National Video Rentals : ‘No Return’ Takes No. 1 . . . Finally

“Indecent Proposal,” the drama starring Demi Moore and Robert Redford, seemed like a shoo-in for the No. 1 rental slot after doing strong first-week business and debuting at No. 8. It’s still doing fine, climbing to No. 5, but not good enough just yet to be the rental chart-topper. So the Bridget Fonda action movie “Point of No Return” took charge and powered its way to the top--up a notch from No. 2. It’s unusual for a movie that’s been on the home-video market for two months to finally hit No. 1. The baseball movie “The Sandlot” did major-league business its first week on the chart, arriving at No. 10. For a movie without big stars, it scored big in theaters, too, grossing $31.7 million. “Three of Hearts,” a comedy about a bisexual romantic triangle starring William Baldwin, didn’t do that well in theaters--$5.5-million gross--but is expected to pick up an audience in the rental market, particularly in big cities. It entered at No. 16.

* Although kids in the 8-12 range may like this movie, parents have to do the renting. That could be a problem since Burt Reynolds isn’t too popular with some adults in the aftermath of his breakup with Loni Anderson. So there’s a chance of a backlash that could affect rentals of this action comedy, which debuted at No. 18. Otherwise, judging from its $30.1-million box-office gross, it should be a Top 10 rental.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1.”Point of No Return” 2 8 2.”Groundhog Day” 3 8 3.”Aladdin” 1 4 4.”Falling Down” 4 11 5.”Indecent Proposal” 8 2 6.”Alive” 5 8 7.”National Lampoon’s Loaded Weapon 1” 6 6 8.”Scent of a Woman” 7 13 9.”Fire in the Sky” 9 6 10.”The Sandlot” ... 1 *”Cop and a Half” .. 1

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.