Video Rental Chart : ‘Backdraft’ Still Hot at the Stores

The Billboard magazine rental chart leader “Backdraft,” which glorifies Chicago firefighters, shows no signs of flaming out. But upcoming competition, like “Terminator 2,” released Wednesday, may flush it out of the top spot. “Hudson Hawk,” the Bruce Willis action-comedy, didn’t thrill theatergoers and, many video retailers report, it’s not turning on too many renters either. It moved up four notches to No. 12 but shows no signs of being a long-term favorite. The Steven Seagal action movie “Out for Justice” is a respectable No. 8--up from No. 13--but not the rental smash some predicted. “City Slickers” crept onto the Top 40 rental chart at No. 39. But the figures that led to this ranking are just for a fraction of a week.

Ranking Weeks Ranking 2 Weeks On Rental Top Rentals Last Week Ago Chart 1. “Backdraft” (MCA/Universal) 1 2 5 2. “The Silence of the Lambs” (Orion) 2 1 6 3. “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” 3 3 6 (Warner) 4. “What About Bob?” (Touchstone) 4 4 5 5. “Mortal Thoughts” 5 6 5 (Columbia Tri-Star) * “Soapdish” (Paramount) ... ... 1

* This soap-opera spoof featuring Sally Field and Whoopi Goldberg, which grossed $36 million at the box office, is cleaning up in the rental market, debuting at No. 6.