Metro Golden Mayer Inc

In the weeks before a film's release, there's often a buzz around town, either that a film has "tested through the roof" or that it's tested so badly the studio is re-shooting the ending. But since test screening results are usually confidential, few outsiders see the profound influence the scores--and recommendations by the testing group--have on the creative process.

In the weeks before a film's release, there's often a buzz around town, either that a film has "tested through the roof" or that it's tested so badly the studio is re-shooting the ending. But since test screening results are usually confidential, few outsiders see the profound influence the scores--and recommendations by the testing group--have on the creative process.

Italian businessman Giancarlo Parretti, former owner of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, has rejoined the fight to own the venerable Hollywood film studio with new allegations of bribery and fraud. Citing recent evidence, Parretti's attorneys Thursday asked the Delaware Chancery Court to reopen the 1991 case in which the legally troubled financier lost control of MGM. "The ultimate purpose of this is to get control of MGM," Parretti's Beverly Hills-based lawyer, Jay Coggan, said in an interview.

Michael Nathanson, a former Columbia Pictures production executive who most recently headed Arnon Milchan's New Regency Productions, has been named president and chief operating officer of MGM Pictures. He replaces Mike Marcus, who resigned from the studio last week. Nathanson obtained early release from his New Regency contract in order to take the job. He had served as chairman and chief executive of the Warner Bros.

Michael Nathanson, a former Columbia Pictures production executive who most recently headed Arnon Milchan's New Regency Productions, has been named president and chief operating officer of MGM Pictures. He replaces Mike Marcus, who resigned from the studio last week. Nathanson obtained early release from his New Regency contract in order to take the job. He had served as chairman and chief executive of the Warner Bros.

Italian businessman Giancarlo Parretti, former owner of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, has rejoined the fight to own the venerable Hollywood film studio with new allegations of bribery and fraud. Citing recent evidence, Parretti's attorneys Thursday asked the Delaware Chancery Court to reopen the 1991 case in which the legally troubled financier lost control of MGM. "The ultimate purpose of this is to get control of MGM," Parretti's Beverly Hills-based lawyer, Jay Coggan, said in an interview.