A Few Gems and a ‘Beauty’

This is the time of year when families can take a break from looking at regular programming and buy videos for their children to watch over and over again.

There’s plenty to choose from: “This year, as far as trends go, the big-league film and video companies work are coming into fruition ... more and more fine work is being done,” says Diana Huss Green, executive editor of Parent’s Choice, a children’s media review that features annual video awards.

Green notes that the strongest move toward quality is for the 3- to 6-year-olds, with the biggest void for the 7- to 12-year-olds.

The following is a selective look at some available kid vids, including some Parent’s Choice honorees.

Bryan Adams and Lauren Bacall provide the voices for The Real Story of the Three Little Kittens (Golden Book $12.95). Available Jan. 15. For ages 2 to 8.

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Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories (MCA/Universal, $12.95) features stars such as Bette Midler, Maureen Stapleton, Ringo Starr and Rick Moranis. Parent’s Choice winner. For ages 3 to 6.

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Dreadlocks and the Three Bears (Inter Image $14.95), created by an African-American filmmaker, reinvents the classic fairy-tale, where the heroine is “a little cinnamon brown girl” with “curly, curly, kinky, curly, nappy, curly twists and locks of hair.” For ages 3 to 8.

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MGM/UA has released The Golden Age of Looney Tunes’ Collection ($12.95 each, $79.92 set) featuring volumes highlighting “1930’s Musicals,” “Firsts,” “Tex Avery,” “Bob Clampett,” “Chuck Jones,” “Fritz Freleng,” “Bugs Bunny by Each Director,” “1940s Zanies,” “Hooray for Hollywood” and “The Art of Bugs.” For ages 3 and up.

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Four new The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (Buena Vista $12.99 each) are available, featuring not only the squirrel and the moose, but Dudley Do-Right, Fractured Fairy Tales, Peabody and Sherman and Mr. Know-It-All. For ages 3 and up.

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Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (Golden Books, $12.95) tells the tale of Mike and his steam shovel, Mary Ann. Parent’s Choice winner. For ages 4 to 6.

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The 1948 Academy Award-winning fable So Dear to My Heart (Walt Disney Home Video $24.99) combines live action and animation in a tale about a boy and his pet lamb. Stars Burl Ives and Bobby Driscoll. For ages 4 and up.

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The $145-million box-office hit Beauty and the Beast (Walt Disney Home Video $24.99) is available now through April 1993. The film, nominated for six Academy Awards, features original music and songs. For ages 5 and up.

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W.C. Fields said that he wouldn’t work with children or dogs, since they stole the limelight. Charles Grodin obviously doesn’t mind since he stars in the MCA/Universal release Beethoven ($24.95, MPAA rating PG-13), featuring a bevy of children and a giant dog. For ages 8 and up.

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Because of their higher cost, Parent’s Choice awarded three films “best for group viewing”. Check local libraries and/or selected video stores for Time Out: The Truth About AIDS, HIV and You (Paramount), In the Shadow of Love: A Teen AIDS Story (Coronet/MTI), and AIDS: Taking Action (All Media Productions). For ages 12 and up.

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Some holiday releases (it is the season to be jolly, after all):

Shining Time Station Holiday Special: Tis a Gift (A*Vision, $14.98)), based on the PBS series and featuring holiday songs and a winter escapade. For ages 2 to 11.

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Snuffy, the Elf Who Saved Christmas (LIVE $12.98) features an elf headed for retirement who becomes the holiday’s saving grace when all the others succumb to “sleeping sand.” For ages 3 to 8.

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Christmas Stories (Wood Knapp Videos $14.95) is a collection of four holiday tales, including “The Little Drummer Boy.” For ages 3 to 9.