The only son of the late showbiz crooner has obtained a restraining order which temporarily prevents convicted kidnappers Barry Keenan, Joseph Amsler and John Irwin from receiving any payment from Columbia Pictures.

Mr Sinatra, 54, has also filed a lawsuit against the three men, Columbia Pictures, writer Peter Gilstrap and New Times Inc.

Stopping payment

His attorney, James H Walsworth, said Mr Sinatra was not attempting to stop production of the movie, as that would be in violation of the First Amendment.

Mr Walsworth said instead, Mr Sinatra would like all profits to be put into a beneficiary trust.

The state of California also passed a law in 1986 preventing felons from profiting from their crimes.

However, according to Mr Walsworth, Columbia Pictures alleges that the 1986 law is unconstitutional.

He said: "I don't know why Columbia is fighting this. It tells people that criminals can profit from their crimes and that's ridiculous."

Mr Sinatra was 19 when he was kidnapped on 8 December 1963 from a casino in Lake Tahoe.