Adams Theatre Co. v. Keenan

The opinion of the court was delivered by

William J. Brennan, Jr., J.

The question here is whether the trial court erred in entering a summary judgment directing Newark’s director of public safety and city clerk to issue to plaintiff a license to operate a theater exhibiting burlesque shows. Defendants’ appeal to the Appellate Division was certified by this court of its own motion.

The license was refused under a licensing ordinance prohibiting the operation of a theater for commercial stage or motion picture exhibitions except under license issued with the “approval” of the director of public…