Entertainment, Information for Armchair Travelers; Susan Hayward’s ‘I Want to Live!’ Available on Cassette

Before taking a trip to an unfamiliar city, tourists have always bought travel books. But why just read about a city? In this era of home video, tourists are also buying and renting visual guides.

The travel tape market is on the verge of a boom. I’ve seen scattered tapes from various travel series but none approach the comprehensiveness or quality of Republic’s Travel Tips series, released last month. They’re good enough to stand on their own as entertainment.

Travel expert Laura McKenzie, takes you on a one-hour tour of 12 locations--Paris, London, Rome, Switzerland, Ireland, Egypt, Morocco, Athens, Hawaii, Spain, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Each cassette is $24.95. All were made especially for home video. None was either previously shown on television or makes use of stock footage.

McKenzie offers tips on such crucial topics as where to stay, where to eat, how to pack, what to expect, currency, night life, restaurants and sightseeing. “I try and stay positive,” she said. “But I mention a lot of negatives, like crime, pickpockets and areas you shouldn’t walk around in at night.”

Though a seasoned traveler, McKenzie, a nationally syndicated TV travel and entertainment reporter, adopts the stance of the inquisitive tourist.

“I’m not trying to act like a jet-setter or show how you can spend a $1,000 a day in some city,” she said. “I’m the average American tourist who’s looking to have fun without spending a fortune. I’m not a sophisticated hot-shot. I only speak English. I’m looking for the simplest and most interesting things about a city, just like everyone else.”

Accompanied by a crew of three, McKenzie spends about two weeks in each location. “A couple of weeks before I go somewhere I do all the research,” she said. “I read a lot of books and talk to people who have been to these places. That helps me make choices. If I read 10 books and four mention a certain restaurant, then I’ll try that restaurant.”

The problem with most travel videocassettes is that they’re often disguised commercials for various airlines, hotels and restaurants. This series carefully avoids those pitfalls.

“I have my credibilty as a reporter to think about,” McKenzie explained. “If there were commercials at the end of these tapes, people would think I was recommending things just because I was getting freebies.

“It’s a lot cheaper to do it with commercials. The sponsors pay a lot of the expenses. It’s very expensive when you do it the way we do it but all the information is honest, not influenced by any sponsors.”

Aiming for a library of 35-40 tapes, Republic will release a new cassette about every two months. Tapes on New York, Mexico and Washington, D.C. have been shot but not edited. McKenzie is currently working on a Caribbean cassette. New Orleans, Kenya, Australia, Venice and Florence are on her travel agenda.

‘BACK TO THE FUTURE’: Speculation continues about the release date and price of last-year’s top-grossing movie, “Back to the Future.” According to a source who requested anonymity, MCA plans to release the teen/fantasy adventure starring Michael J. Fox in May. But the big news is the price. Rather than the customary $79.95, the source said “Back to the Future” will sell for $29.95. This would be the first time that MCA has ever released a new movie at a bargain price. Paramount and Warner Video have had great success with pricing hot new movies relatively inexpensively. Such a move may be setting the stage for the eventual release of MCA’s other blockbuster, “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” at $29.95 or $39.95.

OLD MOVIES: Some of Susan Hayward’s best movies still aren’t available on cassette--particularly her ‘50s work. The late actress was the Meryl Streep of the ‘50s, collecting a bundle of Oscar nominations. She won the best actress award for “I Want to Live!” (1958) for her performance as Barbara Graham, who was executed for murder in California. It will be available on cassette from MGM/UA on March 18 for $59.95.

“The California Reich,” a one-hour exploration of neo-Nazism (1977) regarded by many critics as one of the best documentaries of the ‘70s, will be released by Paramount March 31 for $49.95.

Another recent release: “State of the Union” (1948), with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, directed by Frank Capra. Considered one of their top three movies as a pair (MCA, $39.95).

Due next week: “Ship of Fools” (1965), with Lee Marvin and Vivien Leigh, and the classic Humphrey Bogart black comedy “Beat the Devil,” which writers and directors have been stealing from since it came out in 1954. Both on RCA/Columbia at $59.95.

NEW AND COMING MOVIES: This is a big week for comedies. “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” (Warner, $79.95), “National Lampoon’s European Vacation” (Warner, $79.95), with Chevy Chase, and “Volunteers” (Thorn/EMI/HBO,$79.95), starring John Candy, are in the stores. Next week February’s blockbuster, “Return of the Jedi” (CBS-Fox) is being released, along with “Silverado,” “Real Genius” and another John Candy comedy, “Summer Rental.”

“The Bride,” a version of “The Bride of Frankenstein,” will be available in late March. This box-office dud nearly ruined Jennifer Beals’ career. Sting co-stars. On March 31, Paramount will release “Compromising Positions,” a comedy with Susan Sarandon and Raul Julia, and “Stephen King’s Silver Bullet,” a horror movie starring Gary Busey.

Coming in April on Warner Video: “American Flyers”--romance and bicycle racing, with Kevin Costner and Rae Dawn Chong; “Krush Groove,” the musical about rapping featuring the cream of the rappers.

CHARTS (compiled by Billboard magazine) TOP VIDEOCASSETTES, RENTALS

1--”Rambo: First Blood Part II” (Thorn/EMI/HBO).

2--”Prizzi’s Honor” (Vestron).

3--”Mask” (MCA).

4--”Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome” (Warner Video).

5--”St. Elmo’s Fire” (RCA/Columbia).

6--”Beverly Hills Cop” (Paramount).

7--”Gremlins” (Warner Video).

8--”Pale Rider” (Warner Video).

9--”Ghostbusters” (RCA/Columbia).

10--”The Emerald Forest” (Embassy). TOP VIDEOCASSETTES, SALES

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

2--”Rambo: First Blood Part II” (Thorn/EMI/HBO).

3--”Beverly Hills Cop” (Paramount).

4--”Pinocchio” (Disney).

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

6--”Prizzi’s Honor” (Vestron).

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

8--”The Wizard of Oz” (MGM/UA).

9--”Mask” (MCA).

10--”Ghostbusters” (RCA/Columbia).