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Columbia Responds to Stooges Suit: Columbia Pictures has accused two groups of Three Stooges heirs of trying to violate a valid contract with the studio, according to a Los Angeles County Superior Court filing. In response to an earlier suit by the heirs, Columbia says it retains legal rights to “exploit a motion picture and other works” based on the Stooges and that it fully intends to go forward with a Stooges movie. Columbia accused the heirs of trying to dissolve the contract in order to make a better deal, including a plan to stage a live Three Stooges revue in Las Vegas. The Stooges heirs are seeking to dissolve the 1988 Columbia deal on grounds that the studio has failed to honor its obligations.