VIDEO . . . WHAT’S NEW : ‘Bambi’: Out of the Woods, Into the Home : THIS WEEK’S MOVIES

This is the weekend you can bring “Bambi” home to your bambinos. Officially released Thursday by Walt Disney Home Video, the 1942 animated classic sells for $26.99 (videocassette and CLV video disc) or $39.99 (CAV video disc). A $3 rebate is available from Crest toothpaste.

“Bambi,” featuring some of the most impressive animation ever done at the Disney studios, is the sometimes happy, sometimes sad story of a young deer who grows through various experiences and catastrophes into adulthood. Even though the film is rated G, parents may want to be ready to soften the blows of the more distressing scenes for small children who haven’t seen “Bambi” before.

Another one of America’s most beloved film classics, “Gone With the Wind,” isn’t new to video, but MGM/UA has just brought out a 50th-anniversary version that includes a seven-minute short feature on the making of the movie--but no price break. Frankly, my dear, the company doesn’t give a damn about anyone who can’t come up with $89.95 for the tape.

Fortunately, MGM/UA has made it a little easier for customers who’d like to buy some other great vintage pictures. “Ninotchka,” “Dark Victory,” “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” “The Women” (highly recommended), “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “Babes in Arms” are $24.95 each.

If you’d prefer more recent fare, these 1989 theatrical releases have just come out on video: “Lean On Me” (Warner, $89.95, PG-13), “Sing” (RCA/Columbia, $89.95, PG-13), “Slaves of New York” (RCA/Columbia, $89.95, R), “Farewell to the King” (Orion, $89.98, PG-13) and “C.H.U.D. II” (Vestron, $89.98, R).

The bargain basement: “Big,” “A Fish Called Wanda,” and two great John Huston films, “The African Queen” and “The Man Who Would Be King,” have been price-reduced to $19.98 each.

OTHER NEW VIDEOS

Country-music fans can choose between “The Judds: Across the Heartland” (MPI, $19.95), a 50-minute documentary about the mother/daughter duo, and “Dwight Yoakam: Just Looking for a Hit” (Warner Reprise, $16.95), a 25-minute clips collection--or go hog-wild and get both.