Animated Arnold

Hoping to spread some yuletide cheer, Paramount will release two family favorites new and old just in time for the New Year. Debuting on December 31st is Hey Arnold! The Movie, which suffered a disappointing theatrical run this past summer but will likely find a bigger audience on DVD when it arrives on December 31st. The disc includes both anamorphic widescreen and full screen versions, an interative game, and the trailer. Retail is $29.95. A week later on January 7th Paramount will release the classic Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown, which also features the specials "You're In Love, Charlie Brown" and "It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown." Retail is $19.95.

Disney family classics - 12:30pm

More family favorites are on the way for the New Year from Buena Vista Home Entertainment, who will raid the vaults for five more classic titles on January 14th: The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit, The Absent-Minded Professor, Gus, and Hayley Mills in The Moon Spinners. (Hey Disney, how about Freaky Friday already!?) Retail is $19.95 each, and watch this space for more details on specs and features.

For the older members of the family, Miramax will release four catalog titles of their own on January 14th, including Ethan Frome, Summer Fling, Roadracers, The Journey of August King and the hit foreign import The Visitors. Each is movie-only, featuring an anamorphic widescreen transfer, 2.0 Dolby surround track, and no extras aside from trailers. Retail is $32.95.