No Comedy Drought This Summer

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Yet it’s not Christmas but the summer season now, and video fans--also in a jolly mood--rent a lot of comedies. Half the Billboard magazine rental Top 10 consists of comedies, with “Overboard,” (No. 5) starring Goldie Hawn, the hot newcomer. Other new comedies are poised and ready to crash the Top 10--”Like Father, Like Son” (No. 11), “Hello Again” (No. 12) and “The Couch Trip” (No. 18). But renters can’t live by laughs alone. “Full Metal Jacket,” Stanley Kubrick’s grim Vietnam War tale, debuted at No. 4 and may blast “Fatal Attraction”--not a lot of laughs either--out of the top spot. The somber “Nuts,” (No. 7) starring Barbra Streisand, could crack the Top 5.

* Can this depressing Depression-era drama about a down-and-out couple (Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep) succeed on home video in this jolly season? Despite acclaim (Oscar nominations for its stars) and star power, fans didn’t flock to theaters to see it. “Ironweed” debuted on the rental chart at No. 19.

VIDEO CHARTS

Rental Weeks Sales Top Ranking On Rental Chart Rentals Last Week Chart Ranking 1. “Fatal Attraction” 1 4 9 (Paramount) 2. “Throw Momma From the Train” 2 5 -- (Orion) 3. “The Witches of Eastwick” 3 9 -- (Warner Home Video) 4. “Full Metal Jacket” -- 1 15 (Warner Home Video) 5. “Overboard” 6 3 -- (CBS/Fox) * “Ironweed” -- 1 -- (Vestron)