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

“The March of Time: American Lifestyles, 1939-1950.” Embassy. $24.95 each; $149.70 for gift pack. Unlike other newsreels of the period, this Time magazine-produced series took relatively long, deep looks at life in these United States--with as much attention paid to the ordinary Joe and Jill as to celebrities. This first six-volume collection (followed by another set on World War II) gathers home-front and postwar examples into sensible categories. There are two tapes on “The American Family,” two on “Show Business,” one each on “American Fashion and Leisure” and “America’s Youth.” These are frequently fascinating historical documents, combining newsreel pace and wit with intelligent journalism. The film quality is good, the tape transfer excellent. Information: (213) 553-3600. *** 1/2