Video Rentals : Can ‘Hook’ Topple ‘Cradle’?

“Hook,” No. 2 on the Billboard magazine rental chart, is surprising some retailers with a stronger rental showing than expected. Though it’s geared to the sales market, selling for as low as $15 in some outlets, some potential buyers are renting it--which will ultimately cut into sales figures. “Juice,” writer-director Ernest Dickerson’s look at some other boys in the ‘hood, entered at No. 12. It brought in $20 million at the box office, but some retailers predict it should find an even bigger audience in home video, particularly in black neighborhoods. “Ruby,” with Danny Aiello as Lee Harvey Oswald assassin Jack Ruby, bowed at No. 17, but since it attracted such a small audience in theaters, it’s not expected to be a big home-video lure either.

* “Rush,” with Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh playing junkie cops, wasn’t big box office ($6.5-million gross), but it’s attracting a youthful home-video audience. “Rush” entered the rental chart at No. 11.

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1. “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” 1 5 2. “Hook” 9 3 3. “Cape Fear” 2 9 4. “Bugsy” 3 5 5. “Grand Canyon” 6 6 6. “The Addams Family” 5 7 7. “Father of the Bride” 8 10 8. “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot” 10 3 9. “Shining Through” 7 5 10. “Star Trek VI” 4 5 * “Rush” --- 1