AIDS Tape Getting Mixed Reception From Retailers
“The ignorance about AIDS around the country is staggering--I’ve traveled around and talked to people about it so I know first-hand,” said TV talk-show host Arsenio Hall, producer and co-host of Paramount’s new AIDS education video, “Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS and You.” “To combat the ignorance I had to make this video.”
Hall, who came up with the idea for the tape, continued: “For example, people have asked me is the AIDS virus in tears or in spit or in sweat. One person thought that if someone has AIDS you have to be careful about their sweat. Someone saw Paula Abdul giving Magic Johnson (he has the AIDS virus) a friendly kiss at an awards show. They thought she could catch AIDS that way.”
The tape, made by Hall’s production company, sells for $15, with profits going to the Magic Johnson Foundation. Johnson is co-host of the program, which was directed by Malcolm Jamal-Warner in an MTV-style. The 45-minute tape is geared to teens and young adults, featuring stars such as Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley and Sinbad promoting education and safe sex. Some of the commentary, though, is fairly explicit. For instance, one section has a young woman explaining how to apply a condom.
“We were trying to be factual and informative but as conservative as we could, to make a tape that could be seen by as many people as possible,” he said. “We didn’t want it to be offensive to anyone.”
But it didn’t work. Some video outlets have decided not to carry the video, citing fears that the subject matter is too explicit. Moreover, non-theatrical titles like this are always a harder sell in an industry geared to movies. Hall said he’d hoped these outlets would make an exception in this case.
“These executives have a chance to help educate people about AIDS but some of them have their heads in the sand,” Hall said.
Distributors, like Ingram Merchandising Services, which supply these outlets, have reported little interest from many video stores.
On the plus side, the tape is available in chains such as Wherehouse, Tower, Blockbuster and Music Plus, as well as K mart. In some areas, Hall reported, video stores will let customers check it out free of charge.
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Perkins on Video: There are at least 33 films on home video featuring Anthony Perkins, who died Saturday. Most, like “Catch 22,” “Operation Terrorist,” “Desire Under the Elms” and “The Black Hole,” are minor movies or so-so majors.
The ground-breaking 1960 thriller “Psycho,” featuring Perkins as psychotic Norman Bates, is, of course, a must-see. But avoid the three sequels, featuring Perkins, that are merely routine slasher epics.
“Psycho” may be the best film he ever appeared in, but it doesn’t feature his finest performance. That’s in “Fear Strikes Out,” a harrowing 1957 drama detailing baseball star Jimmy Piersall’s bout with mental illness. In the demanding starring role, Perkins shows a range and intensity he never approached in any other performance. If you stumble on this hard-to-find movie buried in the classics section of some video store, it’s well worth renting.
Though some say the cult movie “Pretty Poison” is also a must-see and belongs with Perkins’ best, what seemed inventive in 1968 comes across now as fairly tame. It’s about an arsonist (Perkins) who is undone by his relationship with a sexy teen-ager (Tuesday Weld).
Perkins made one terrific family film, “Friendly Persuasion,” playing the spunky son of a stoic Quaker (Gary Cooper) struggling to maintain pacifist values during the Civil War. Perkins’ performance in this 1956 comedy/drama earned him a best supporting Oscar nomination.
Two recent releases of Perkins oldies, available in the $15 range, will be promoted in many video outlets. Both are worth a look. In “Tall Story” (1960), the fluffy romantic comedy about college basketball--most notable as co-star Jane Fonda’s first movie--Perkins got a rare chance to show off his light comedy skills. “Tin Star” (1957) is a first-rate Western, with Perkins as a rookie sheriff, featuring another Fonda--Henry this time.