Ismail Merchant dies in London, aged 68

Ismail Merchant, whoseprodigious 44-year filmmaking partnership with James Ivory became synonymouswith sumptuous period dramas and literary adaptations, died in London onWednesday after a brief illness. He was 68.Over the years,Merchant's films garnered thirty-one Oscar nominations, including three forBest Picture. Among his best knownfilms were A Room with a View, ShakespeareWallah, Mr. And Mrs. Bridge, Howards End, ...