Lorimar Telepictures Corp

When Inette Miller sold the film and television rights to her book, "Burning Bridges," to Lorimar-Telepictures, the contract--like most book-to-film deals negotiated in Hollywood--stated that besides money, Miller would receive an on-screen credit reading "Based on the book by Inette Miller." But when "Burning Bridges" airs on ABC Sunday, Miller's name will be nowhere in sight.

Donald M. Kendall, chairman and chief executive of Pepsico Inc., has been elected a director of Lorimar-Telepictures Corp., Culver City.

Refusing to grant Stuart Karl "a private court," a judge ruled Wednesday that the one-time whiz kid of the video industry will have to testify in public about his stormy business relationship with Lorimar Telepictures Corp. Karl, who rapidly gained riches through the Jane Fonda workout videos but fell nearly as quickly into bankruptcy and political scandal, is expected to be a key witness in an ongoing legal malpractice trial in Orange County Superior Court. He may testify next month.

It was, as they say, the end of an era. Lorimar Telepictures Corp. at last was merged Wednesday into the entertainment mammoth Warner Communications Inc. Lorimar, which made its reputation producing "Dallas" and other television series, will survive as a Culver City subsidiary doing what it has always done best: TV. What it has done with notable lack of success--making movies, especially--has been wound down during the many months that the merger has been impending.

Lorimar Telepictures, which recently agreed to lower its sale price to Warner Communications, reported Friday a $215-million net loss in the second fiscal quarter ended Sept. 30. In the same period a year earlier, it recorded a loss of $55.6 million. The Culver City-based entertainment firm said the results included an $85-million provision for loss related to commitments to complete and develop certain theatrical motion pictures.

It was, as they say, the end of an era. Lorimar Telepictures Corp. at last was merged Wednesday into the entertainment mammoth Warner Communications Inc. Lorimar, which made its reputation producing "Dallas" and other television series, will survive as a Culver City subsidiary doing what it has always done best: TV. What it has done with notable lack of success--making movies, especially--has been wound down during the many months that the merger has been impending.

Lorimar Telepictures, beset by losses and a cash crunch as its pending sale to Warner Communications continues to be delayed, agreed Monday to knock about $75 million off the price of the acquisition. Under an agreement in principle, Warner will swap less of its stock to acquire Lorimar's 46 million shares than the parties originally agreed upon last May. Instead of about $700 million, the price tag would be about $625 million, plus the assumption of about $530 million in Lorimar debt.