WHERE LOVE HAS GONE

Vestron Entertainment, which holds the vid rights to Cinecom’s 1986 “Native Son” (based on Richard Wright’s historic novel), took an interesting marketing approach involving the film’s star--by leaving his face off the video.

Matt Dillon, Elizabeth McGovern, Oprah Winfrey, Carroll Baker, Geraldine Page and John Karlen (who plays Harvey on “Cagney & Lacey”) are all pictured prominently on the video case now in stores--but not Victor Love, who has the pivotal role of Bigger Thomas in the drama about racism and urban alienation set in 1930s Chicago.

Explained a spokesman for distributor Vestron, “Video companies usually put recognizable stars on the cover. (And) Victor Love is not.”

Love, 28, was noticed by critics, with phrases like “impressive newcomer” and “really splendid.” Julia Wright, daughter of the “Native Son” novelist, thought “Victor projected all of (the character’s) complexities. . . .”

Despite the strong reviews, Love’s agent said the classically trained actor is merely “in New York, appearing in ‘Richard III’ and looking for his next project.”