Stocking Stuffers, From ‘Baseball’ to ‘The Sopranos’

A plethora of gifts awaits the video and DVD aficionado in your life, with documentaries, gift sets, musicals, sports programs and Christmas-themed specials in the offing.

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General Interest

“BASEBALL,” DVD, Warner Home Video ($179.98). Ken Burns’ 1994 Emmy-winning documentary miniseries about America’s greatest pastime features the nine-hour documentary, the companion program “The Making of Baseball,” stats for each major team, illustrated timelines, on-screen baseball cards and a multiple-choice trivia game.

“GREATEST MOMENTS IN SUPER BOWL HISTORY,” DVD, USA Home Entertainment ($24.95). This digital look at the milestones in Super Bowl history include multi-camera angles of famous plays; commentary from the players; two original broadcasts of vintage games; a photo gallery of Super Bowl memorabilia; facts, stats and trivia; and bios and stats on unsung heroes of the game.

“ANNIE,” video or DVD, Columbia Tristar ($14.95 for VHS; $24.95 for DVD). John Huston directed this lavish 1982 adaptation of the hit Broadway musical about Little Orphan Annie and Daddy Warbucks. Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, Ann Reinking and Aileen Quinn star. The DVD features original advertising and talent files.

“THE SOPRANOS,” video or DVD, HBO Home Video ($99.92 for five-volume VHS; $99.98 for four-disc DVD set). Available Dec. 12. The complete first season of the acclaimed, award-winning HBO series about a Mafia family stars James Gandolfini as modern-day mob boss Tony Soprano and Edie Falco as his wife. The DVD includes an extensive interview with creator David Chase, audio commentary by Chase of the first episodes and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

“A CENTURY OF LIONEL TRAINS,” video, TM Books & Video ($29.95). Train buff Tom Snyder narrates a chronicle of the popular American icon. The two-video set relates the history of the Lionel train and demonstrates examples of the best-selling toy trains-the Hudson, Blue Comet, Flying Yankee, and the Red and Silver Santa F-3 diesel.

“THE BRADY BUNCH HOUR,” video or DVD, Rhino Home Video ($14.95 each or $24.95 for the VHS twin pack; $19.95 for the DVD). After “The Brady Bunch’ went off the air in the mid-’70s. the stars returned in 1978 for the ABC musical special “The Brady Bunch Hour.” The show was such a hit, it was picked up for eight more episodes. Rhino is offering two episodes. Guest stars Donny and Marie Osmond, Tony Randall and Vincent Price.

“PINOCCHIO” DVD, VCI Home Video ($24.95). A sparking 1976 TV musical version of the children’s tale stars Sandy Duncan as the marionette who becomes a little boy and Danny Kaye as the lonely Gepetto. Liz Torres and Flip Wilson also star.

“PIPPIN--SPECIAL EDITION,” DVD, VCI Home Video ($24.99). Ben Vereen, William Katt, Martha Raye and Chita Rivera star in this taped 1981 version of the Tony Award-winning 1972 Broadway musical about the odyssey of Charlemagne’s son, Pippin. The DVD features an interview with the late director Bob Fosse, biographies and a stills gallery.

“DOLPHINS,” video or DVD, Image Entertainment ($19.98 video; $24.99 DVD). Pierce Brosnan narrates this splendid Imax film about the marvelous, intelligent mammals. Sting supplies the music. The DVD features a documentary on the making of the movie.

“GIMME SHELTER,” DVD, Criterion ($39.95). Rolling Stones fans will probably get a lot of satisfaction from the restored version of the classic 1970 concert film directed by Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin. The disc includes never-before-seen performances by the Stones, audio commentary from the director, a booklet, a restoration demonstration, trailers, a radio broadcast and a stills gallery.

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Holiday Themes

“CHRISTMAS IN SOUTH PARK,” video or DVD, Warner Home Video ($14.95 each for video or $39.98 for three-pack; $19.98 each for DVD). The outrageous Comedy Central animated hit celebrates the holidays with two classic episodes, “Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics” and “Merry Christmas Charlie Manson.” Also featured is the British documentary “Goin’ Down to South Park: The Best of South Park.” “The Chef Experience” disc includes the episode “Chef Aid” and the documentary “Chef Aid: Behind the Menu.” The DVDs include extra episodes such as “Chinpolo Mon” and “Succubus.”

“CHRISTMAS GLORY FROM WESTMINSTER,” video, Home Vision ($19.95). Andrea Bocelli, Charlotte Church and the choir of Westminster Abbey perform in this holiday concert at the abbey. The hourlong program also features Christmas readings and poetry.

“A NAXONS MUSICAL JOURNEY-

CHRISTMAS GOES BAROQUE,” DVD, DVD International ($19.98). A European holiday tour shot in such colorful locales as Zurich and the Toy Museum in Nuremberg, Germany, and featuring such classic holiday tunes as “Jingle Bells” and “The First Noel” done in the style of Bach, Handel and Vivaldi.

“WHITE CHRISTMAS,” DVD, Paramount Home Entertainment ($29.99). The digital version of the popular 1954 yuletide musical starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen contains wide-screen restored version of the hit, two theatrical trailers, a retrospective interview with Clooney and an audio commentary by Clooney. Irving Berlin’s songs include the title tune and “Sisters.”

“THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS,” video or DVD, Warner Home Video ($14.95 VHS; $19.98 DVD). Shirley Booth and Mickey Rooney supply the voices for the popular 1974 stop-motion animated TV classic. Also featured on the DVD are the animated treats “Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey,” narrated by Roger Miller, and “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year,’ with the voice of Red Skelton as Father Time.

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL,” video or DVD. Warner Home Video ($14.95 VHS; $19.95 DVD). Patrick Stewart stars as Charles Dickens’ miserable miser, Scrooge, in this 1999 TV version of the beloved holiday tale that also features Joel Grey. The DVD includes behind-the-scenes footage of the production.

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL,” video or DVD, VCI Home Entertainment ($14.99 VHS; $19.99 for DVD or $29.95 for double-sided disc with both colorized and black-and- white versions). Splendid 1951 British version of the Dickens’ classic stars the wonderful Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge. A young Patrick Macnee of “The Avengers” is also featured.