Coming videos look attractive

Drug Store News, July 8, 1996

LOS ANGELES -- When the Video Software Dealer Association (VSDA) returns to the entertainment capital for its trade show this year, there is bound to be more hoopla than ever.

Video product is what it's all about. Here's a partial roundup of what's happening at VSDA that's of special interest to drug chains--there's still time to make those pre-book dates.

* BMG Video will launch the classic children's tale, "The Wind in the Willows Collection," featuring two animated programs based on the classic tales by Kenneth Grahame. "The Adventures of Mole" and "The Adventures of Toad" will be released following the TV debut on the Disney Channel ($14.98 each). An Aug. 4 FSI will offer $5 in coupons, including a $3 rebate from BMG Video, a $2 rebate from Curad and a 40 cents-off coupon from Dial. (Pre-book July 5, street date July 30).

Two new titles in The Cabbage Patch Kids, debuting on Aug. 20, include "The New Kid" and "The Clubhouse" ($12.98 each).

* Leading up to Buena Vista Home Video's huge fourth quarter release of "Toy Story" on Oct. 30 are:

"Oliver and Company," Disney's 27th full-length animated feature currently in its first theatrical re-release (originally released in 1988) with stars Bette Midler, Billy Joel, Joey Lawrence, Dom DeLuise, Cheech Marin and Huey Lewis. ($26.99; prebook Aug. 13, street date Sept. 25).

Tie-ins include a $5 instant rebate from Kodak with purchase of "Oliver and Company" or a Disney Masterpiece Collection title, plus a two-pack or 3 1 pack of Kodak Gold film. A $5 rebate is also available from Disney with purchase of the video and one other eligible Disney video.

The Princess Collection, featuring the most popular Disney female leads, now includes Belle of "Beauty and the Beast" when "Belle's Sing Me A Story" debuts in August. In another offering, Pooh's House of Happy Haunts Video Shop comes in a six-foot tall display (or in smaller display units) and includes two new titles: "Winnie the Pooh: Spookable Fun' ($14.99), which includes a free on-pack Pooh trick or treat bag.

The titles come with a consumer offer for a refund on any single Package ($2 rebate) or two packages ($5 rebate) of Halloween candy, with the purchase of two eligible Halloween titles. (Pre-book July 23, street date Sept. 4). Jim Henson Video's "Muppet Treasure Island" will make its home video debut as a swashbuckling pirate adventure with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and other Muppet characters ($22.99; pre-book July 30, street date Sept. 11). See more details on "Toy Story" in a later issue of Drug Store News.

Turner Home Entertainment (T.H.E.) presents new titles in its Cartoon Video Network: The Classic Scooby-Doo Collection ($12.98 for each volume) Pre-order July 9, street date Aug. 6. Offered at the same time is the new (to home video) Scooby-Doo cartoon film "Arabian Nights" ($14.98).

* Saban Home Entertainment, distributed by Warner Bros. through WEA, will release the children's live action title "Saban's Power Rangers ZEO: ZEO Quest," ($14.95; pre-book July 15, street date Aug. 6).

* Hallmark Home Entertainment presents the home video release of "Gulliver's Travels," the adaptation of Johathan Swift's classic novel originally aired as a miniseries on NBC this past February. With special effects from Jim Henson Productions, "Gulliver" stars Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen with Geraldine Chaplin, Omar Sharif and Peter O'Toole. Promotional support will include study-guide mailings to 60,000 schools and libraries ($24.98; pre-book Aug. 6, street date Aug. 27).

Also from Hallmark, "Robin of Locksley," the adventures of a modern day Robin Hood and a story of first love, is from the Showtime Original Picture for kids (July 16 prebook, street date Aug. 13).

"From the Crazy Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler," tells the tale of the brother and sister who take up residence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Nine classic Hallmark Hall of Fame productions include: "Sarah Plain and Tall" with Glen Close, "O Pioneers!" with Jessica Lange and "Foxfire: with Jessica Tandy. ($14.98 each; pre-book July 9, street date July 30).

* Sony Wonder will release three titles in the new live action series created for babies who love to watch other babies: "Baby It's You: Giggles and Gurgles," "Baby It's You: Multiple Madness" and "Baby It's You: Dirty Diaper Dancing" ($9.98 each; pre-book July 3, street date July 23).

* Six new MGM /UA Vintage Classics, priced at $19.98, include "On the Beach," "The Birdman of Alcatraz" and "The Manchuirian Candidate" (pre-book July 3, street date Aug. 6).

* Paramount introduces Paramount Family Favorites, a collection of classic and contemporary film:, for all ages. The first 11 titles range from "Lassie" to "Searching for Bobby Fisher" (street date Oct. 1). Paramount will also release episodes 99 to 102 of Star Trek: The Next Generation. ($14.98 each)

* MCA Universal Home Video offers the latest in its Universal Horror Classics, with four titles including "Curse of the Undead" ($14.98 each; pre-book July 22, street date Aug. 6).