National Video Rentals : ‘Day’ Pushes ‘Down’ Out of No. 1

“Falling Down” slipped out of No. 1, getting nipped by “Groundhog Day,” the fantasy/romantic comedy starring Bill Murray, which burrowed into the top spot of the rental chart. It could be a while before “Groundhog” pops out, though it’s being shadowed by the Bridget Fonda action drama “Point of No Return” (No. 4) and fifth-ranked “Alive,” which many renters are morbidly curious about. Some retailers are reporting strong business for the grisly “Alive,” which should move up a few notches next week. The new movies won’t have much competition in the next few weeks, since late September and early October is a traditionally slow rental period, mainly because of interest in the new TV season and the teen-age audience is caught up in the back-to-school transition. New entries that should do good business among teen-age audiences: “The Crush” (No. 23) and “CB4” (No. 24).

* Despite Robert Downey Junior’s Oscar nomination for the title role, “Chaplin” just grossed barely over $8 million. Audiences avoided this biopic, which some critics slammed as stodgy and sketchy while raving about Downey’s performance. It debuted at No. 15 but doesn’t figure to be a rental blockbuster. Cracking the Top 10, though, is very possible.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1.”Groundhog Day” 3 3 2.”Falling Down” 1 4 3.”Scent of a Woman” 2 7 4.”Point of No Return” 11 3 5.”Alive” 14 2 6.”Sommersby” 6 6 7.”The Bodyguard” 4 10 8.”Unforgiven” 5 10 9. “A Few Good Men” 7 11 10.”Benny & Joon” 8 5 *”Chaplin” ... 1

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.