P. M. BRIEFING : Astaire’s Widow Sues Columbia

The widow of Fred Astaire has sued Columbia Pictures Entertainment Inc. for at least $25,000 for alleged breach of contract over the distribution of two of his films, court papers showed today.

Robyn Astaire, 44, a former jockey, seeks a complete accounting of Columbia’s distribution of the films “You’ll Never Get Rich” and “You Were Never Lovelier.”

Astaire claims in her lawsuit that her husband signed an agreement in 1941 with Columbia under which he was to receive 5% of all receipts in excess of $100,000 until he received $5,000, and 10% of all receipts in excess of $20,000.

The lawsuit alleges that Columbia has breached this contract at least since 1987.