Megasets lead ’07 DVD Christmas gift parade

From comedies to dramas to documentaries, there’s lots to choose from among the releases.

By DOUG NYE

MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

In recent years, DVDs have become among the most popular candidates for Christmas presents. This holiday season there are plenty of selections from which to choose.

Leading the list are megasets: collections that include an entire run of a television series. They range from old espionage thrillers such as “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and “Secret Agent” to more current fare such as “Angel” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

There are dozens of movies and movie collections, too, and hundreds of other releases on DVD.

Following is a list of recommended DVDs, all released in 2007, that should include a title or collection for just about anyone. Each is accompanied by the suggested retail price but most of them can be bought for less if you shop around.

TELEVISION COLLECTIONS

“Angel: Complete Series Collector’s Set” (20th Century Fox, 1999-2004, $139.98). The entire five seasons of this spinoff from TV’s “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer” are included in the 30-disc set. David Boreanaz stars as Angel who spends most of his time battling beings from the world of the supernatural.

“Benny Hill: The Complete Megaset” (A&E, 1969-89, $149.95). The naughty and crazy Benny Hill and his friends are featured in 58 digitally remastered episodes in this 18-disc collection. The shows never aired in full-length form on U.S. television but are presented here in their original uncut versions.

“Everybody Loves Raymond: The Complete Series” (HBO, 1996-2005, $279.99). Ray Romano plays Ray Barone in this popular sitcom that ran nine seasons on CBS. The great cast includes Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle. The collection has 44 discs and all 210 episodes.

“Gunsmoke: The First Season” (Paramount, 1955-56, $38.99). James Arness is Marshal Matt Dillon of Dodge City in this legendary Western that ran for 20 seasons on CBS. Includes 39 half-hour episodes on six discs. The first episode has an introduction by John Wayne, who supposedly was offered the Dillon role but suggested his friend Arness for the part.

“Happy Days: The Third Season” (Paramount, 1975-76, $38.99). It’s more 1950s schooldays nostalgia with the Fonz (Henry Winkler) and Richie (Ron Howard). This is the season when Fonzie moves into the Cunninghams’ room above the garage. The collection has 23 episodes on 4 discs. Seasons one and two are still available.

“Magnum, P.I.: The Complete Seventh Season” (Universal, 1986-87, $49.98). Tom Selleck plays private eye Thomas Magnum in the series that made him a TV icon. Frank Sinatra guest-stars as a retired New York cop in episode 18. The five-disc set includes 21 episodes. Seasons One-Six are still available.

“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Complete Series” (Warner, 1964-68, $249.95). Robert Vaughn plays Napoleon Solo and David McCallum is Illya Kuryakin, two agents working for ther United Network Command for Law and Enforcement. The set consists of 41 DVDs and 105 episodes. Among the extras are “Solo,” the pilot for the show. Not available in stores but you can order at www.timelife.com.

“Mission Impossible: The Third TV Season” (Paramount, 1968-69, $49.99). Peter Graves, Greg Morris, Martin Landau and Barbara Bain star in the show that inspired the movies starring Tom Cruise. Many critics consider this season to be the best. Includes 25 episodes on seven discs. Seasons one and two still available.

“Saturday Night Live: The Complete Second Season” (Universal, 1976-77, $49.98). All 22 episodes of this classic groundbreaking comedy show are here with Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Chevy Chase and Bill Murray. Among the guests are Joe Cocker, Paul Simon, Chuck Berry and Santana. (Season One is still available.)

“Secret Agent, a.k.a. Danger Man: The Complete Megaset” (A&E, 1960-67, $189.95). Patrick McGoohan plays the unflappable John Drake, an agent for the British government. The job takes him all over the world. The 18 discs contain 39 half-hour episodes and 47 hour episodes, the last two in color. Also included is the Americanized opening with Johnny Rivers singing “Secret Agent Man.”

“Star Trek The Original Series: The Complete First Season” (Paramount, 1966-67, $194.99). The hefty price tag is there because this is an HD-DVD/DVD combo set. That means those who don’t have an HD-DVD player can flip over each of the 10 discs and watch it in standard DVD. All 29 remastered episodes complete with new special effects are included and they never looked better.

“Stargate SG-1: The Complete Series Collection” (MGM, 1997-2006, $329.98). All 10 seasons of this highly entertaining science-fiction saga are here in a 54-disc set which includes numerous extras. Richard Dean Anderson headlines the cast for the first nine seasons in this series that was a sequel to the movie “Stargate.”

