New DVD releases this week include a pair of classic golden oldies and a summer 2004 hit — and they all star Julie Andrews.
"Mary Poppins: 40th Anniversary Edition" (Disney, 1964, G, $29.99, two discs). "Mary Poppins" looks and sounds better than ever in this two-disc reissue, which arrives in stores on Tuesday. And it's a real treat to have Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke participating in so many of the bonus features. All the archival material is also well integrated into this set. But the real surprise here is the new live-action/animation short, "The Cat That Looked Like a King."
I've been disappointed in Disney's new animation lately — from the recent "Home on the Range" feature to the collection of computer-animated toons on the "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas" DVD. But this new "Cat" is a delight for kids and adults, as Andrews and two kids magically drop into a "Mary Poppins"-style chalk drawing, where they observe a wise cat (voiced by Tracey Ullman) challenging a king (David Ogden Stiers) for his kingdom.
As for "Mary Poppins," it holds up marvelously, and Andrews and Van Dyke and the rest of the cast — including an array of animated characters (love those penguins) — are as enchanting as ever. And the bonus features are all fun, from the deleted song "Chimpanzoo" to an audio commentary led by Andrews and Van Dyke. (One featurette has Andrews' famous acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, where she thanked Jack Warner for not letting her do the "My Fair Lady" movie.)
Extras: Widescreen, audio commentary, new animated short (narrated by Andrews), making-of featurettes, new musical reunion of Andrews, Van Dyke and Richard Sherman, deleted song, interactive games, text commentary, optional language tracks (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella" (Image, 1957, not rated, b/w, $19.99). When she was just 21 and starring on Broadway in "My Fair Lady," Andrews was asked to star in a new made-for-live-television musical, "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella."
The resulting show was the most-watched program ever, and its numbers — 107 million American homes (with roughly four viewers each), and more in Canada — would hold up today as huge.
This is a black-and-white kinescope documentation of the program; in the early days, a camera would be pointed at a TV to film a show from the screen. But it holds up very well, with nice songs and wonderful performances from a Broadway-savvy cast (some of whom are interviewed for the bonus features).
Extras: Full frame, new introduction by Andrews, making-of featurette, photo galleries, ad art, clip from "Ed Sullivan Show," chapters.
"The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" (Disney, 2004, G, $29.99). This sequel to "The Princess Diaries" is more of the same, and that will be fine for kids who loved the first one. But much of the material seems stale. Still, Andrews and Anne Hathaway are obviously having fun, and their screen charisma is impossible to deny.
Extras: Separate widescreen and full-frame editions, audio commentary (by Andrews and director Garry Marshall), making-of featurette (hosted by Raven), deleted scenes, bloopers, music video (by Kelly Clarkson), quiz, language options (English, French), subtitle options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"Top Cat: The Complete Series" (Warner, 1961-62, not rated, $44.98, four discs). This '60s prime-time animated series about the title character (voiced by Arnold Stang) and his band of felines in New York is fun, as they interact with their friendly nemesis Officer Dibble (Allen Jenkins). (As with all of the Hanna-Barbera sets, this one includes a wretched laugh track.)
Extras: Full frame, 30 episodes, audio commentary (on three episodes), making-of featurettes, interviews, storyboards, sing-along, art gallery, vintage commercials, language and subtitle options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"The Flintstones: The Complete Second Season" (Warner, 1961-62, not rated, $44.98, four discs). Those Bedrock families — Fred and Wilma (Alan Reed and Jean Vander Pyl), and Barney and Betty (Mel Blanc and Bea Benaderet) — are back for a second season. In one episode Fred drives a bus, a la Ralph Kramden and "The Honeymooners," which was clearly the inspiration for this show. Fun for fans.
Extras: Full frame, 32 episodes, audio commentary (on three episodes), making-of featurettes, vintage commercials, "Songs of the Flintstones" album, art gallery, vintage featurette, language and subtitle options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"Baby Genius: Fun Filled Discs" (Genius, 2004, not rated, $59.99, eight discs). This box set aimed at children up to 2 years old includes eight "Baby Genius" DVDs that are also available individually: "Mozart and Friends," "Mozart and Friends Sleepytime," "The Four Seasons," "Animal Adventures," "A Trip to the San Diego Zoo," "Favorite Nursery Rhymes," "Underwater Adventures" and "Favorite Children's Songs."
Extras: Full frame, audio CDs, chapters.
E-mail: hicks@desnews.com