NO TEARS FOR ‘CROCODILE’

Throw a few more bucks on the barbie for Australian actor-spokesman Paul Hogan who stars in Paramount’s “Crocodile Dundee.”

“Crocodile” is likely to take another big box-office bite this weekend after its phenomenal start. “Crocodile” took in $8 million in its opening weekend and thrashed the competition. Now at 879 theaters, the film’s per-screen average of $9,145 was greater than the opening weekend per-screen average for “Top Gun” which debuted at 1,028 theaters.

G’day indeed.

On more serious film fronts, the controversial “Blue Velvet” has taken in $1.9 million at 98 theaters in its first 12 days. “Blue Velvet” fell about 18% in its second weekend. “We are by and large supporting the film with print and some radio; we have no TV at all,” says Ed Roginski, executive vice president of worldwide marketing for De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG). “The campaign is working on the controversy generated by the critical response.”

“Stand By Me” continues to hold on nicely for Columbia. Last weekend the film dropped only 10% and in 40 days has grossed almost $30 million.

“Top Gun” is rapidly approaching another milestone. This weekend the film should surpass the $150-million mark. Twenty weeks after its opening, “Top Gun” is still flying at Mach 1 at 1,344 theaters.

“Crocodile Dundee” should live so long.