Lots of family and children's fare is set for DVD release this week.
"Darby O'Gill and the Little People" (Disney, 1959, G, $19.99). Set in Ireland, this comedy/fantasy about an aging caretaker who spends most of his time in a pub telling tall tales about little leprechauns has lost none of its charm. Albert Sharpe is delightful as Darby, who fears for the welfare of his adult daughter Katie (Janet Munro) when he is replaced on the job by the younger and more vigorous Michael (Sean Connery).
As it turns out, however, Darby's tall tales weren't so fanciful after all. He captures the king of the leprechauns (Jimmy O'Dea in a wonderfully canny performance) and tries to finagle three wishes out of him. He also plays matchmaker between Katie and Michael. (And see if his rival, played as a puffed-up musclehead by Kieron Moore, doesn't remind you of the animated Gaston in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast.")
The special effects also hold up quite well — the banshees are still chilling — and it's fun to see very young Connery in his pre-James Bond days. (He even sings!)
This is a gorgeous print and the bonus features include two worth watching — Connery today being prominently interviewed in the making-of featurette and an utterly delightful black-and-white "Disneyland" TV episode with Pat O'Brien guesting, in which Walt Disney meets up with O'Dea's character to hire him for the "Darby O'Gill" movie.
Extras: Full frame, making-of featurettes, profile of Connery, trailers, language options (English, French), subtitle options (French, Spanish), chapters.
"The Three Musketeers" (Disney, 2004, G, $29.99). This new hourlong cartoon stars Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck as three bungling janitors who aspire to be Musketeers. They eventually achieve their dream, unaware that evil Peg-Leg Pete has actually elevated their status to facilitate his plot to overthrow Queen Minnie and become king.
Kids may enjoy some of the antics here, with a collection of songs set to familiar classical tunes, but older audiences will recognize that none of this comes close to the level of "Clock Cleaners," or any of the classic cartoon shorts that put together these three Disney icons. There are a few good gags here and there (as when Queen Minnie's lady-in-waiting, Daisy Duck, makes fun of Donald's incomprehensible jabbering), but an awful lot feels like missed opportunities.
Extras: Widescreen, audio commentary, making-of featurette, deleted scenes, song selections, music video, interactive games, language options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"Ella Enchanted" (Miramax, 2004, PG, $29.99). Anne Hathaway is an actress with an awful lot of natural charm, but it can only carry her so far in this broad-farce interpretation of the beloved book about the title character being forced by a fairy godmother's "gift" to be obedient to every command.
The game comic cast includes Eric Idle, Joanna Lumley, Cary Elwes, Vivica A. Fox and Minnie Driver, but it's to no avail as the comic spoofs — including anachronistic gags poking fun at modern movies — fall flat.
Extras: Separate widescreen or full-frame editions, audio commentary (with Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, director Tommy O'Haver, making-of featurettes, deleted/extended scenes, interactive games, music video (by Kari Kimmel), trailers, DVD-Rom applications, language options (English, French), subtitle options (English, Spanish), chapters.
"Lassie Come Home" (Warner, 1943, G, $14.96). One of the great MGM family movies, a six-hankie effort about the remarkable collie being sold off by her beloved owners due to their poverty-stricken conditions, and his adventure-filled journey to return to them.
Young Roddy MacDowall heads a great cast: Donald Crisp, Dame May Whitty, Edmund Gwenn, Nigel Bruce, Elsa Lanchester and child actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Extras: Full frame, short film: "Fala," trailers, language options (English, French), subtitles options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"Son of Lassie" (Warner, 1945, G, $14.96). Taylor and MacDowall's characters are all grown up, and played by June Lockhart (who would star in the "Lassie" TV series from 1958-64) and Peter Lawford. This is a World War II-themed film, as Lassie accompanies Army Air Corps pilot Lawford to Nazi-occupied Norway.
Enjoyable propaganda. Veteran character actors Nigel Bruce and Leon Ames lend support, along with Helen Koford, who would later change her name to Terry Moore.
Extras: Full frame, Tom & Jerry cartoon: "Flirty Birdy," trailer, language options (English, French), subtitles options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"Courage of Lassie" (Warner, 1946, G, $14.96). This isn't really a sequel, as such, since the dog here isn't called "Lassie," but "Bill"! He's a traumatized World War II veteran canine, eventually adopted by Elizabeth Taylor. This one gets a boost from both Taylor and the gorgeous location filming.
Taylor's co-stars include Frank Morgan (the title character in "The Wizard of Oz") and "Our Gang" veteran Carl Switzer, better known as "Alfalfa."
Extras: Full frame, Droopy cartoon: "Northwest Hounded Police," Tom & Jerry cartoon: "Solid Serenade," trailer, language options (English, French), subtitles options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"Flipper" (Warner, 1963, G, $14.96). Colorful kids fare about intelligent dolphin that befriends young boy (Luke Halpin). Chuck Connors co-stars.
Extras: Widescreen, Tom & Jerry cartoon: "Salt Water Tabby," trailers, language options (English, French), subtitles options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"Flipper's New Adventure" (Warner, 1964, G, $14.96). More of the same, with nice location shooting, as Flipper and Halpin pester escaped-con blackmailers. OK kids stuff. (Halpin also stared in the "Flipper" TV series from 1964-68.)
Extras: Widescreen, Tom & Jerry cartoon: "Jerry and the Goldfish," trailers, language options (English, French), subtitles options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"What's New Scooby-Doo? Volume 3: Halloween Boos & Clues" (Warner, 2004, not rated, $19.97). Scooby and friends in four TV episodes: "The Vampire Strikes Back," "Mummy Scares Best," "High-Tech House of the Future" and "She Sees a Sea Monster by the Seashore."
Extras: Full frame, four episodes, featurettes, optional subtitles (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"Brainy Baby: Peek-A-Boo" (Koch, 2004, not rated, $19.95).
"Brainy Baby: Laugh & Learn" (Koch, 2004, not rated, $19.95).
"Brainy Baby: Spanish: Simple Words & Phrases" (Koch, 2004, not rated, $19.95).
These latest entries in the series of interactive videos for small fry are designed to help toddlers develop skills with colors, numbers, letters, shapes, etc., through colorful visual images, underwater activity, as well as matching and let's-find-it games. Songs, such as "Wheels on the Bus," "You Are My Sunshine," "The Alphabet Song" and "B-I-N-G-O" are also used to help kids freely express themselves.
Extras: Full frame, "baby bloopers," trailers, chapters.
"Way Cool Science: Space Trekkers" (Thinkeroo, 2004, not rated, $14.95). Science for small fry (recommended for ages 5 and older), with explanations from Max Orbit about the solar system — planets, moons, asteroids, comets, etc.
Extras: Full frame, chapters.
"Mommy & Me: Fun & Friends" (Madacy, 2004, not rated, $19.98). Tim Conway and Caroline Rhea provide voices for this collection of children's songs with animaton and puppetry, designed to encourage kids to learn while having fun.
Extras: Full frame, 11 songs, educational tips, sing-along, making-of featurette, chapters.
E-mail: hicks@desnews.com