THE STRANGE AFFAIR OF UNCLE HARRY;THE PRIVATE AFFAIRS OF BEL AMI

THE STRANGE AFFAIR OF UNCLE HARRY George Sanders, Geraldine Fitzgerald (1945, Republic, $19.98, unrated, B&W) THE PRIVATE AFFAIRS OF BEL AMI George Sanders, Angela Lansbury (1947, Republic, $19.98, unrated, B&W) The video release of these two films is happy news for fans of George Sanders' particular brand of cinematic spleen. In Uncle Harry, Sanders plays a nebbishy fabric designer whose engagement is thwarted by an insanely possessive sister (Geraldine Fitzgerald). Due to the incestuous subtext, the film was cut down over the years, and the version cobbled together for this ''restored'' cassette unfortunately switches to a blurred, jittery print whenever Fitzgerald's glances turn covetous. The Private Affairs of Bel Ami casts Sanders as a Parisian womanizer who uses marriage to advance his career while ignoring his one faithful lover (Angela Lansbury). Hollywood censors demanded a final comeuppance, but the star takes the full, decadent measure of his role when he eyes one middle-aged conquest and mutters, ''I have lighted a fire in an old, soot-filled chimney.'' At such moments Sanders makes stylish thoughtlessness totally compelling. Uncle Harry: B Bel Ami: B -SD

You Might Also Like

• The Q&A Volleying with Tony nominee Angela Lansbury | Karen Leigh
• Photo Gallery Actresses who've killed (on-screen) for Oscar (1967) | Michael Sauter