Videos Offer Everything From Flying to Tie Tying
Special-interest videos cover a grab bag of subjects these days--from tips on tying your tie to learning how to look younger without going under the knife. Here’s a look at some of these offbeat tapes currently in release:
“Fly the Big Jets: An Inside Look at the Airline Transportation” (Victory Audio Video Services, $20) guides viewers through the training process for today’s pilots and offers a front-row view of a typical jet flight from Chicago to Dallas. The video, though, fails to take flight, mainly because of a painfully hokey animated character named Whirly who keeps popping in and out of the proceedings. To order: (800) 795-5565.
“Tie Tying and More” (World Premiere Productions, $15) must be for guys who wear clip-ons. The 30-minute tape offers tips on how to tie the four-in-hand knot, the half-Windsor, the classic bow and the Windsor. Perhaps a video on how to tie shoelaces will be next. To order: (214) 354-9926.
Uncle Miltie dishes out the one-liners and even masquerades as Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda in “Milton Berle’s Low Impact/High Comedy Workout” (3 Ring Productions, $15). All kidding aside, though, the nifty video features senior fitness expert Merrily Smith leading seniors through a series of exercises designed for ages 50 to 100. After the workout, Berle presents a low-cal menu. To order: (800) HEROES1
“Jodi Stolove’s Chair Dancing” (Chair Dancing International, $20) offers an aerobic workout for ages 5 to 95 where one can “exercise to the beat without leaving your seat.” It’s a couch potato’s dream. But the relentlessly perky Stolove and her chair dancers will make you bonkers. To order: (800) 551-4FUN.
“Learn Basic Social Dance” (Good Times, $30 each) is one of five how-to-dance videos featuring the spunky, grandmotherly Mary Lou Kaye who, according to the video, is an award-winning master dance teacher and studio owner with 20 years of experience. Production values aren’t great, but Kaye has a nice sense of humor and serves up fun tips on the art of social dancing. Also available from Kaye are videos on wedding dances and the polka. To order: (602) 491-4942.
Meredith MacRae of “Petticoat Junction” fame hosts “The 15 Minute Acupressure Face Lift” (Goldhil, $20), which offers ways to relax one’s face featuring Catherine “Cat” Politte. Described as the “acupressurist to the stars,” Politte demonstrates how to maintain skin tone and complexion. Her exercises supposedly will reduce facial puffiness, tension and double chins if you do them for at least 15 minutes a day. Also included are interviews with a dermatologist and acupuncturist.
“Look Fabulous Whatever Your Shape or Size” (Carolvision) offers sound advice on how to find the appropriate clothing for one’s body size. The 25-minute tape is pricey, though, at $25.
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Documentaries: Movie stars weren’t the only ones to sell war bonds and perform for the troops during World War II; Bugs Bunny, Donald Duck and other animated stars also contributed to the war effort. A&E;’s insightful “Cartoons Go to War” ($25) examines how government-sponsored and studio-generated animated shorts aided wartime strategy and morale. Included is a healthy serving of clips. To order: (800) 423-1212.
New from Goldhil Home Media is “The Churchills” ($40), the acclaimed PBS documentary miniseries examining Winston Churchill and his famed British political family.
“Catastrophe! The Hollywood Disaster” (Brentwood, $15) is an OK two-tape set that chronicles, mainly through trailers, the great and not-so-great movie disaster flicks.
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Oldie but Goodie: Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan, Paul Douglas and Marilyn Monroe star in the moody 1952 Clifford Odets’ melodrama “Clash by Night” (Turner Classic Movies, $20). Fritz Lang directed.
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Killer Bs: “The Crude Oasis” (Paramount) is an off-beat little thriller that, unfortunately, runs out of steam by the finale. Jennifer Taylor plays a fragile Kansas housewife haunted by recurring nightmares who meets the stranger (Aaron Shields) from her dreams.
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Coming Next Week: Sally Field, Ed Harris and Kiefer Sutherland star in John Schlesinger’s suspense thriller “Eye for an Eye” (Paramount).
Martial arts great Jackie Chan stars in “Rumble in the Bronx” (New Line).
Jeanne Moreau and Michel Serrault play a couple of charming swindlers in the French comedy-drama “The Old Lady Who Walked In the Sea” (Evergreen).
Adam Sandler is a hockey-wannabe-turned-golf-pro in “Happy Gilmore” (MCA/Universal).
James Earl Jones and Richard Harris star in “Cry, the Beloved Country” (Miramax), an adaptation of Alan Paton’s novel.
Mark Rylance and Patsy Kensit star in the erotic “Angels and Insects” (Evergreen).
Madonna, Bruce Willis and Tim Roth are featured in the ill-fated “Four Rooms” (Miramax).
Fairuza Balk and Lenny Von Dohlen star in the quirky comedy “Tollbooth” (New Line).
Daniel Roebuck is Jay Leno and John Michael Higgins plays David Letterman in “The Late Shift” (HBO Video). . . . Also new: “Marshal Law” (MGM/UA); “Frame by Frame” (Republic).
