substantial question
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 697
as to whether the employees involved desire the Screen Playwrights
to continue to represent them. We do not believe that, under the
policies and provisions of the Act, employees should be precluded
from having the opportunity to select new representatives for col-
lective bargaining for a period as long as 5 years because of a con-
tract running for that length of time. We therefore do not consider
that the agreement of April 19, 1937, bars the certification of repre-
sentatives at this time.
Nor do we find merit in the contention that the individual con-
tracts under which a majority of the screen writers are employed
preclude the certification of collective bargaining representatives.
The fact that the agreement of April 19, 1937, just mentioned, has
existed concurrently with the individual contracts demonstrates con-
clusively that the latter constitute no bar to collective bargaining.
No evidence was introduced at the hearing upon the basis of which.
we could make a finding that a majority of the employees in the-
units found to be appropriate have designated and selected any
representatives for the purposes of collective bargaining. We there--
fore find that an election by secret ballot is necessary to resolve tha
questions concerning representation.
As already indicated, the Guild alleged in each of its amended
petitions that individuals who, within 2 years prior to the date of
the filing of the amended petition, have been employed as screen
writers for a period aggregating 12 weeks, or who, within such
period, have received at least one screen credit for writing one fea-
ture-length film, or three screen credits for writing short subjects
should be'eligible to vote.52 However, in his brief, counsel for the
Guild contends that individuals who, within 1 year prior to the
date of the filing of the amended petitions, have been employed by
one or more motion picture companies as screen writers for a period
aggregating 6 weeks should be eligible to vote, regardless of whether
they were employed as screen writers on the date when such amended
petitions were filed. It is the position of the Companies and Screen'
Playwrights, however, that inasmuch as the Act provides that the
Board may take "a secret ballot of employees," only screen writers
who are employed as screen writers on'the date of the election should
be eligible to vote.
In support of its contention that screen writers, although not em-
ployed at the time of the election, should be permitted to vote if they
have been employed 6 weeks within the year, preceding the date
when the amended petitions were filed, the- Guild cites the irregu-
larity of employment among screen writers,` especially of those -who,
operate on a free-lance basis,53 and the frequency with which they
02 See footnote 45 herein
53 At the hearing , one witness estimated that approximately 30 pericent 'of screen writers
worked on a free- lance basis.
698 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
change their place of employment. It urges that if only those
screen writers who are employed as such at the time of the elec-
tion, or on some other set date, are permitted to vote, a large num-
ber of screen writers, at that time unemployed, will thereby be de-
prived of the right to participate in the elections. Cases of the
Board are cited which it is claimed serve as precedent for the ruling
urged by the Guild. In Matter of McCabe, Hamilton and Renny,
Limited and Honolulu Longshoremen's Association, Local 38-136
of the International Longshoremen's Association,- it was found
that "those longshoremen who have been employed by the Company
for not less than 75 hours during the last six months" constitute the
appropriate unit. In Matter of International Mercantile Marine
Company and Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Work-
ers of America, Local No. 02, et al.,55 it was found that the ap-
propriate unit consisted of "all the workers, exclusive of foremen,
employed by the two companies, * * * who have worked 24
days for either or both companies during the preceding three
months * * * "
The facts in these two cases are, however, distinguishable from
the facts in the instant proceeding. In both cases, the problem was
to define "regular employee" in order to exclude from the appro-
priate unit persons working for the companies at infrequent inter-
vals. Although individuals not actually working at the time of
the elections were allowed to vote, the facts there presented showed
that the individuals occupied the status of employees. In the in-
stant case, there exists no definite expectancy of regularly recurring
employment of a screen writer with the employer for whom the
screen writer previously performed services. It must be concluded,
therefore, that only those screen writers actually employed by the
Companies may be considered to be employees of the respective
Companies.
We conclude also that the additional limitation that a screen writer
to be eligible as a voter must either have been employed an aggre-
gate of 6 weeks within the year preceding the date of the filing of
the amended petitions or have received one screen credit for a fea-
ture-length film or three screen credits for writing short subjects
should not be imposed. We found above that all screen writers em-
ployed by each respective Company, regardless of the length of em-
ployment or the number of screen credits obtained, constitute an
appropriate unit. The considerations which led to that conclusion
are equally applicable here.
We now turn to a consideration of the date to be used in deter-
mining the eligibility of screen writers to participate in the elec-
54 3 N. L. R. B. 547.
Q0 3 N. L. R. B. 751.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 699
tions. Inasmuch as screen writers frequently shift their employ-
ment from one company to another, it is desirable to select a date for
determining eligibility which will most closely reflect the employ-
ment situation at the time of the election. Eligibility to vote in the
elections will, therefore, be extended to screen writers within the
appropriate unit employed by the Companies on the date of the
issuance of the Direction of Elections hereinafter provided for.
The contracts between individual screen writers and the Com-
panies in some instances provide that the employing Company may
assign the services of the screen writer, if it so desires, to another
Company, and the record reveals that screen writers are, on occa-
sion, so assigned. Although a screen writer may perform services
for another company under such an arrangement, nevertheless his
employment is still actually with the company with which he has his
contract. His duties and obligations are still regulated by the con-
tract under which the assignment of his services is made. We
therefore find that any writer who, pursuant to such an assignment,
is rendering service on the date which determines the eligibility of
voters, to a company other than that with which he has his contract,
shall be permitted to vote with the screen writers employed by the
Company with which he has contracted. Such a writer shall not,
however, participate in the election among screen writers employed
by the company to which he has been assigned at such time.
