TURN-ONS AND TURN-OFFS IN CURRENT HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES : Excellent Good Fair Poor : VIDEOCASSETTES

“Black Magic.” Video Late Show. $14.95. Of all the movies credited to others but where people think they spot star Orson Welles’ fine directorial hand, this 1949 historical drama, credited to Gregory Ratoff, may have the most persuasive claim--even more than “Journey Into Fear.” (Eyewitnesses recall Welles shooting crowd scenes while his buddy Ratoff cheerfully did service as an extra.) “Black Magic” is also very underrated and lots of fun: dubious but lively, lavishly dressed historical ham. It’s about the sinister magician-mesmerist Cagliostro and his court machinations against Marie Antoinette. Amateur magician Welles clearly loved this role; he’s at his most amusingly grandiose and eye-rollingly florid. And despite the plush kitsch, there are scenes here, pieces of real camera wizardry, you’d swear no one else could have shot. Information: (818) 888-3040. 1/2