VIDEO RENTALS : Pfeiffer’s Allure Paying Off for ‘Baker Boys’

Movies that get into the Top Three on the Billboard rental chart are generally big-grossers--$50 million on up. But “The Fabulous Baker Boys,” which raked in a mild $18.1 million at the box-office, still managed to zoom to No. 2 in just three weeks. The movie’s big lure, of course, is Michelle Pfeiffer, who got a best-actress Oscar nomination for her sexy role. Apparently, those who missed it in the theaters are renting it now. Movie audiences avoided “Old Gringo” ($2.5 million box office) and so far renters are following suit. This drama, starring Jane Fonda and Gregory Peck, moved up just one notch to No. 24 in its second chart week. Debuts: “My Left Foot,” featuring Daniel Day-Lewis’ Oscar-winning performance, entered at No. 33 and director Steven Speilberg’s “Always” came on at No. 37. Both should take giant steps up the chart next week.

* Director Jean-Jacques Annaud’s “The Bear,” quite unlike the usual cutesy nature films, is an outdoor adventure about the friendship of two bears. Marketed as an unusual dramatic family movie, it grossed $30.8 million--remarkable for an animal movie with hardly any dialogue. It’s on its way to becoming a home-video hit too, climbing to No. 12 in three weeks.

Ranking Weeks Ranking 2 Weeks On Rental Top Rentals Last Week Ago Chart 1. “Back to the Future 2 9 4 Part II” (MCA/Universal) 2. “The Fabulous Baker 6 13 3 Boys”(IVE) 3. “Look Who’s Talking” 1 1 9 (RCA/Columbia) 4. “The Little Mermaid” 5 4 5 (Disney) 5. “Black Rain” (Paramount) 3 3 8 (Paramount) * “The Bear” (RCA/Columbia) 19 ... 2