Warner Bros released the first batch of films available in the U.S. on the new DVD television format. Among the 30 or so titles in the inaugural release are four of special interest to theatre fans with DVD players:

* A Streetcar Named Desire : Marlon Brando leads many of the original Broadway cast in this movie version of the Tennessee Williams drama.

* Singin' in the Rain : Comden & Green wrote the sprightly screenplay for this classic musical sendup of Hollywood at the dawn of the sound era. Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor star in this film, which later was adapted to the stage by Twyla Tharp.

* The Wizard of Oz : Judy Garland accompanied by old Broadway hands Bert Lahr and Ray Bolger go over the rainbow in another classic, with songs by Harold Arlen and E.Y. "Yip" Harburg.

* The Birdcage : Robin Williams and Nathan Lane star in this 1996 English language remake of the non-musical French film La Cage Aux Folles, which also was adapted as a musical of the latter title by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein. More DVD films are scheduled to be released in May.

-- By Robert Viagas