Poppins...Mary Poppins

One of the most beloved films of all time, the incomparable Mary Poppins will at last get the special edition treatment from Buena Vista Home Entertainment on December 14. The full specs have been announced, and there are tons of 'em: in addition to a newly remastered 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 Enhanced Home Theater mix (the original 2.0 surround theatrical mix is also included), goodies include new audio commentary with Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Richard Sherman, and Karen Dotrice, the Poppins Pop-Up subtitle trivia track, "The Cat That Looked at the King" animated short, "Chimpazoo" deleted song, the "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious: The Making of Mary Poppins," "Movie Magic," "Magical Mystery Reunion" and "Musical Journey" featurettes, "Jolly Holiday" and "Step In Time" scene deconstructions, a Dick Van Dyke makeup test, premiere footage, an eleven-part still gallery, and no less than eight theatrical trailers. Retail for this two-disc wonder will be $29.95.

Blondes Have More Fun - 2:24pm

New from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment is a big lineup of new and catalog releases, all due on October 26th.

First up is the hit comedy White Chicks, with the Wayans look scarily like the Olsen Twins as seen during a bad acid trip. Available in two versions - the R-rated theatrical cut and an Uncut & Unrated Edition - each is presented in anamorphic widescreen and include the same extras: audio commentary by the Wayans, the "How'd They Do That?", "Wayans Comedy" and "STARZ! Encore" featurettes, filmographies and trailers. Retail is $27.95 either way you go. Also due on the 26th is the direct-to-video cheese-fest Frankenfish. (Yes, it is about a monstrous, mutated, man-eating fish.) Presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1, the only extras are bonus trailers. list price will go for $24.95.

Next up from Columbia are three new catalog releases: Harvest, the Melissa Sue Anderson slasher favorite Happy Birthday to Me, and a new special edition reissue of the seminal 70's paranoia thriller The China Syndrome. The former two feature only bonus trailers, but China Syndrome comes with two documentaries featuring new interviews with Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas, plus deleted scenes and the film's original theatrical trailer. All are in anamorphic widescreen except Harvest, which is full screen only, and retail will cost you a bloody good $24.95 a pop.

Rounding out Columbia's October 26th lineup are seven new Superbit reissues: Bad Boys II, Cliffhanger, The Guns of Navarone, The Missing, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, S.W.A.T., and Underworld. All have the usual no-features, anamorphic widescreen transfers and Dolby Digital and DTS surround options. Retail will go for the usual $26.95 Superbit overprice.

Polyester Dreams - 2:24pm

Rounding out today's news, Fox Home Entertainment has just announced another recent TV favorite at last making its appearance on DVD. Due on October 26th is That '70s Show: The Complete First Season, which will contain 24 episodes on four discs, each presented in 4:3 full screen and Dolby 2.0 stereo. While all the extras have yet to be announced, Fox has revealed that extras will include new audio commentaries and making-of material, plus the usual episode synopsis. Expect a retail price of $49.95 and the full details to be revealed soon.

The studio has also announced that two other modern TV classics will also get the DVD treatment next year: The Cosby Show and Roseanne. While no exact street date is forthcoming, watch this space and we'll keep you posted.