‘AMADEUS’ RIGHTS IN DIVORCE DISPUTE

“Amadeus” takes center stage Thursday in court as a judge begins the task of determining who owns the rights to the film and whether the producer’s wife is entitled to a cut in a divorce settlement.

Saul Zaentz, Berkeley-based producer of the Oscar-winning film, says the rights and $16.5 million were vested in the Saul Zaentz Co. “from the moment it committed to provide the production funds for the film.”

But Lynda Zaentz, his wife of seven years, says Zaentz himself owns the rights and she should get a share.

Mrs. Zaentz has asked for monthly sums of $2,000 for clothes, $1,000 for entertainment, $75 to maintain a pet, $260 for personal beauty care and up to $250 in domestic help.

The divorce trial is expected to last two to three weeks.