ON THE DOCKET

Two British firms involved in the production of the multi-Oscar winning “The Last Emperor” have filed a $30-million breach-of-contract suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Hemdale Film Corp. and Columbia Pictures over the manner of the film’s theatrical distribution. The suit, filed by Recorded Picture Co. Ltd. and Screenframe Ltd., claims that Hemdale and Columbia breached agreements to split profits from distribution of the film, which won nine Oscars last year, including Best Picture. Among the charges in the suit is one blaming Columbia for limiting the film’s profits by refusing to release the film in Cineplex Odeon theaters because of a simultaneous disagreement with the Canadian chain unrelated to the film itself. Calls to Hemdale and Columbia regarding the suit were not returned.