The Metropolis Theatre Company v. City of Chicago case in 1912 revolved around the constitutionality of a city ordinance that prohibited certain types of theatrical performances on Sundays. The Metropolis Theatre Company was fined for violating this law and appealed, arguing that it violated their rights under the Fourteenth Amendment to due process and equal protection under the law. However, the Supreme Court upheld the fine and ruled against them, stating that such laws were within a municipality's police power to regulate public morals and welfare. They also stated there was no violation of equal protection as all theaters were treated equally under this law regardless if they had religious content or not.

In the dissenting opinion for Metropolis Theatre Company v. City of Chicago, it was argued that the majority's decision to uphold a city ordinance regulating theater ticket prices infringed upon private property rights and freedom of contract. The dissenting justices believed that there was no reasonable basis for government interference in this case as it did not involve public health, safety or welfare issues. They contended that setting maximum prices on theatre tickets is an arbitrary act which goes beyond legitimate police power regulation and enters into realm of price control which should be left to market forces. Furthermore, they expressed concern about the potential implications of such a ruling on other industries if governments were allowed to regulate pricing without clear justification related to public interest considerations.