VIDEO RENTALS : ‘Ghost’ Has a Firm Grip on First Place

For the next few weeks at least, no movie has a ghost of a chance of removing “Ghost” from the top spot of the Billboard magazine rental chart. It took “Ghost” only two weeks to ascend to No. 1. According to store reports, there’s been an incredible demand for the record 645,000 cassettes that Paramount shipped to video outlets. “Pacific Heights,” the thriller starring Michael Keaton as a sinister boarder terrorizing his landlords, zoomed to No. 4 from No. 10 in its second week on the chart. If “Ghost” weren’t around, “Pacific Heights” would probably be the next No. 1 rental. Another thriller, “Narrow Margin,” is doing well--jumping from No. 18 to No. 11. “White Palace,” featuring Susan Sarandon and James Spader as an odd couple, entered the chart at No. 17. The NC-17-rated “Henry and June” debuted at No. 23.

* Based on Scott Turow’s bestseller, this courtroom drama starring Harrison Ford was one of last year’s big hits, grossing more than $86.2 million. It debuted in the video market at No. 6.

Ranking Weeks Ranking 2 Weeks On Rental Top Rentals Last Week Ago Chart 1. “Ghost” (Paramount) 3 ... 2 2. “Flatliners” (RCA/Columbia) 2 1 7 3. “Arachnophobia” (Hollywood) 1 2 5 4. “Pacific Heights” (Fox Video) 10 ... 2 5. “Air America” (LIVE) 4 3 6 * “Presumed Innocent” (Warner) ... ... 1