Disney Channel presents the unvarnished version of King’s life and time

Whereas Spike Lee placed his indelible mark on the much-heralded current theatrical release “Malcolm X,” King: A Filmed Record ... From Montgomery to Memphis uses only the actual words and actions of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose day is celebrated Monday.

The 1970 documentary offers no narration and bridges the events of King’s life with a series of symbolic readings ranging from the Bible to black poetry, from John Brown to John F. Kennedy. The readings are done by Harry Belafonte, Ruby Dee, Ben Gazzara, Charlton Heston, James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman, Anthony Quinn, Clarence Williams III and Joanne Woodward.

Included are commentaries from King’s supporters and detractors.

Material for the film was gathered from the archives of major U.S. news film sources. Much of the footage has never been seen before.

“King: A Filmed Record ... From Montgomery to Memphis” airs Monday 9-11 p.m. on the Disney Channel. For ages 8 and up.

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MORE FAMILY SHOWS

More about King might be gathered from the rebroadcast of the 1978 NBC miniseries King (Sunday noon-6 p.m. Family Channel), starring Paul Winfield, Cicely Tyson and Ossie Davis. The miniseries was shot on location throughout key U.S. cities that dominated the civil rights movement. For ages 8 and up.

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King’s visions are invoked in The Ernest Green Story (Sunday 7-9 p.m. Disney), the true story of a young man who defied racism and violence to pursue his dream of a better education. Green was the only senior among nine black students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957. (See story, Page 75). King is also portrayed in the story. For ages 8 and up.

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On what would have been Danny Kaye’s 79th birthday--Monday--AMC pays a double-feature tribute to the actor, starting with his first film, 1944’s Up in Arms (4-6 p.m.), which, despite some unfortunate Asian stereotyping, is highlighted by a smashing finale with Kaye and co-star Dinah Shore. Next up is 1956’s The Court Jester (6-8 p.m.), which features a lovely “bad girl” in Angela Lansbury and the famous “vessel with the pessel” tongue twister--the variety of which Kaye was so good at. For ages 7 and up.

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The path to popularity is paved with many a disappointed soul, but for The Young Musician (Tuesday 8:30-10:15 a.m. Showtime), once an outcast, it might not be as hard as it is for us regular mortals. For ages 6 to 12.

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Although it may be too intense for younger viewers, Lifestories: Families in Crisis presentation of “No Visible Bruises, the Katie Koestner Story” (Thursday 1-1:30 p.m. HBO) can provide a lot of discussion material for older kids and their families. The true story is about a naive young woman who finds herself in a date-rape situation with one of her school’s biggest “hunks.” For ages 13 and up.

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For its one-year anniversary, KIDS TV: Making a Difference (Thursday 7:30-8 p.m. Showtime) chronicles the creation of the show. Flashbacks show the cast members deciding to do something with their lives, which eventually leads to the show. For ages 5 to 10.

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Roundhouse (Saturday 8:30-9 p.m. Nickelodeon) spoofs Sports and Olympic endorsements with the skits “Cheerleaders Anonymous” and “Sheebok Pump Training Bra.” Paula Abdul, whose “Promise of a New Day” was lampooned on “In Living Color” as “Promise of a Thin Me,” gets a gentler jab in “Paula Abdul-Jabbar.” Songs include “Flop Sweat” and “I Can Dream.” For ages 8 to 13.