A Billy Wilder Rarity

With no major feature-film releases scheduled for this week, it’s a good time to catch up on less-heralded releases.

* “Kiss Me, Stupid” (MGM/UA, 1964, $20): This racy and suggestive Billy Wilder film, full of burlesque humor, was attacked by some in the conservative early ‘60s but seems tame by today’s standards. It still retains its humor. Dean Martin stars as an oversexed singer who is preyed upon by two songwriters, including one (Ray Walston) who has a gorgeous wife (Felicia Farr). Co-starring Kim Novak as a prostitute.

* “The Big Bang” (Fox Lorber, 1990, $80): For 81 minutes, a wide range of people, including a nun, a boxer and an ex-gangster, talk about their theories of life. Offbeat and occasionally riveting. Assembled by writer-director James Toback, who wrote “Bugsy.”

* “Edison the Man” (MGM/UA, 1940, $20): A thorough Hollywoodization of the life of the inventor, featuring one of Spencer Tracy’s finest performances in the title role. Manages to wring drama and suspense out of an unlikely topic--Edison’s invention of the electric light.

* “Betrayed” (MGM/UA, 1954, $20): It’s hard to accept Clark Gable and Lana Turner as spies in Nazi-occupied Holland in World War II. This works, though, for those who can savor sizzling chemistry between stars while blotting out an unconvincing story.

* “Across the Wide Missouri” (MGM/UA, 1951, $20): Starring Clark Gable as a rugged frontiersman in a routine story about trailblazing Westerners. But it’s one of the best of the early ‘50s Westerns because of well-filmed action scenes and a respectful attitude toward American Indians--unusual in those days.

And these titles are new on laser disc:

* “Designing Woman” (MGM/UA, 1957, $35): An opposites-attract romantic comedy, from George Wells’ script, with blue-collar sportswriter Gregory Peck hooking up with classy fashion designer Lauren Bacall. Directed by Vincente Minnelli.

* “The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms” (Warner, 1953, $35): One of the best of the prehistoric-monster-crushes-city flicks because of the Ray Harryhausen special effects. Fun to freeze-frame.