Vintage titles among week's DVD releases

Warner Home Video has released and reissued a bevy of vintage titles this week, including the comedy that shot Andy Griffith to stardom and the Blu-ray debut of "Doctor Zhivago."

"No Time for Sergeants" (Warner, 1957, b/w, $19.98). Griffith is a hoot in his star-making role (which he also played on Broadway and TV) as a na?/i>ve but sweet-natured hillbilly who gets his first taste of civilization in the Army after being drafted.

The film is a brilliant satire, hilariously commenting on the absurdity of military life while exploring the nature of truth and integrity. Loopy dialogue to spare with Griffith in peak form, aided by Nick Adams as a nerdy recruit who befriends him and Myron McCormick (also from the stage version) as his apoplectic sergeant.

There's also a scene-stealing moment from Don Knotts testing Griffith's dexterity — Knotts is another veteran of the Broadway show, who, of course, would go on to team with Griffith for "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Matlock."

It's a shock to discover this one has never been on DVD, and, sadly, there are no bonus features. But the transfer is excellent and the movie alone is a real treat.

Extras: widescreen

"Doctor Zhivago" (Warner/Blu-ray, 1965, PG-13, three discs, $35.99). David Lean's grand epic maintains its sweep and enthralling visual impact (heightened by high definition) in support of the story of a tragic romance set against the Russian revolution.

Omar Sharif is perfect as the title character, with great support from Julie Christie, Rod Steiger and many more. Included here are all the bonus features of previous editions along with a new documentary, a CD of music from the soundtrack and a colorful booklet.

Extras: widescreen, introduction (by Sharif), audio commentary (by Sharif, Steiger and David Lean's widow Sandra), documentaries, featurettes, trailer, audio CD; 44-page booklet (also on DVD, $24.98)

"Island of Love" (Warner Archives, 1963, $19.95). Among Warner Archives' latest new-to-DVD releases (at www.wbshop.com) is this farce starring Robert Preston as a fast-talking con artist (made right after his success with "The Music Man").

Preston recruits screenwriter pal Tony Randall to help him take $2 million from lisping gangster Walter Matthau, who wants to see an epic Adam and Eve movie. But when Matthau sabotages the film by insisting his stripper fiancée star as Eve, Preston and Randall hide out on a Greek island — unaware the island is where Matthau calls home.