Video buyers guide: July - December 1997

Drug Store News, July 14, 1997 by Allene Symons

LIVE will also repromote seven theatrical titles in its Super 7 III promotion, including Academy Award winners "Platoon" and "Sophie's Choice." These and five other titles will be promoted in a $3 mail-in rebate coupon in Day Runner Planners (rebate good with purchase of any two of the Super 7 titles). ($9.98 each; prebook July 29, Aug. 19 street date.)

For more information call Mark Roche, vice president of marketing, (818) 778-3227.

Lyrick Studios Video will feature the new direct-to-video title "Barney's Adventure Bus," based on the PBS television program series, ($14.95; pre-book Aug. 5, street date Sept. 2), also a re-release of "Barney Waiting for Santa," plus two titles in the Francesco's Friendly World series, a faith and values series based on the character of St. Francis of Assisi, including "The Gifts of Christmas" and "The Broken Cross" ($14.95 each; pre-book Aug. 19, street date Sept. 16), also "Barney Good Day, Good Night" (direct-to-home video) ($14.95; pre-order Oct. 7, street date Nov. 4) and in the Kids for Character series, a new title "Choices" ($14.95; pre-order Nov. 18, street date Dec. 16).

For more information call Gail Plotkin, national sales manager, (800) 418-2371.

MGM Home Video is featuring new additions to its Vintage Classics collection including ""The Fortune Cookie," "Irma La Douce," the original version of Robert Aldrich's "Kiss Me Deadly" (with a restored 82-second ending that changes the film's meaning). Other titles in the collection include "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Paths of Glory," "Pride and Prejudice" and "Woman of the Year" ($19.98 each; pre-book July 8, street date Aug. 12).

Also from MGM, six spine tinglers in its Contemporary Classics Collection, including "Scanners," "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," "Species," "The Hunger" and "Poltergiest" ($14.95 each; pre-book Aug. 5, street date Aug. 26).

For more information call Mollie Kronberg executive director of sales, (310) 449-3541.

Paramount Home Video will feature Showtime Comedy, with Showtime comedy specials, each with two shows: "Jeff Foxworthy: Check Your Neck/Jeff Foxworthy: You Might be a Redneck;" also "Tim Allen: Men are Pigs/Tim Allen Rewires America;" and "Brett Butler: Sold Out/Brett Butler: The Child Ain't Right." (Each two-show tape is $19.95; street date Aug. 26).

Also from Paramount, "It was my best birthday ever, Charlie Brown," with daredevil Linus and golden-voiced Mimi, who he invites to his birthday party. ($14.95; street date Aug. 26).

In the Star Trek series, two new collections are coming, prices at $14.95 each "Deep Space Nine: Episodes 23 to 26" (September) and "Deep Space Nine: Episodes 27 to 30" (November).

Five titles in the Nickelodeon Holiday series include: "Rugrats Chanukah" ($12.95), "Doug" ($9.95), "Hey Arnold" ($12.95), "Rocko's Modern Life" ($9.95) and "Ren & Stimpy" ($9.95). From Nick Jr. Holiday comes "Little Bear" ($9.95), "Eureeka's Castle" and "Allege's Window Catalog." All eight titles street on Oct. 7.

Also from Paramount, 15 new titles in its Family Favorites line, including animated and live-action films. Three classic Paramount catalog titles featured in a cross-promotion with Max Factor are "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "The Great Gatsby" and "Flashdance."