Forget reissues; dig into archives for new titles

If you ever wonder why it's taking so long for some of your favorite movies to come to DVD, it may be because the studios are spending so much time, effort and money putting together "special editions" of movies that are already on DVD!

This has been a watershed year for reissues, but that's not generally a good thing. And it's especially odd when you consider that DVD technology hasn't been around that long.

Why are they putting out second, third — even fourth and fifth — editions of titles that have already been out there for years. Instead, they should be adding new titles to the catalog.

In some cases — as with Paramount's re-releases of "Witness" and "The Truman Show," the material has some depth and includes most of the principles . . . although Jim Carrey did nothing new for "Truman."

With others — such as "Clueless" from Paramount and "Pretty Woman" from Disney — there's nothing particularly interesting among the "new" bonus features, and none of the principles (Alicia Silverstone, Julia Roberts, Richard Gere) take part. So if you have an old copy, why bother with a new one?

As annoying as I find this greedy reissue ploy, occasionally the studios really do go the extra mile, as with Warner's recent editions of "Ben-Hur" and "The Wizard of Oz," and Universal's "Legacy" series with "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Sting," and the latest Alfred Hitchcock box set from Universal — all of which include collectible elements (booklets, photos, poster art) and/or extra bonus features fans will want to see.

Even the most cynical collectors will likely see these additions as something worthwhile and cave into yet another purchase of a movie they already have.

Similarly, Disney's "Toy Story" reissue had some amusing elements that were heretofore exclusive to the pricey "Toy Box" set (which is now out of print). And when "Toy Story 2" follows on Dec. 26, more of those extras will follow. (Making the "Toy Box" set obsolete, perhaps?)

The recent "Parent Trap" reissue doesn't have all the bonus features of the earlier two-disc DVD set, but it does include the first of the TV sequels with Haley Mills, "The Parent Trap II." And Sony's "Oliver!" reissue includes the audio soundtrack on a bonus CD.