Director William Wellman’s Films Available On Video

Several video companies have mined their vaults and come up with a rich selection of comedies, dramas and foreign films.

Kino’s latest collection spotlights the legendary William Wellman, who directed the first Oscar-winning best picture, “Wings,” as well as such renowned movies as “Public Enemy” “The Ox-Bow Incident” and “The High and the Mighty.”

New from Kino are deluxe editions of two of Wellman’s most famous films ($25 each), both of which were released in 1937: “A Star Is Born,” the ultimate Hollywood story starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, and “Nothing Sacred,” one of the zaniest screwball comedies ever made, starring Carole Lombard and March.

Kino also is offering “Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick” ($30), a terrifically entertaining documentary, produced by his son William Wellman Jr. and narrated by Alec Baldwin. The film, seen last year on TNT, offers an intimate portrait of this tough, temperamental director who made 76 films during his 35-year career. Included are clips, plus interviews with Sidney Poitier, Robert Redford and James Garner. To order any of the Wellman films, call (800) 562-3330.

Another Hollywood legend, Bob Hope, celebrated his 94th birthday recently. To commemorate this event, MGM is serving up three comedies ($15 each) starring the beloved comedian. The less said about the dreadful 1967 Hope vehicle “Eight on a Lam” the better, but the other two films are fun.

Hope and Lucille Ball give rather subdued performances in the sophisticated 1960 comedy “The Facts of Life,” which was deftly written by the team of Melvin Frank and Norman Panama. Nominated for five Oscars (it won for costume design), the comedy finds the two playing married friends who have an affair. Don Defore and Ruth Hussey play their spouses.

A handsome Laurence Olivier turns on the charm in the rarely seen 1943 British comedy “The Demi-Paradise” (Hallmark, $15). Olivier plays a Russian nautical engineer who experiences culture shock when he arrives in England before World War II to sell his modernistic ship propeller. Slightly dated, but very sweet.