The Rush for Copies of Cary Grant’s Best Work Begins; : Alfred Hitchcock’s Thrillers Popular With Actor’s Fans

When a veteran screen star dies, all the media attention invariably revives interest in the star’s old movies. Cary Grant’s recent death, video stores report, has prompted fans to seek out his oldies.

Though Grant was known as the debonair charmer--a persona associated with his comedies--his most popular home videos are the thrillers he made with director Alfred Hitchcock.

“North by Northwest” (1960: MGM/UA, $19.95) of course, is the champ. The best of Hitchcock’s comedy/thrillers, it’s more thriller than comedy. The chase scenes--particularly the one in which the beleaguered ad man (Grant) is chased by the crop-dusting plane--are classics.

More than any other role, the jewel thief he plays in Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief” (1955: Paramount, $19.95) defines the Grant image: suave, dapper and elegantly sexy. “Suspicion” (1941: RKO, $29.95) is a first-rate suspense movie, one of Hitchcock’s best. But Grant is overshadowed by Joan Fontaine, who won the best-actress Oscar for her portrayal of a terrified woman who thinks she’s a target for murder.

“Notorious” (1946: CBS-Fox, $59.95), a tale of intrigue and espionage set in South America during World War II, shows off Hitchcock’s skills as a suspense director better than any of his movies, with the possible exception of “Strangers on a Train.” Grant and Ingrid Bergman are mere Hitchcockian pawns in this one.

“His Girl Friday” (1940: Hal Roach, $19.95), director Howard Hawks’ remake of “The Front Page,” is arguably Grant’s best movie. It’s certainly his best comedy. His rapid-fire verbal battles with Rosalind Russell are classics. This rat-a-tat repartee is what Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd strive for in TV’s “Moonlighting.”

Nineteen-forty was a great year for Grant comedies, with “The Philadelphia Story” (1940: MGM/UA, $49.95), directed by George Cukor and nearly as good as “His Girl Friday.” But Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart, who won the best-actor Oscar, outshine Grant in this one. The story, about romantic entanglements in high society, is slight. The cast and script, by Donald Odgen Stewart, are the real stars.

“The Awful Truth” (1937: RCA/Columbia, $59.95), co-starring Irene Dunne, is a classic screwball comedy. The fast-paced dialogue is marvelous. Other interesting Grant comedies: “Operation Petticoat” (1959: Republic, $24.95), “Father Goose” (1964: Republic, $24.95) and “Topper” (1937: Nostalgia Merchant, $39.95).

The taut adventure story, “Gunga Din” (1939: RKO, $29.95), is among the most popular Grant movies on home video. Action is the key here. Unfortunately, you don’t get a real sense of the great Grant charm in this Kipling tale of war in 19th-Century India.

It’s surprising to find out which of Grant’s best-known films are not available on cassette. The list includes “An Affair to Remember” (1957), “Holiday” (1938) and his two famous 1933 movies with Mae West, “She Done Him Wrong” and “I’m No Angel.” “Bringing up Baby” (1938), the excellent screwball comedy co-starring Katharine Hepburn, isn’t on video yet but it’s due next spring from RKO.

Grant’s last film, “Walk, Don’t Run” (1966) isn’t available either. Maybe that’s for the best; it’s not one of his most memorable movies.

CHARTS (Compiled by Billboard magazine). TOP VIDEOCASSETTES, RENTALS 1--”Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (Paramount).

2--”Down and Out in Beverly Hills” (Touchstone).

3--”Raw Deal” (HBO/Cannon).

4--”The Money Pit” (MCA).

5--”Pretty in Pink” (Paramount).

6--”Out of Africa” (MCA).

7--”Cobra” (Warner).

8--”9 1/2 Weeks” (MGM/UA).

9--”F/X” (HBO/Cannon).

10--”Legend” (Paramount).

TOP VIDEOCASSETTES, SALES 1--”Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (Paramount).

2--”Sleeping Beauty” (Disney).

3--”Jane Fonda’s Low Impact Aerobic Workout” (Karl-Lorimar).

4--”White Christmas” (Paramount).

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

6--”Raiders of the Lost Ark” (Paramount).

7--”Witness” (Paramount).

8--”The Sound of Music” (CBS-Fox).

9-- “Beverly Hills Cop” (Paramount).

10--”Pinocchio” (Disney)