National Video Rentals : ‘Fugitive’ Still Ahead of the Pack

Retailers are reporting that “The Fugitive” is still outdistancing its rental competition by a wide margin. None of the current crop is likely to overtake it but the upcoming “Mrs. Doubtfire” will surely run it down. Due out next week, “Mrs. Doubtfire” should be the spring’s biggest hit. “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” the Tina Turner biography, is making a strong showing--climbing three notches to No. 3. Clearly, the Oscar nominations for stars Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett boosted the profile of this drama. “Carlito’s Way,” a gangster movie starring Al Pacino and directed by Brian De Palma, debuted at No. 8 and should break into the Top 5. It attracted a fair-sized audience in theaters ($36.5-million gross) and should benefit from the huge cult following of another Pacino-De Palma collaboration--the violent “Scarface.” “The Age of Innocence,” which grossed $31.9 million in theaters, debuted at No. 10 and could be a solid Top 10 rental. The big lure of this romantic drama is star Daniel Day-Lewis, who has an enormous female audience in the rental market. Other debuts: “A Bronx Tale” (No. 15) and “Fearless” (No. 20).

* Critics battered this film version of the old TV series, but a lot of moviegoers still liked it--to the tune of $42.2-million gross. It should do good video business too, appealing both to fans of low-brow comedies and those who like the eternally popular series. It opened at No. 13 but should crack the Top 10 next week.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1.”The Fugitive” 1 5 2.”In the Line of Fire” 2 9 3.”What’s Love Got to Do With It” 6 3 4.”The Good Son” 4 5 5.”Demolition Man” 3 6 6. “The Joy Luck Club” 9 2 7.”Striking Distance” 5 6 8.”Carlito’s Way” ... 1 9.”Judgment Night” 7 5 10.”The Age of Innocence” ... 1 *”The Beverly Hillbillies” ... 1

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.