“24: Season Six” (20thh Century Fox, 2007, $59.98). It’s another long day in the life of Jack Bauer, as excellently played by Kiefer Sutherland. Considering the bought.

“Twin Peaks: The Definitive Gold Box Edition” (Paramount, 1990-91, $99.99). David Lynch’s quirky series caused a sensation when it premiered in the spring of 1990. Kyle MacLachlan plays FBI agent Dale Cooper, who comes to the Pacific Northwest town of Twin Peaks to investigate the death of homecoming queen Laura Palmer. The community is filled with some of the most offbeat characters ever seen on television. All 29 episodes plus the pilot are included on the 10-disc set.

“The X-Files: The Ultimate Collection” (20th Century Fox, 1993-2002, $329.98). The main premise of this terrific sci-fi series, created by Chris Carter, is that aliens are among us and there is a government cover-up to keep us from knowing that “the truth is out there.” David Duchovny plays FBI agent Fox Mulder, who believes in the aliens. His partner Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) is the skeptic. Together they investigate UFO sightings and other puzzling phenomena. The 61-disc set includes all 201 episodes, the 1998 “X-Files” movie “Fight the Future” and various extras.

MOVIE COLLECTIONS

“The Barbara Stanwyck Signature Collection” (Warner, 1935-54, $49.98). Stanwyck stars in “Annie Oakley” (1935) with Preston Foster; “My Reputation” (1946) with George Brent; “East Side West Side” (1949) with George Brent; “To Please a Lady” (1950) with Clark Gable; and “Executive Suite” (1954) with William Holden. Extras include vintage shorts and cartoons.

“The Burt Lancaster Signature Collection” (Warner, 1950-73, $49.98). Lancaster stars in “The Flame and the Arrow” (1950), “Jim Thorpe-All American” (1951), “South Sea Woman” (1953), “His Majesty O’Keefe” (1954) and “Executive Action” (1973). Extras include vintage shorts and cartoons.

“Ford at Fox” (20th Century Fox, 1920-52, $299.99). This 21-disc set showcases 24 films from celebrated director John Ford made for Fox studios. Among them are collaborations with Henry Fonda such as “Drums Along the Mohawk” (1939), “Young Mr. Lincoln” (1939), “The Grapes of Wrath” (1940) and “My Darling Clementine” (1946). Also included are Ford’s Oscar-winner “How Green Was My Valley” (1941); three Will Rogers starrers, “Steamboat ‘Round the Bend,” “Doctor Bull” and “Judge Priest;” two versions of “The Iron Horse” (1924) and “Just Pals” (1920) with Buck Jones. Extra: a documentary on Ford. Available Dec. 4.

“Harry Potter Year 1-5 Limited Edition” (Warner, 2001-07, $119.97). This handsomely boxed set includes all five of the Harry Potter movies including “The Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001), “The Chamber of Secrets” (2002), “The Prisoner of Azkaban” (2004), “The Goblet of Fire” (2006) and “The Order of the Phoenix” (2007). The 12-disc collection includes numerous extras and those “The Making of ....” featurettes.

“James Stewart Screen Legend Collection” (Universal, 1936-65, $26.98). Stewart stars in “Next Time We Love” (1936) with Margaret Sullivan; “You Gotta Stay Happy” (1948) with Joan Fontaine; “Thunder Bay” (1953) with Gilbert Roland; “The Glenn Miller Story” (1954) with June Allyson; and “Shenandoah” (1965) with Katharine Ross.

“John Wayne Screen Legend Collection” (Universal, 1942-75, $26.98). The Duke stars in “Reap the Wild Wind” (1942), directed by Cecil B. DeMille; “The Spoilers” (1942), co-starring Randolph Scott and Marlene Dietrich; “The War Wagon” (1967), co-starring Kirk Douglas; “Hellfighters” (1968); and “Rooster Cogburn” (1975), co-starring Katharine Hepburn.

“The Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland Collection” (Warner). Rooney and Garland together is always a delight. Here they star in “Babes in Arms” (1939), “Strike Up the Band” (1941), “Babes on Broadway” (1941) and “Girl Crazy” (1943). A bonus disc includes an interview with Rooney by Turner Classic Movies’ Robert Osborne and “The Judy Garland Songbook.”

