88 -:i o a. .:.: LÂo >- ~ z Pennies From Heaven **** Warner Bros., $59.98 In this brilliant 1978 British miniseries, a youthful Bob Hoskins plays a Depression-era traveling sheet-music salesman with a frigid wife and dreams of happier days.</p><p> The ground breaking script by Dennis Potter ("The Singing Detective") lets characters break out into song by lip syncing to period tunes and then cruelly yanks them back to reality.</p><p> Steve Martin starred in a remarkably faithful adaptation for the movies only three years later (Warner Bros., $19.97) that freaked out fans of "The Jerk." Combat! Season 1 campaign 1 ***'/, Image, $39.99 Everything Tom Hanks accomplished with the WW II miniseries "Band of Brothers" -vivid realism, great actors, and spot-on dialogue -was done just as well 40 years earlier with 1962's "Combat!," a TV series that follows a group of GI's (Vic Morrow, Shecky Greene) as they fight their way across Europe.</p><p> Use of.genuine war footage isn't just a money saver; it's a sober reminder that real people made these sacrifices.</p><p> Along with 16 episodes, extras include a new documentary and audio Showgirls V.I.P.</p><p> Edition **** MGM, $39 • .:..:98=----_ Director Paul Verhoeven, writer Joe Eszterhas and star Elizabeth Berkley all dedicated themselves heart and soul to this 1995 drama about a stripper who dreams of becoming a Vegas showgirl.</p><p> Only complete earnestness could have created such hilarious camp.</p><p> Now comes a party version, including shot glasses, a "pin the pasties on the showgirl" game and commentary by strippers. commentary by guest directors such as Robert Altman.</p><p> La Ceremonie ** HVE,$29.95 French director Claude Chabrol has gained in stature over the years.</p><p> But, in truth, he's not "the French Hitchcock." He's just second rate Hitchcock.</p><p> This silly 1995 thriller is typically hard to swallow.</p><p> Isabelle Huppert stars as a servant who seduces the illiterate Sophie (Sandrine Bonnaire) into turning on their employer.</p><p> You Bet Your Life: The Best Episodes *** Shout, $39.98 Groucho Marx enjoyed a 14- year run on radio and TV with this silly game show that served as an excuse for his gently mocking humor.</p><p> Eighteen episodes are here, featuring guest stars like Johnny Weismuller, Edgar Bergen and a young Candice Bergen.</p><p> Terrific extras include a "Stag Reel" (racy bits edited out), original commercials and three .</p><p> Groucho pilots for other game shows.
