‘Die Mommie’ lawsuit fizzles

Distributors of the film “Die Mommie Die!” are no longer under a court order to include playwright Charles Casillo’s name on the credits and in advertising, a federal judge ruled Friday.

U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson dissolved a temporary restraining order another judge issued last week. He also denied a request for an injunction that would have lasted until the lawsuit Casillo filed is resolved.

Casillo contends that the film, which stars writer Charles Busch, is based on his play “One Night Stand in a Lonely Hotel.” He says both feature a main character who is a pill-popping fallen star, a gigolo who sleeps with both men and women, and a murderous daughter.

Anderson said the similarities Casillo identified do not qualify for protection under copyright law.