Self-Help Cassette Top-Heavy With Inspiration; HBO ‘Ghostbusters’ Rankles Some Distributors

A boom in self-help cassettes is on the way, say some home-video experts. This forecast certainly makes sense. Dramatizing psychological principles gives them added impact. Also, cassettes appeal to that vast audience that self-help books don’t reach--all those people who prefer watching TV to reading.

One of the most ambitious is “Twelve Steps . . . The Video,” a 35-minute dramatization of the principles that are the foundation of many programs that treat alcoholism, drug abuse, overeating and excessive gambling. It’s written, produced and directed by Gerry Rogers, a recovering alcoholic who makes educational films for treatment centers.

This slickly made cassette is certainly inspirational, often to cloying excess. Rogers defended his approach: “If you’re down, you need uplifting. You want hope and inspiration. You want something emotional and positive. You don’t want anything negative. This video overpowers you with inspiration.”

Rogers stressed that “Twelve Steps” is not a substitute for going through a treatment program. “It’s an introduction,” he said. “It helps people find out ideas in back of these programs. Or it can help people who are in a program or people who have just been through a program and need reinforcement. It’s a quick fix, a dose of inspiration if people in treatment miss a meeting or if they just need a boost. It’s not selling any program, it’s just showing people that there’s a solution to their problems and that there’s an alternative to going down the drain.”

Of course, like any videocassette that’s not a movie or doesn’t focus on exercise or pop music, retail stores simply don’t want to stock it. Right now it’s only available through mail order (Gerald Rogers Productions, 5225 Old Orchard Road, Suite 23K, Skokie, Ill. 60077).

But it may wind up in stores yet. Karl-Lorimar is considering purchasing the distribution rights.

ODDS ‘N’ ENDS: In home-video business circles, they’re still talking about the surprise Christmas Eve showing of “Ghostbusters” on HBO. Currently the film is available only on home video and isn’t scheduled for an official cable debut for quite a few months. Distributors and retailers, of course, are miffed about the sneak preview, thinking it may cause sales and rentals to drop significantly. Other home-video insiders, however, insist that little damage was done, contending that the preview was so sudden that few had a chance to tape the movie.

According to early returns, Christmas was a sales boon in video stores. Some of the nation’s bigger outlets have reported a doubling of sales. A big reason was that most of the manufacturers were offering previously released movies at bargain prices--mostly between $25 and $30. Last year only Paramount, the industry leader in slashing prices, offered a significant number of popular movies at cheaper prices. This year the other manufacturers followed Paramount’s lead--with tremendous results.

NEW AND COMING MOVIES: “The Year of the Dragon,” the violent, controversial movie about a New York cop (Mickey Rourke) battling a Chinese-American organized crime syndicate, will be released in March by MGM/UA. The controversy concerned charges by Asian groups that the movie, directed by Michael Cimino, is racist. A box-office disappointment, but interest generated by the controversy will probably lure lots of renters.

A movie that should figure prominently in the Oscar race, “Prizzi’s Honor,” makes its debut this week (Vestron, $79.95). Stars Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner, director John Huston and the film itself are possible nominees. “Mask” (MCA, $79.95) is also out this week. Its star, Cher, has a good shot at a best-actress nomination.

Though there are no significant debuts next week, lines should be long at video stores the week of Jan. 19, which may turn out to be one of the biggest of the year. “Rambo: First Blood Part II,” destined to be one of the year’s top five hits, will be available. So will “Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome,” with Mel Gibson and Tina Turner. Then there’s “St. Elmo’s Fire,” starring Rob Lowe and the Brat Pack, and “Creator,” with Peter O’Toole and Mariel Hemingway. Also debuting is “Teen Wolf,” a modest movie that was a hit mostly because of the mere presence of its star, Michael J. Fox. This one should be a big rental hit.

FOREIGN MOVIES: Three of the most acclaimed films ever made are being released next week by Embassy at the bargain price of $29.95: Kurosawa’s “Rashomon” (Japanese, 1951); Fellini’s “La Strada” (Italian, 1954), starring Anthony Quinn, and Fritz Lang’s “M” (German, 1931), featuring Peter Lorre as a hunted child murderer. This thriller made Lorre a star. All three are available dubbed or with subtitles.

TOP VIDEOCASSETTES, RENTALS 1--”Beverly Hills Cop” (Paramount).

2--”Gremlins” (Warner Video).

3--”Ghostbusters” (RCA/Columbia).

4--”Pale Rider” (Warner Video).

5--”The Emerald Forest” (Embassy).

6--”A View to a Kill” (CBS-Fox).

7--”Code of Silence” (Thorn/EMI/HBO).

8--”Fletch” (MCA).

9--”Brewster’s Millions” (MCA).

10--”Amadeus” (Thorn/EMI/HBO).

TOP VIDEOCASSETTES, SALES 1--”Beverly Hills Cop” (Paramount).

2--”Pinocchio” (Disney).

3--”Jane Fonda’s New Workout” (Karl-Lorimar).

4--”White Christmas” (Paramount).

5--”The Best of John Belushi” (Warner Video).

6--”The Wizard of Oz” (MGM/UA).

7--”Ghostbusters” (RCA/Columbia).

8--”Jane Fonda’s Workout” (Karl-Lorimar).

9--”Gone With the Wind” (MGM/UA).

10--”Mary Poppins” (Disney).