For Easter, the Biblical and the Musical

In time for Easter come new laser transfers of two films appropriate for the season: George Stevens’ production of “The Greatest Story Ever Told” (MGM/UA Home Video, two discs, extended play, $40) and “Easter Parade” (MGM/UA Home Video, extended play, $25).

Stevens’ 199-minute 1965 film, made in association with Carl Sandburg no less, spared little expense in rounding up seemingly every star available who could offer a commanding presence, beginning with Max von Sydow as Jesus.

Charlton Heston (Moses in another seasonal favorite, Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments,” also available on laser, Paramount, $40), John Wayne, Sidney Poitier, Claude Rains and Jose Ferrer are all part of the tableaux.

The crisp, wide-screen letterbox transfer enhances this ambitious attempt to bring the Bible alive; the relatively wide banding preserves the sweeping vistas as they were meant to be seen. Why is it, though, that almost no Hollywood effort at biblical narrative can be created without a full complement of celestial notes underscoring virtually every scene, even under the able hand of Alfred Newman?

Reading the 42 chapter stops is not unlike going through a relatively well-indexed Bible: “In the beginning . . .”; “Do unto others”; “Bring that Baptist to me”; “Hosannah”; “My God why hast thou forsaken me?”

The high purpose of “The Greatest Story . . .” rapidly gives way to the fashions of this early century’s life in “Easter Parade.” No pretense at religion, in this 1-hour, 44-minute excuse for Irving Berlin’s infectious 1948 romp through New York with Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Ann Miller and a very young, very British Peter Lawford.

The advantage of the laser edition over the typical version on TV lies in the superb laser transfer. This newly pressed disc was digitally mastered from a new 35-millimeter interpositive made from the original three-strip IB Technicolor nitrate camera negative. It’s a richly textured print that is a pleasure to watch as one after another classic number unfolds: “When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam,” “Shakin’ the Blues Away,” “Steppin’ Out With My Baby,” “A Couple of Swells” and, of course, “Easter Parade.” All are easily found via 53 well-chosen chapter stops.

Extra bonuses are the odd little “Mr. Monotony” number excluded from the original release, as well as the theatrical trailer.