National Video Rentals : Some Retailers Say the ‘Body’ Is Hot

Some video retailers report that “Body of Evidence”--particularly the unrated version featuring extra sex footage of Madonna and co-star Willem Dafoe--is their hottest rental. On this chart, however, it could only reach No. 7, up four notches. One retailer speculated that “Body” did modest business in theaters only because people wanted to wait to see it--and that steamy extra footage--on video. The romantic “Forever Young” clings to the top spot for the second straight week, but it may be bumped next week by the gory “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” which premiered at a lofty No. 4. “Howards End,” thanks to the lure of Emma Thompson’s Oscar-winning performance, continues to do strong rental business, ranking No. 6.

* This thriller about a cop romancing a blind potential serial-killer victim opened at No. 13 and should jump into the Top 10 next week. There are no new scary thrillers out right now so “Jennifer,” starring Andy Garcia and Uma Thurman, has that market all to itself.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1.”Forever Young” 1 3 2.”A River Runs Through It” 2 6 3.”The Distinguished Gentleman” 3 8 4.”Bram Stoker’s Dracula” ... 1 5.”Hoffa” 4 5 6.”Howards End” 5 5 7.”Body of Evidence” 11 2 8.”Toys” 7 5 9. “Passenger 57” 6 12 10.”The Mighty Ducks” 9 11 *”Jennifer 8” ... 1