“Stanley Kubrick: Directors Series” (Warner, $79.98). The 10-disc set includes “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968); “A Clockwork Orange” (1971); “The Shining” (1980); “Full Metal Jacket” (1987); “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999); and the documentary on Kubrick, “A Life in Pictures.”

MOVIES

“Blade Runner: Ultimate Collector’s Edition” (Warner, 1982, $78.92). A five-disc edition that showcases director Ridley Scott’s new and final cut of the science-fiction film that had a lasting impact on the genre. Harrison Ford stars in this futuristic tale about an era when humankind has been able to make clones, aka replicants, who have a predetermined lifespan. When five of the clones escape, Ford is assigned to track them down. Hours and hour of extras include numerous deleted scenes. The film also is being issued in 2-disc and 4-disc editions. Available Dec. 18.

“The Bourne Ultimatum” (Universal, 2007, $29.98). Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne, who is attempting to find out about his past and who exactly he was. Meanwhile, the people who made him what he is are trying to hunt him down and eliminate him. An action thriller that lives up to its hype.

“Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer: The Power Cosmic Edition” (20th Century Fox, 2007, $34.98). Mr. Fantastic (Ioan Gruffudd), The Invisible Girl (Jessica Alba), The Human Torch (Chris Evans) and The Thing (Michael Chiklis) face the Silver Surfer and Galactus, who has a thing for destroying planets. Throw in Doctor Doom and you can bet the Fantastic Four have their hands full. Great fun. Two-disc set has plenty of extras.

“Golden Boy” (Sony, 1939, $19.94). This is the film that made William Holden a star. He plays a struggling young violinist who turns to boxing the make some dough. The stellar cast includes Barbara Stanwyck, Adolphe Menjou and Lee J. Cobb. Extras include vintage shorts and a “Ford Theater” episode that features Stanwyck’s first-ever appearance on TV.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” (Paramount, 1946, $24.99). Frank Capra’s holiday classic stars James Stewart as the man who wishes he was never born. Lionel Barrymore is outstanding as old man Potter. This two-disc edition includes the original back-and-white film as well as a colorized version.

“The Jazz Singer: 80th Anniversary Edition” (Warner, 1927, $39.92). This is the film — the first full-length feature with synchronized dialogue and musical sequences — that sent shock waves through the motion picture industry unlike anything before or since. It marked the birth of the talkies and the death knell for the silent film. It also revitalized the career of its star, Al Jolson. This great 3-disc set also includes dozens of sound shorts made during the 1920s and a terrific documentary on the sound revolution.

“Live Free or Die Hard” (20th Century Fox, 2007, $29.99). Bruce Willis is back as detective John McClane, which means plenty of fantastic stunts, action and a high body count in the fourth installment of the “Die Hard” franchise. This time, McClane takes on a group of Internet terrorists who are hacking into the various government systems and shutting down the United States. As usual, the wisecracking Willis makes it an exhilarating ride.

“The Princess Bride: 20th Anniversary Edition” (20th Century Fox, 1987, $19.98). Here is director Rob Reiner’s enchanted tale of a princess named Buttercup (Robin Wright) as told by Grandpa (Peter Falk) to his grandson (Fred Savage). The cast also includes Cary Elwes, Billy Crystal and Mandy Patinkin.

“Shrek the Third” (Paramount/DreamWorks, 2007, $29.99). Everybody’s favorite ogre, Shrek (voice of Mike Myers), has to fill in for the King, and the big green guy finds it’s not an easy task. Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss-in-Boots (Antonio Banderas) try to give him some help. Meanwhile, Fiona (Cameron Diaz) reveals to Shrek that she is pregnant.

DOCUMENTARIES

“The War” (PBS, 2007, $199.98). Ken Burns, the greatest documentary filmmaker of our time, scores again with this 15-hour in-depth look at World War II through the experiences of those on the battlefield and those on the American homefront. Spotlighted are the stories of the citizens from four towns — Waterbury, Conn.; Mobile, Ala.; Sacramento, Calif.; and Luverne, Minn. Graphic film footage, both in color and black-and-white, illustrate the horrors and triumphs of war. The set includes seven episodes on six discs.

“Yankeeography” (A&E, 2007, $99.99). A must for any New York Yankees fan or those who are interested in sports history. The 12-disc set includes biographies on 26 Yankees legends. Among them are Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson, Yogi Berra, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Casey Stengel, Bernie Williams and ... well, you get the idea. Bonuses include extended interviews, Hall of Fame speeches and historic game footage. Originally produced for the Yankees’ YES Network.