As heretofore indicated, Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., in its petition
to reopen the record and receive further evidence, requested that
if an election be held the name of Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., be
designated on the ballot in lieu of The Screen Writers' Guild of
the Authors' League of America, Inc. At the second hearing, Screen
Writers' Guild, Inc., entered into the record a copy of its Articles
.of Incorporation 56 filed with the Secretary of the State of Cali-
fornia on March 1, 1938, which, among other matters, recites that
the name of the unincorporated association which is being incor-
porated is "The Screen Writers' Guild of the Authors' League of
America, (Inc.)," that the persons who at that time were acting as
the officers, directors, and alternate directors of the Guild are to act,
respectively, as the officers, directors, and alternate directors of
Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., until the election and qualification of
their successors, and that " all persons who are entitled thereto as a
matter of law or who fulfill the qualifications set forth in the By-
Laws of the corporation shall be members of the corporation."
An attached affidavit recites that on February 14, 1938, The Screen
Writers' Guild of the Authors' League of America, (Inc.), adopted a
resolution which authorized the president and secretary to incor-
a° Screen Writers ' Guild , Inc., Exhibit No. 1.
700 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
porate the Guild. There was also entered into the record a certifi-
cate signed by the secretary of Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., stating
that the attached document entitled " Constitution and By-Laws of
the Screen Writers' Guild, Inc." is an exact copy of the constitution
and bylaws adopted by Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., at a special
membership meeting held on May 4, 1938. Attached to this exhibit
is likewise an extract copied from the minutes of such meeting which
states that more than a majority of the members of Screen Writers'
Guild, Inc., approved at this meeting the resolution set forth in the
exhibit adopting such constitution and bylaws.67
At the second hearing counsel for Screen Writers' Guild, Inc.,
cited Section 605-B of the State of California Civil Code which
reads as follows : " If an unincorporated association is incorporated
hereunder, the members thereof shall be members of the corporation
so created, unless they file their dissent in writing with the secretary
thereof." The secretary of Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., testified that
she remembered one resignation between November 1, 1937, and
March 1, 1938, from the Guild or from Screen Writers' Guild, Inc.,
and that there had not been more than four between these dates.
The secretary further stated that subsequent to March 1, 1938, she
had not received any resignations.
The Companies, relative to the issue as to whether Screen Writers'
Guild, Inc., is composed of the same persons who were members of
The Screen Writers' Guild of the Authors' League of America, Inc.,
requested the Trial Examiner to issue a subpena duces tecum requir-
ing the secretary of Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., to produce records
'listing the names of the members of Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., as of
the date of the hearing and the names of the members of The Screen
Writers' Guild of the Authors' League of America,, Inc., as of
`October 28,' 1937. The Trial Examiner denied this request. In
view of the provisions of the California law and the other facts
above set forth, we find that the ruling of the Trial Examiner was
correct, and it is hereby affirmed.
We find on the basis of the entire record that Screen Writers'
'Guild, Inc., may properly be substituted for the purposes of the
present proceeding for The Screen Writers' Guild of the Authors'
League of America, Inc., and, pursuant to the petition of Screen
Writers' Guild, Inc., it is hereby so substituted. Accordingly, the
name Screen Writers' Guild, Inc., shall be placed on the ballot in
'lieu of The Screen Writers' Guild of the Authors' League of
America, Inc.
Upon the basis of the above findings of fact and upon the entire
record in this proceeding, the Board makes the following :
51 These documents constitute Screen Writers ' Guild, Inc , Exhibit No. 2
DECISIONS AND ORDERS
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
701
1. Questions affecting commerce have arisen concerning the repre-
sentation of employees of each of the Companies, within the meaning
of Section 9 (c) and Section 2 (6) and (7) of the National Labor
Relations Act.
2. Persons employed as screen writers by each of the Companies,
exclusive of executives, producers, associate producers, directors,
supervisors, story editors, scenario editors, and other persons having
executive or supervisory powers, and exclusive of lyricists, composers,
and readers constitute, in the case of each Company, a unit appro-
priate for the purpose of collective bargaining, within the meaning
of Section 9 (b) of the National Labor Relations Act.
DIRECTION OF ELECTION
By virtue of and pursuant to the power vested in the National
Labor Relations Board by Section 9 (c) of the National Labor Rela-
tions Act, and pursuant to Article III, Section 8, of National Labor
Relations Board Rules and Regulations-Series 1, as amended, it is
hereby
DIRECTED that, as part of the investigations authorized by the
Board to ascertain representatives for the purposes of collective
bargaining, elections by secret ballot shall be conducted within
twenty-five (25) days from the date of this Direction of Election,
under the direction and supervision of the Regional Director for the
Twenty-first Region, acting in this matter for the National Labor
Relations Board, and subject to Article III, Section 9, of said Rules
and Regulations, among all persons who are employed as screen
writers on the date of issuance of this Direction of Election by Loew's
Incorporated, Selznick International Pictures, Inc., Walter Wanger
Productions, Inc., Samuel Goldwyn, Inc., Ltd., Republic Productions,
Inc., Columbia Pictures Corporation of California, Ltd., Paramount
Pictures, Inc., RICO Radio Pictures, Inc., Universal Pictures Com-
pany, Inc., Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, Warner
Bros. Pictures, Inc., Grand National Films, Inc.. Tram Carr Pictures
Ltd., Major Pictures Corporation, Hal Roach Studios, Inc., B. P.
Schulberg, Inc., Monogram Productions, Inc., and Darmour, Inc.,
respectively, exclusive of executives, producers, associate producers,
directors, supervisors, story editors, scenario editors, and other per-
sons having executive or supervisory powers, and exclusive of lyri-
cists, composers, and readers to determine whether such employees de-
sire, in the case of each Company, to be represented by Screen
Writers' Guild, Inc., or by Screen Playwrights, Inc., for the purposes
of collective bargaining, or by neither.
9