Choices plentiful for new crop of DVDs
Thanksgiving’s over and the holiday shopping season has kicked into high gear. We have stacks of new DVD products higher than a snowdrift, much of it centered on seasonal themes.
While we’ll leave the naughty-and-nice lists up to the fat man in the red suit, we take perfect pleasure in helping you sort sure-fire stocking stuffers from the lumps of coal:
“”Alvin and the Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Christmas” (Paramount, $14.99)
The secret to those Chipmunk squeaks had nothing to do with inhaling helium – it was all in everyday voice tapes played back at double speed.
The man behind Alvin, Simon and Theodore was Ross Bagdasarian, who had a No. 1 hit song with “Christmas Don’t Be Late” in 1958. Though Bagdasarian died in 1972, the franchise continued, with voice duties handled by his wife and son.
The three Christmas episodes here date from the 1980s, and this collection includes “A Chipmunk Christmas,” produced by Warner Bros. animation legend Chuck Jones.
Where it belongs under your tree: A versatile gift that, depending on your point of view, can be used to evoke holiday warm and fuzzies or exact sonic revenge for tidings of underwear and socks.
“”America’s Funniest Home Videos: Home for the Holidays” (Shout Factory, $14.98)
I have mixed feelings about this franchise. Maybe I’m one of the few who preferred host Tom Bergeron (seen on one of the three holiday episodes here). But there was always something slippery about the ever-smiling Bob Saget, who strikes me as having all the emotional warmth of a washing machine.
Then there’s the series premise itself, built largely around taking pleasure in the misery and misfortune of others. How many times are you going to want to watch these videos? Are they truly funny after the third time?
Where it belongs under your tree: How about on top of the tree? Just reach a little higher. No … wait, not too close. Uh oh! (Slip. Fall. Cued laughter.)
“”The Brian Setzer Orchestra: Christmas Extravaganza” (Surfdog Records, $19.99)
Granted, Brian Setzer has gotten lots of mileage – perhaps too much – from extending the glory days of the Stray Cats and the swing music revival. But think about it: Didn’t the Stray Cats start as a rockabilly retro act? And there’s no denying that the 46-year-old can play a mean guitar.
This DVD, culled from a sold-out show last year at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, contains 23 songs, top-loaded with seasonal titles (“Dig That Crazy Santa Claus,” “Blue Christmas”) but also containing has the requisite hits (“Rock This Town,” “Rumble in Brighton”).
Where it belongs under your tree: Use caution, as it could shake, rattle and roll the ornaments off.
“”Christmas With SCTV” (Shout Factory, $14.98)
During its all-too-brief time on the air, SCTV yielded an embarrassment of comedic talent – including Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Rick Moranis and, of course, the late John Candy.
This DVD brings together two Emmy-nominated episodes from the 1981 and ‘82 seasons, with commentaries from the cast and a demented assortment of SCTV characters including Johnnie LaRue, Guy Caballero and, in a bonus feature, the Juul Haalmeyer Dancers.
Where it belongs under your tree: In an optimal spot to repel the toxic effects of fruitcake and those scented holiday candles that immobilize bomb-sniffing dogs.
“”Leave It to Beaver: The Complete First Season Limited Edition” (Universal, $69.98)
It comes in a plaid lunchbox, contains 39 episodes and features a pilot in which different actors portray Wally and Ward (the characters made famous by Tony Dow and Hugh Beaumont).
“Beaver” offers as clear a glimpse as to why 1957 – its first year – might as well be a world away sitcom-wise. Yet there is an innocence to the humor that, if you can suspend your post-modern cynicism in half-hour chunks, makes for great guilty-pleasure viewing. (Note: Regular DVD set, sans lunchbox, is $20 cheaper).
Where it belongs under the tree: Right next to the DeLorean time machine from any “Back to the Future” DVD.
“”The Legend of Frosty the Snowman” (Sony Wonder, $21.98)
There are some image makeovers that are hard to swallow, such as the time George “the Seven Dirty Words” Carlin became a kiddie narrator for “Shining Time Station.”
Now we get Burt Reynolds – he most recently of foul film foibles such as “The Dukes of Hazzard” and Adam Sandler’s “The Longest Yard” – doing the narration on this number. And the singing. (Watch your keister, Burl Ives.)
Where it belongs under your tree: Snow does melt once placed at room temperature, right?
“”The Muppet Christmas Carol” (Disney DVD, $19.99)
One great thing about the Muppet empire was that the quality control didn’t end when Jim Henson passed away in 1990. This 1992 film, helmed by Henson’s son Brian, features Michael Caine as Scrooge, with Gonzo narrating and a cast of other Muppet favorites from Kermit and Miss Piggy to Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker. It’s the classic Charles Dickens tale given that delightful Muppet twist.
Where it belongs under your tree: Are you sure you want to give this one away?
“”Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (Classic Media, $16.98)
Like many folks my age, I grew up on the Rankin-Bass holiday specials, so much so that I consider them synonymous with the season itself. And this 1970 heartwarmer is hard to beat, what with Fred Astaire narrating, Mickey Rooney as Kris Kringle and Keenan Wynn as the Winter Warlock. And who needs CGI when you’ve got those classic, jerky stop-action figures?
About the only hiccup here is a bonus feature where Mariah Carey sings the title song – and appears in a video where she becomes a size-zero animated figure.
Where it belongs under your tree: Sorry Mariah, there’s only enough space under there for the original show. We’ll call you after we’re back from our, uh, fruitcake run.