Marlo Thomas' groundbreaking sitcom of the 1960s leads this collection of new-to-DVD TV shows, scheduled for release on Tuesday.
"That Girl: Season One" (Shout! 1966-67, not rated, $39.98, five discs). Marlo Thomas is completely winning in this cute, funny '60s sitcom, notable as the first to feature a young female character who is content to remain unmarried. Thomas came up with the concept, and in the bonus features she talks about how it came about in the conservative climate of 1960s TV development.
Thomas plays Ann Marie, a struggling New York actress who makes ends meet by taking a variety of jobs. And she's very good, playing her character as strong and independent, but also charming and funny. She also has a supportive boyfriend (Ted Bessell), whom she meets in the first episode.
This show opened the door for subsequent similarly themed series, in particular "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" — and notice how the opening credits in "That Girl" even resemble the opening credits done years later for "Mary Tyler Moore."
Such future stars as George Carlin, Sally Kellerman, Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr and Rob Reiner show up in various episodes, and a very young (and almost unrecognizable) Dabney Coleman plays a recurring character. And in the original pilot, Ann Marie's parents are played by different actors, and the boyfriend has a different occupation.
Extras: Full frame, 30 episodes, original pilot, making-of featurettes, promos, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"Grounded for Life: Season 2" (Anchor Bay, 2002-03, not rated, $29.98, three discs). This so-so brash sitcom stars Donal Logue and Claudia Finnerty as a blue-collar couple desperately trying to hold on to their youth while raising three kids on Staten Island. The show has its moments but is hit and miss.
Extras: Full frame, 17 episodes, featurettes, highlights, bloopers, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"It's a Small World of Fun! Volume 1" (Disney, 1945-60, not rated, $14.99).
"It's a Small World of Fun! Volume 2" (Disney, 1938-52, not rated, $14.99). These are collections of classic Disney cartoons, most of them fables, and many that will be fondly remembered by baby boomers.
The first disc features "Mickey Down Under," with Mickey Mouse finding an emu egg and Pluto chasing a boomerang; "Goliath II," about a 5-inch elephant who is the son of the gigantic king; Goofy hunting big game in "African Diary," and more.
"Volume 2" is even stronger, with the classics "Peter and the Wolf"; "The Brave Little Tailor," with Mickey mistaken as a giant killer; "Pedro" the little plane encountering dangers on a mail flight; and "Susie, the Little Blue Coupe," about a shiny new car in a showroom that eventually lands in the junkyard, among others.
Extras: Full frame, language options (English, French: "Volume 2" only), chapters.
"Thomas & Friends: Sing-Along & Stories" (Anchor Bay, 2006, not rated, $17.98).
"Thomas & Friends: Thomas Gets Bumped & Other Adventures" (Anchor Bay, 2006, not rated, $17.98). Episodes from the small-fry TV show, each disc running about 90 minutes (including bonus features).
Extras: Full frame, sing-alongs, interactive games, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"Doogal" (Weinstein/Pathe, 2006, G, $28.95). Yet another weak animated kids film overloaded with pop-culture references instead of anything approaching wit, as talking animals — led by Doogal the dog — try to foil an evil wizard's plot to freeze the world. Or something like that. Lots of flatulence jokes, of course.
Somehow the film managed to get such talent as Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, William H. Macy, Judy Dench and others to participate as voices. Makes you wonder if they read the script.
Extras: Full frame/widescreen, making-of featurette, trailer, subtitle options (English, Spanish), chapters.
"LazyTown: Sports Candy Festival" (Nick Jr./Paramount, 2006, not rated, $16.99). Stephanie, Stingy, Ziggy and the rest of the "LazyTown" gang host a Sports Candy Festival for Sportacus in the title episode; others are "Happy Brush Day," "Play Day" and "Sportafake."
Extras: Full frame, four episodes, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"Home Movies: Season Four" (Shout, 2004, not rated, $34.95, three discs). This is the final season of this raunchy animated series (not for kids), with an 8-year-old filming home movies that are parodies of pop culture. Not for kids.
Extras: Full frame, 13 episodes, audio commentaries, featurettes, audio outtakes, optional English subtitles, chapters.
E-mail: hicks@desnews.com