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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

‘Oliver Twist’ Shows Up In Two Versions

Faye Zuckerman New York Times Syndicate

The Walt Disney Co. delivers two versions of Charles Dickens’ 1838 classic “Oliver Twist” this weekend.

Young folks can see the young orphan battling for the rights of the poor in a new live-action movie on the “The Wonderful World of Disney” (ABC Sunday at 7) as well as in “Oliver & Company” (1988), an animated feature on The Disney Channel tonight at 7.

Oliver Twist is the infamous orphan who’s kicked out of a filthy workhouse for asking for more food. He heads to London in hopes of finding his long-lost family.

Instead, he hooks up with a group of young thieves and learns the tricks of the trade from an old master named Fagin.

Both of these adaptations are fine for young kids.

In Sunday’s version, Richard Dreyfuss steals the show as Fagin, who teaches his gang of young pickpockets to rob from the rich. Elijah Wood is a charmer as the Artful Dodger, a thief with a heart of gold.

As for “Oliver & Company,” there’s a twist to the classic here. It has been moved from Victorian England to contemporary New York City.

Oliver is a cat, who hooks up with street-smart dogs. There are songs such as “Perfect Isn’t Easy” and “Once Upon a Time In New York City” and recognizable voices (Billy Joel, Bette Midler and Robert Loggia).

The cartoon’s show-stopper is Cheech Marin as a zany chihuahua. He has all the best lines.

Highlights

“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” CBS tonight at 8: Pull out some hankies for this touching and teary two-parter in which a diphtheria outbreak causes pain and suffering for Quinn’s family.

“Medusa’s Child” (1997), ABC Sunday and Thursday at 9: John J. Nance’s suspenseful novel (“Pandora’s Clock”) has been transformed into a two-part, high-flying nail-biter as the crew and passengers aboard a cargo plane realize they are transporting a live nuclear device (named Medusa) to Washington, D.C.

Before long the incident turns into a political turf war among the FBI, CIA and the Department of Defense. This movie has lots of scary theories about what’s wrong with intelligence in this country and the actual power of the president (Martin Sheen).

“Bella Mafia (1997), CBS Sunday and Tuesday at 9: This two-part blood-and-guts organized crime soap opera, based on Lynda La Plante’s book, uses Part 1 to show us how Mafia men meet women, marry and die.

Mostly, the marriages are arranged by the family, unless you look like Nastassja Kinski and get hit by a car outside of a don’s estate. Then you end up marrying one of the sons.

Such coincidences and contrived plot twists drive this long, drawn-out tale that never delivers anything more than gratuitous violence and fashionable outfits worn by the wives (Jennifer Tilly, Kinski and Illeana Douglas).

“Batman Forever” (1995), NBC Sunday at 8:30: It’s the same old story: Batman fights bad guys (Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones) and then saves a damsel in distress.

“The X-Files,” FOX Sunday at 9: Agent Scully is absent from this enlightening hour, which flashes back to 1989 Baltimore to show us how Mulder becomes obsessed with proving the existence of extraterrestrials. On hand to give this episode extra grit and suspense is Richard Belzer in his “Homicide: Life On The Street” role.

Cable Calls

“Don King: Only in America” (1997), HBO tonight at 8: The controversial fight promoter is raked over the coals in this warts-and-all biography about his rise to fame. It’s a rags-to-riches via intimidation story filled with scenes of how King would manipulate, blackmail, threaten and even use physical force to get what he wanted.

Ving Rhames portrays King too believably. At times you actually believe it’s King playing himself.

“19th Annual CableACE Awards,” TNT tonight at 6: The awards show honoring original programming on cable is hosted by David Hyde Pierce and Sela Ward. Michael Bolton and Shawn Colvin are expected to perform.

The popular HBO comedy “The Larry Sanders Show” leads the pack with 15 nominations.