Woody Allen is desperate to prevent Mia Farrow taking the stand in an upcoming court case - he fears "lurid" allegations from their custody battle will be dredged up once more.

The Annie Hall director launched a $10 million lawsuit again clothing giant American Apparel after company bosses used his image on billboard ads in New York and Los Angeles without his permission.

And in the latest round of legal arguments, the moviemaker wants his former girlfriend Farrow and Hustler tycoon Larry Flynt barred from giving evidence in the case - because it will turn the hearing into a "spectacle", according to the New York Daily News.

In legal papers, attorney Christian Carbone writes, "It is clear that the unproven allegations from the custody dispute will be used in a most lurid manner."

Allen and Farrow were in a relationship for 12 years from 1980, but underwent a bitter battle for custody of their son Ronan and two adopted children following their split in 1992.

Woody Allen Photos

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)