POP IN A KIRK

After watching Kirk Douglas in “Take Me Home Again,” you may want to check out some of his classic films currently available on home video:

Champion (1949; Republic Home Video): Mark Robson directed this hard-hitting drama about an unscrupulous boxer who pulls no punches on his way to the top. Douglas received his first Oscar nomination for his unsympathetic portrait of the nasty pugilist. Marilyn Maxwell, Ruth Roman and Arthur Kennedy also star. Beware this colorized version also.

A Letter to Three Wives (1949; FoxVideo): One of Douglas’ few comedic films. Joseph Mankiewicz wrote and directed this delightful Oscar-winning comedy about a town flirt who writes a letter to three women stating she’s off with one of their husbands. But which one? Jeanne Crain, Ann Sothern and Linda Darnell play the suspecting wives. Douglas, Paul Douglas and Jeffrey Lynn are the possibly errant husbands. Celeste Holm supplies the voice of the flirt, Addie Ross. A real delight.

Young Man With a Horn (1950; Warner Home Video): Michael Curtiz directed this excellent drama with music inspired by horn player Bix Beiderbecke’s turbulent life. Douglas is terrific as a trumpet player obsessed with hitting the perfect note. Lauren Bacall is the bad girl with whom he becomes involved; Doris Day is the good girl who tries to save him. Juano Hernandez also excels as Douglas’ mentor.

The Bad and the Beautiful (1952; MGM/UA): One of the best Hollywood-produced films about Hollywood. Vincente Minnelli directed this Oscar winner about an ambitious Hollywood producer (Douglas) and his relationships with an actress (Lana Turner), a writer (Dick Powell) and a director (Barry Sullivan). Douglas received his second best actor nomination for his mesmerizing turn, but lost the Academy Award to Gary Cooper for “High Noon.” Great David Raksin score. Beware the colorized version.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954; Walt Disney Home Video): Walt Disney’s first live-action feature, released 40 years ago this month, is still a lot of fun. Douglas seems to be having a whale of a good time in the lively adaptation of the Jules Verne novel. He plays an effervescent sailor who encounters the power-mad Captain Nemo (James Mason) and his futuristic sub, the Nautilus. The climactic showdown with the giant squid is one of the film’s highlights.

Lust for Life (1956; MGM/UA): Douglas received his third Oscar nomination for his anguished portrayal of the tormented painter Vincent Van Gogh in director Vincente Minnelli’s bio-pic. Anthony Quinn won best supporting actor for his colorful role as Van Gogh’s friend, the painter Paul Gauguin.

Paths of Glory (1957; MGM/UA Home Video): Douglas produced and stars in this searing anti-war film that boosted the career of up-and-coming director Stanley Kubrick. Set during World War I, the haunting drama deals with a French general (George Macready) who sends his troops on a futile mission against the Germans. When they fail, he picks three soldiers to be tried and executed for cowardice. Douglas plays Colonel Dax, a lawyer before the war, who is now the commander of the battle-fatigued regiment.

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957; Paramount Home Video): Douglas and the late Burt Lancaster made several films together. And this John Sturges Western about Wyatt Earp and pal Doc Holliday’s legendary showdown with the Clanton gang is their best. Douglas and Lancaster are a perfect fit as the dying Holliday and the upstanding lawman Earp. Look for a young Dennis Hopper in a supporting role. Frankie Laine warbles the title tune.

Spartacus (1960; MCA/Universal): Three years after “Paths of Glory,” Douglas and Kubrick teamed up for this lavish spectacle about the rebellious slave who led the revolt for freedom against the Roman Empire. Douglas is perfectly cast as the brave, honorable Spartacus and he’s equally matched by Jean Simmons, Laurence Olivier and Peter Ustinov (who won a best supporting actor Oscar). Be sure to watch the beautiful 1991 restored version.

Lonely Are the Brave (1962; MCA/Universal): This modern-day Western is one of Douglas’ personal favorites. Dalton Trumbo wrote the script of the drama, which finds Douglas playing a rebellious cowboy on the lam. Douglas gives a finely etched portrait of a man caught in the modern world but clinging to the past. Walter Matthau and Gena Rowlands also star.