Video Rental Chart : ‘Godfather III’ Shoots to No.

“The Godfather Part III” surged to the top of the Billboard magazine rental chart, slamming the door closed on “The Doors’ ” short stay at No. 1. But “Godfather III” may have a brief reign too. As well as Madonna’s second-ranked “Truth or Dare”--easily the year’s top documentary--is doing, it’s not likely to stay in the Top Three, not with heavyweight new releases muscling their way to the top. One is “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”--starring Kevin Costner--which entered at No. 33 but will probably shoot into the Top Five next week. According to some retailers, it’s already their top rental. “Switch,” the romantic comedy/fantasy starring Ellen Barkin and Jimmy Smits, moved up four notches to No. 7. Considering the competition, this one could get shut out of the Top Five too. “Class Action,” starring Gene Hackman, entered at No. 15 and is headed for the Top 10.

* A very popular rental around Halloween, this sordid thriller, starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, is a box-office blockbuster (more than $130 million) that’s ticketed for top of the chart. It debuted at No. 9 and should rise to no lower than No. 3 next week.

Ranking Weeks Ranking 2 Weeks On Rental Top Rentals Last Week Ago Chart 1. “The Godfather Part III” (Paramount) 3 5 3 2. “Madonna: Truth or Dare” (LIVE) 4 8 4 3. “Dances With Wolves” (Orion) 2 1 10 4. “The Doors” (LIVE) 1 2 5 5. “One Good Cop” (Hollywood) 6 12 3 * “The Silence of the Lambs” (Orion) ... ... 1