The closely guarded life and interesting times of the late Lew Wasserman provide for potent fodder in "The Last Mogul," an endlessly intriguing documentary about the empire-building MCA chief that won't ever be mistaken for a fawning tribute piece. Extensively researched, written and directed by Barry Avrich, who runs a prominent Toronto advertising agency, the film, which had its world premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, was made without the blessings of either Wasserman's family or Universal Studios. [...] though both camps declined participation, Avrich has found no shortage of often candid interview subjects, including Michael Ovitz, Jack Valenti, Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown, Sydney Pollack, Frank Price, Robert Evans, Suzanne Pleshette and even former President Jimmy Carter.

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