DVD reviews

March 3, 2008 at 10:56PM

REISSUE

"101 Dalmatians" (Disney, $30)

Disney finally looses the hounds from its vaults. Previously available as a single DVD that's long out of print, the animated classic is back today in a two-disc set loaded with extras. The 1961 tale follows the adventures of a Dalmatian mom and pop who end up looking after 99 pups when their own litter of 15 is abducted by the villainess Cruella De Vil, who intends to skin them for her latest fur coat. Cruella's the focus of some of the DVD extras, among them a featurette on the evil woman and a new music video of the tune that bears her name, performed by Disney Channel star Selena Gomez. The set also has deleted songs, trivia and correspondence between Walt Disney and Dodie Smith, whose book inspired the movie.

DAVID GERMAIN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

"Mrs. Doubtfire: Behind the Seams Edition" (Fox, $20)

Director Chris Columbus confesses that this is one of the few films he has made that he'll watch when he comes across it on TV. You're probably familiar with the story: When Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) and wife Miranda (Sally Field) get divorced, she gets custody of the kids. He wants more time with them, so when he learns Miranda needs a housekeeper, he applies for the job disguised as Mrs. Doubtfire. Extras include an interview with Williams; deleted scenes; featurettes; a conversation with well-known animator Chuck Jones, who designed the film's credit sequences, and early makeup tests. Also included are alternate takes. Columbus said he usually shot one or two scripted takes for a scene and then shot several more of Williams improvising. He used multiple cameras to ensure that he captured the initial reactions of the cast when Williams surprised them.

CURT FIELDS, WASHINGTON POST

TV

"The Love Boat: Season 1, Vol. 1"

(Paramount, $37)

Romance on the high seas became a weekly ritual with the 1977 debut of the show that spun tales of love among the passengers of a luxury liner. Gavin MacLeod, Lauren Tewes, Bernie Kopell, Ted Lange and Fred Grandy led the regular cast of the show, whose first 12 episodes come in a three-disc set.

DAVID GERMAIN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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