Variety of Video Dads to See on Father’s Day

There have been funny movie dads. Bad movie dads. Loving movie dads. Stern movie dads. If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, why not watch some of the diverse patriarchal flicks currently available on video?

Forget the popular Steve Martin remake and check out the Vincente Minnelli-directed 1950 comedy “Father of the Bride” (MGM/UA, $15), starring Spencer Tracy in an Oscar-nominated turn as a devoted father who can’t cope when he learns his beloved only daughter (a radiant Elizabeth Taylor) is getting hitched. Avoid the colorized version!

The robust and sexy Sean Connery was the perfect choice to play Indiana Jones’ (Harrison Ford) scholarly, blustery pop in 1989’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (Paramount, $15), the action-packed third installment in the Steven Spielberg-directed adventure series.

The charming 1947 comedy “Life With Father” (Congress, $10) is based on the writings of Clarence Day Jr. (Jimmy Lyndon), chronicling his childhood in New York at the turn of the century with his loving but stern father (a delectable, Oscar-nominated William Powell) and his sweet-natured mother (Irene Dunne). Adapted from the long-running Broadway play.

Roland Giraud, Michel Boujenah and Andre Dussollier star in “Three Men and a Cradle” (MGM/UA), the 1985 Oscar-nominated French hit comedy about three bachelors living together who find themselves taking care of a baby girl. Directed by Coline Serreau. Far superior to the enormously popular 1987 American remake “Three Men and a Baby” (Touchstone, $20), starring Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steven Guttenberg.

Gene Hackman and Melvyn Douglas both received Oscar nominations for their moving performances in 1970’s “I Never Sang for My Father” (Columbia TriStar). Based on Robert Anderson’s intimate play, this drama deals with a devoted son (Hackman) who must choose between caring for his elderly father (Douglas) or moving away to marry the woman he loves. Directed by Gilbert Cates.

Douglas received a best supporting Oscar for his indelible performance of the stern, grizzled cattle rancher who disapproves of his rebellious, hard-drinking son (Paul Newman) in the searing 1963 drama “Hud” (Paramount). Patricia Neal, also an Oscar winner, and Brandon DeWilde offer fine support in director Martin Ritt’s classic.

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TV: Polygram Video is releasing two more installments of the hilarious British comedy series “Mr. Bean” ($20 each): “The Terrible Tales of Mr. Bean” and “The Perilous Pursuits of Mr. Bean.” The comic wonder Rowan Atkinson stars as the outrageous, childlike Bean.

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Oldies and a Goodie: Martin Scorsese personally supervised the pristine film-to-tape transfer of his underrated 1983 black comedy “The King of Comedy” (Warner, $20), starring Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis.

Ursula Andress and then hubby John Derek star in 1965’s “Once Before I Die” (Warner, $20), a silly, self-indulgent World War II action flick. Derek also directed.

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Documentary: “Lindbergh’s Great Race: Are There Any Mechanics Here?” (Goldhil, $30) is a terrific documentary about Charles Lindbergh and his historical flight from New York to Paris in 1927. Five years in the making, the documentary boasts wonderful, rare archival footage and little-known sound recordings. To order call (805) 495-0735.

If you loved “The Civil War” or “Baseball,” you’ll definitely want to check out “Ken Burns’ America” (PBS Home Video, $15 each, $90 for the set), a seven-volume set of Burns’ other acclaimed historical documentaries: “The Statue of Liberty,” “Brooklyn Bridge,” “The Congress,” “The Empire of the Air,” “Thomas Hart Benton,” “Huey Long” and “The Shakers.”

“Buckminster Fuller: Thinking Out Loud” (Zeitgeist, $40) is the first retrospective look at the life and work of the innovative, controversial thinker since his death in 1993. The documentary features archival footage and commentaries from friends and colleagues.

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Killer Bs: Too bad “Mystery Science Theater 3000” is canceled, because Mike and the ‘bots would have a field day with “The Maddening” (Vidmark), a camp delight starring Burt Reynolds and Angie Dickinson as a couple of loony tunes holding poor Mira Sara captive.

A great cast--Aidan Quinn, Sir John Gielgud, Anthony Andrews and Anna Massey--breathes life into the slick but rather farfetched ghost story “Haunted” (Evergreen).

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Coming Next Week: Al Pacino and Robert De Niro star in Michael Mann’s thriller “Heat” (Warner).

Ian McKellen plays Shakespeare’s evil monarch “Richard III” (MGM/UA).

Oscar winner Mira Sorvino and Woody Allen star in the comedy “Mighty Aphrodite” (Miramax).

Jennifer Ward-Lealand stars in “Desperate Remedies” (Paramount), a visually stunning, exotic and erotic period drama from New Zealand. Truly offbeat.

Dana Delany, Cynthia Stevenson and Kim Cattrall headline the ribald comedy “Live Nude Girls” (Republic). . . . Also new: “The Wooden Man’s Bride” (Evergreen); “Two-Bits & Pepper” (Republic); “Showgirl Murders” (New Horizons); “Sawbones” (New Horizons).