Going Back in Time With ‘Hullabaloo’

Feeling groovy? Ready to twist the night away? Wanna dance the frug, the monkey and the wa-wa-wa-tusi?

Then put on your miniskirts, bell-bottoms and boots and boogie to the beat of “Hullabaloo” (MPI, $80 for the set; $20 per tape), the delectably campy blast from the past that aired on NBC in 1965-66. Last year, MPI released the first four volumes of episodes from the musical-variety series--the Peacock network’s answer to ABC’s hit “Shindig”--and now four more are out.

Each week, “Hullabaloo” featured a host, several musical guests, a visit with Beatles manager Brian Epstein in London and a number at the Hullabaloo-a-go-go. Tony Award-winning Donna McKecknie was one of the “Hullabaloo” dancers.

The hosts and guests featured on each tape are:

Vol. 5.--Original airdate: Feb. 16, 1965. Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello host. Musical guests include the Kinks performing “You Really Got Me” and “All Day and All Night,” Dobie Gray singing “The ‘In’ Crowd,” Freddie and the Dreamers doing the Freddie to “I’m Telling You Now,” and Jr. Walker & the All Stars singing “Shotgun.”

Vol. 6--Airdate: Nov. 15, 1965. Barry McGuire of “The Eve of Destruction” hosts. The highlight is the Rolling Stones singing “Get Off My Cloud.”

Airdate: April 4, 1966. Soupy Sales hosts and presents his sons’ group Tony & the Tigers. The Young Rascals also perform “Good Lovin’ ” and an angelic Marianne Faithful sings “As Tears Go By.”

Vol. 7--Airdate: Sept. 27, 1965. David McCullum is the host. The Animals sing “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” and the Beau Brummels perform “Catch Us if You Can.”

Airdate: March 28, 1966. Chad & Jeremy host. The Outsiders sing “Time Won’t Let Me,” Len Barry does “1-2-3” and the Supremes perform “I Hear a Symphony.”

Vol. 8--Airdate: Nov. 1, 1965. Host Peter Noone and his group Herman’s Hermits perform “I’m Henry the VIII.” The Lovin’ Spoonful dish out “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice.”

Airdate: Oct. 25, 1965. Petula Clark hosts and sings “Round Every Corner.” Sam & the Sham and the Pharaohs perform “Ring Dang Doo,” the Toys trill “Lover’s Concerto” and a very young Steve Miller sings “The Mother Song,” with his Miller-Goldberg Band.

New Releases: Arriving Tuesday is “Boomerang” (FoxVideo, $20), Elia Kazan’s riveting 1947 semi-documentary about a real-life murder trial starring the always reliable Dana Andrews.

“Ring of Bright Water” (FoxVideo, $14) is an enchanting 1969 family film about a man and his pet otter. Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers of “Born Free” fame star.

Killer Bs: New This Tuesday: “Backlash: Oblivion II” (Full Moon) is a quirky, tongue-in-cheek sci-fi western starring Richard Joseph Paul, Julie Newmar, Isaac Hayes and Meg Foster.

“Condition Red” (Arrow) is a trite drama about a prison guard (James Russo) who falls for a beautiful prisoner (Cynda Williams). Williams also stars in “Black Rose of Harlem” (New Horizons), a duller-than-dishwater mob drama that also stars Nick Cassavetes.

Former ‘70s teen dream Leif Garrett resurfaces in “The Whispering” (A-Pix), a silly bit of hooey about an evil woman who lures people to their death.

Web Site: Paramount Home Video has launched a new Web site on the information superhighway featuring a search engine called “Store Search,” which directs video consumers to their nearest video store. The Web site is available by typing: https://www.paramount.con/homevideo.

Coming Next Week: “Balto” (MCA/Universal, $20) is an animated adventure about brave Alaskan sled dogs that deliver serum to save children from an epidemic in 1925.

Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle star in Carl Franklin’s critically acclaimed murder mystery “Devil in a Blue Dress” (Columbia TriStar).

Amanda Root stars in “Persuasion” (Columbia TriStar), director Roger Michell’s enchanting version of the Jane Austen classic.

Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett star in the misfire thriller “Strange Days” (FoxVideo).

Holly Hunter stars in the Jodie Foster-directed comedy “Home for the Holidays” (Polygram).