Legal fight snarls 'Watchmen' film

Come March, there's some question as to whom – if anyone – will be watching "Watchmen."

Writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons' award-winning, mid-'80s comic book miniseries has been turned into a feature film by "300" director Zack Snyder. And the movie is currently scheduled for release March 6 by Warner Bros. Pictures.

However, thanks to 20th Century Fox officials, there's at least a question whether the film will be released then … or if it ever will be.

Fox is suing Warner Bros.over which of the studios holds the film rights to "Watchmen." (By the way, it was originally published as a 12-issue miniseries by DC Comics, so technically speaking, it's not really a "graphic novel.")

Fox says that it still holds those rights and that the Warner Bros. film is in violation of that.

And now there's a federal court hearing scheduled Jan. 20 to see if that release date will be postponed.

Comics and movie fans are already up in the arms about the legal mess and are calling the two studios petty — and even worse things. So far, Fox and Warner have refused to settle their disagreement out of court.

But there's been some speculation that what this is really about is the rights to the old Batman television series.

Apparently Fox needs Warner Bros.' cooperation before it can release the show on DVD. And Warner is unwilling to do so because it feels the campy '60s program somehow "tarnishes" its profitable Batman movie franchise.

Also, this may be a way for Fox to regain its stake in the profitable, comic-book movie industry.

While Fox still has the rights to Marvel Comics' "X-Men" concepts and characters, the Marvel Studios production company has also forged alliances with other competing studios — including Columbia Pictures (home to Spider-Man), Paramount Pictures (Iron Man) and Universal Pictures (Hulk).

For what it's worth, I'm betting Fox and Warner will work out something before the Jan. 20 court date. There's too much riding on this for them not to do so.

JUST BECAUSE it's silent doesn't mean it's closed.

The Organ Loft has been dormant since late fall but will reopen for its 2009 Silent Movie Series. It begins Thursday and Friday with screenings of the 1925 Buster Keaton comedy "Seven Chances."

The local venue, located at 3310 Edison (approximately 150 East), specializes in silent films, most of them featuring live organ accompaniment by Blaine Gale.

Other upcoming Organ Loft films include the Alfred Hitchcock thriller "The Lodger" (Jan. 22 and 23); the Academy Award-winning 1927 drama "7th Heaven" (Feb. 5 and 6); the comedy "Charley's Aunt" (1925), which stars Syd Chaplin (Feb. 19 and 20); and the little-seen, 1927 horror movie "The Unknown," which teamed Lon Chaney and Joan Crawford (March 5 and 6).

Show time for all programs is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5; for group reservations, phone 485-9265. And for more information on Organ Loft programs, visit www.organloftslc.com.

E-mail: jeff@desnews.com