‘First Wives Club’ Chalks Up Biggest Debut Ever in Sept.

“First Wives,” first week, first place.

Paramount’s “The First Wives Club” earned an estimated $19 million in its opening weekend for the biggest September film debut ever, industry and studio sources said Sunday.

The comedy, starring Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton as discarded spouses bent on revenge, nearly tripled the $7.1-million take of second place “Last Man Standing,” the weekend’s other big debut film.

The children’s story “Fly Away Home” was third in its second week in release with earnings of about $3.8 million. “Maximum Risk” was fourth with $3 million.

Final figures are to be released today.The weekend Top 10 based on preliminary estimates:

1. “The First Wives Club,” $19 million.

2. “Last Man Standing,” $7.1 million.

3. “Fly Away Home,” $3.8 million.

4. “Maximum Risk,” $3 million.

5. “Bulletproof,” $2.4 million.

6. “First Kid,” $2.3 million.

7. “Tin Cup,” $1.8 million.

8. Tie between “A Time to Kill,” and “The Rich Man’s Wife,” $1.6 million.

10. “Independence Day,” $1.5 million.