Practice of block booking and ownership of theater chains by film studios (vertical integration) constituted anti-competitive and monopolistic trade practices. As a result of the decision, the studios were forced to sell the chains they owned, an action which combined with the advent of television put them in a difficult financial position for almost a quarter-century, gave stars more bargaining power which ended the contract player system and along with it the Golden Age of Hollywood. Decided May 3, 1948 (argued 1948). Opinion of the Court: William O. Douglas → go there Topic: Businesses/Corporations/Contracts. United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc., 334 U.S. 131 (1948), is a landmark United States Supreme Court antitrust case that decided the fate of film studios owning their own theaters and holding exclusivity rights on which theatres would show their movies. It would also change the way Hollywood movies were produced, distributed, and exhibited. It also opened the door for more foreign and independent films to be shown in American theaters. The Supreme Court affirmed the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York's ruling that the existing distribution scheme was in violation of United States antitrust law, which prohibits certain exclusive dealing arrangements. Wiki link