WEEKEND BOX OFFICE : Chevy Lives . . . ‘Rooftops’ Collapses

The Chevy Chase name still appears to guarantee a big opening. Chase’s “Fletch Lives” enjoyed the second largest opening of the year so far, behind Tom Hanks’ “The ‘burbs.” “Fletch Lives” grossed $8 million at 1,479 screens, or $5,440 per screen. That’s a strong showing, considering this is a a slow time of year for the movie business. It’s also slightly better than “Fletch” did when it opened in spring, 1985. Columbia’s “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen,” now playing on 46 screens, dropped 26% from the previous week, grossing $432,1237 for a current total of $1.2 million.

* The opening of “Rooftops” was not an auspicious one for the newly reorganized New Visions Pictures. The film grossed only $1.1 million, despite a wide release to 1,043 theaters.

Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average in Release 1. “Fletch Lives” $8.0 1,479 1 (Universal) $8.0 $5,440 2. “Leviathan” $5.0 1,393 1 (MGM/UA) $5.0 $3,610 3. “Lean On Me” $3.6 1,107 2 (Warners) $15.9 $3,273 4. “The Rescuers” $3.6 1,446 1 (Disney) $3.6 $2,496 5. “Rain Man” $2.9 1,501 14 (MGM/UA) $130.2 $1,918 * “Rooftops” $1.1 1,043 1 (New Visions) $1.1 $1,054

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.