Video Rental Chart : Days Are Numbered for ‘Godfather’

As the leader of the Billboard magazine rental chart, “The Godfather Part III” definitely looks doomed. One of the new chart heavyweights will probably punch “Godfather” out of the top spot next week. Many retailers around the country are reporting that two newcomers, “The Silence of the Lambs” (No. 2) and “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (No. 3), are their most popular rentals. The next No. 1 should be “Robin Hood,” which raked in over $163.3 million at the box office and has more mass appeal than “Lambs.” “What About Bob?,” the comedy starring Richard Dreyfuss and Bill Murray, debuted at No. 33 but is headed for the Top Five. Though “Fantasia” is No. 10 on the rental chart, it’s not destined to be a rental smash. Since most video stores are selling it at a relatively inexpensive $15, its primary appeal is to buyers.

* Though it debuted at a modest No. 34, this action/drama about Chicago firefighters, starring Kurt Russell and Robert De Niro, should land in the Top Five next week. It grossed over $77 million at the box-office and has definite No. 1 potential.

Ranking Ranking 2 Weeks Top Rentals Last Week Ago 1. “The Godfather Part III” (Paramount) 1 3 2. “The Silence of the Lambs” (Orion) 9 ... 3. “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (Warner) 33 .... 4. “Dances With Wolves” (Orion) 3 2 5. “Class Action” (FoxVideo) 15 ... * “Backdraft” (MCA/Universal) ... ...

Weeks On Rental Top Rentals Chart 1. “The Godfather Part III” (Paramount) 4 2. “The Silence of the Lambs” (Orion) 2 3. “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (Warner) 2 4. “Dances With Wolves” (Orion) 11 5. “Class Action” (FoxVideo) 2 * “Backdraft” (MCA/Universal) 1