Rights to the film
OK, I understand how Moby Dick (1956) ended up with MGM, but how did this Warner film end up in MGM's hands?
shareIt actually belongs to the Samuel Goldwyn Trust, an organization that owns the rights to the classic films that Goldwyn produced after leaving MGM (BALL OF FIRE, THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, GUYS AND DOLLS...). I don't know how the Goldwyn trust got rights to it, since I don't think anyone in the family was involved with the production.
Anyhow, in the '90's, MGM inherited a license on the theatrical and home video rights to these films. However, part of that deal expired and the home video rights are now, ironically, with Warner Bros.!