Alain Bernheim and Art Buchwald

Longtime Washington Post columnist Art Buchwald was rather matter-of-fact when it was announced in 1995 that he and producing partner Alain Bernheim had settled their seven-year legal battle with Paramount Pictures over the Eddie Murphy film "Coming to America."

"I think we made our point," Buchwald said.

Buchwald, who died in 2007, and Bernheim were to receive $825,000 and the trial court judgment against Paramount was vacated.

They had sued Paramount for breach of contract, contending that the 1988 film was based on a short treatment Buchwald sold to the studio in 1983.

Buchwald and Bernheim were close friends--Bernheim was mentioned in several of Buchwald's columns.

--Keith Thursby

Photo: Art Buchwald in 1977. Credit: Los Angeles Times