Cain

The plaintiff, James M. Cain, is a well-known writer who has written several novels, among which, perhaps, the best known is “The Postman Always Rings Twice”, and a large number of short stories and stories for film production. In 1937, he wrote a novel called “Serenade”, which he copyrighted on December 1st of that year. Universal Pictures Corporation, Inc., is a corporation engaged in the production of motion pictures. On November 22, 1938, the plaintiff sold to the film corporation, for the sum of $17,500, a story entitled “Modern Cinderella”. The defendant John M. Stahl is a director employed by Universal in the production of motion pictures. The defendant Dwight Taylor is a playwright and scenario writer who; at various times, has been employed by the film company. In 1939, Stahl began the filming of “Modern Cinderella”. Difficulties were encountered after a portion of the story was filmed. The need to use a particular contract star, Irene Dunne, arose. And it was determined that the story should be recast so that she and her male lead, Charles Boyer, could be used in the picture. The adaptation of the story began and“went through many hands working under the great strain of…