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

“New Faces (1952).” VAI. $49.95. Despite the presence of Harry Horner as director and some nostalgic footage of early Eartha Kitt, there aren’t too many faces we remember from these New Faces. Nor should we. Except for stretches of the late Paul Lynde in action, Kitt and Alice Ghostley are the only faces we recognize instantly. Peter de Vries is credited with some writing; invisible in the background lurks a very young Carol Lawrence. But such prominently displayed faces as that of Robert Clary have blissfully receded. Frenchman Clary tries too hard and delivers one of the silliest renditions ever of “Alouette.” This 98-minute video’s real value is as a time capsule that, alas, confirms the vapidity of the ‘50s--strapless gowns, perfect hair, arm-long gloves, vacant smiles and inane comedy. One Melvin Brooks was responsible for some of that dreadful shtick, but clumsy jokes about “Groove Juice” and Benzedrine fall very flat in the age of cocaine. Information: (212) 799-7798. *