Opinion

Ex Parte Lingenfelter

  • 64 Tex. Crim. 30
  • 142 S.W. 555
  • 1911 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 514
Court
Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
Filed
Nov 29, 1911
Status
Published
Author
Harper
On the bench
Harper, Davidson
Cited by
24 cases

"The enumeration of particular things is sometimes so complete and exhaustive as to leave nothing that can be called ejusdem generis. If the particular *438 words exhaust the whole genus, the general words must refer to some larger genus. * * * [Under these circumstances], ... the maxim ejusdem generis must yield to the maxim that every part of a statute should be upheld and given its appropriate effect, if possible.”

How later courts described this case

  • "The enumeration of particular things is sometimes so complete and exhaustive as to leave nothing that can be called ejusdem generis. If the particular *438 words exhaust the whole genus, the general words must refer to some larger genus. * * * [Under these circumstances], ... the maxim ejusdem generis must yield to the maxim that every part of a statute should be upheld and given its appropriate effect, if possible.”

Written by the judges who cited it.

The opinion

ON REHEARING.

December 20, 1011.

HARPER, Judge.

At a former day of this term, relator was remanded, and he has filed a motion praying for a rehearing herein. Able counsel represented him, and presented strongly their theory of the case. Inasmuch as we are still of the opinion that lie is not entitled to be discharged, we would write no further, except in obedience to a request of relator’s counsel that we make it clear whether wc intended to hold that all moving picture exhibitions were prohibited on the Sabbath. As the Penal Code of this State prohibits circuses, theaters, variety theaters .and such otlie amusements as arc exhibited, and for which an admission fee is charged on Sunday, and as wc are of the opinion that a moving picture exhibition is of the same species of amusement as those named, and comes within the meaning of the words, “and such other amusements,” we hold that all moving picture exhibitions, of every character and kind, are prohibited from being exhibited on Sunday.

As illustrative that the amusement is of the same species as those named, we find the following in a current periodical: “There is a studio for the manufacture of moving picture films in the Bronx which employs at times as many as 500 actors. Among them are many strange characters and their wages for a single motion picture amounts at times to $10,000 or more.

“Only a few days ago, a picture was made at a cost of $12,750.

*61

It illustrates the story told in an old English novel and in the telling, required the introduction of almost 600 characters, of whom fifty werq principals and 500 were what would constitute the chorus or mob in an opera. There were also more than 100 horses used by the soldiery.

“However, that is another story. The point is, that posing for picture shows, brings together the oldest collection of actors in the world. This one studio employs persons who have appeared before crowned heads in legitimate drama, soubrettes whose pictures appeared on cigar and cigarette boxes a few short years ago, dancers who turned the heads of youthful monarchs when in their prime, tragedians who trod the hoards with Booth and Barrett. Age or accident, a fickle public, or misfortune of one kind or another drove them from the legitimate stage and forced them into pantomime.”

Relator presents no additional authorities, and we discussed fully in the original opinion all those cited by him. A theater is but a reproduction of some play or scene by acting, by pantomimes or by tableau. A moving picture exhibition is also but a reproduction of these same scenes and plays.

The motion for rehearing is overruled.

Overruled.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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