‘Training Day’ Keeps Top Spot From Being Stolen by ‘Bandits’

Moviegoers preferred violent crime to the comedic variety as “Training Day” remained the No. 1 weekend film, edging the bank-robbery comedy “Bandits,” which had a weaker than expected opening.

“Training Day,” starring Denzel Washington as a corrupt narcotics detective, was the top film for the second straight weekend with an estimated $13.55 million. “Bandits,” featuring Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton and Cate Blanchett, was No. 2 with an estimated $13.46 million.

“Corky Romano,” a mob comedy starring “Saturday Night Live” regular Chris Kattan, opened in third place with $9.3 million. The weekend’s other wide-release debut, the martial-arts adventure “Iron Monkey,” was No. 6 with $6 million.

Distributor MGM had expected “Bandits” to open in the $20-million range.

“Bandits” opened very wide, playing 3,207 cinemas, averaging an anemic $4,198 a theater. Playing in 2,712 theaters, “Training Day” averaged $4,994 after averaging a strong $8,315 in its opening weekend.

MGM blamed the weak showing of “Bandits” on nervousness over anthrax scares and government warnings of terrorist attacks, said Robert Levin, MGM’s head of distribution.

“Bandits” was especially hurt on opening day Friday after a new anthrax case was reported involving an NBC employee, Levin said.

“People became really attentive to the news that day,” Levin said.

Yet “Training Day” held up well. Jeff Goldstein, general sales manager for “Training Day” distributor Warner Bros., said the movie did slightly less business Friday than anticipated.

“We got hurt a little bit, particularly in Eastern cities, because of the day’s news,” Goldstein said.

Overall, Hollywood had a healthy weekend. The top 12 films grossed $78.8 million, up 6.4% from the same weekend a year ago.

David Lynch’s “Mulholland Dr.,” a dark tale of love and obsession in Hollywood, grossed $708,000 in 68 theaters. The movie expands to about 200 theaters next week.

“My First Mister,” a drama starring Albert Brooks and Leelee Sobieski, grossed $105,000 in 33 theaters.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Final figures are to be released Monday.

1. “Training Day,” $13.55 million.

2. “Bandits,” $13.46 million.

3. “Corky Romano,” $9.3 million.

4. “Serendipity,” $9 million.

5. “Don’t Say a Word,” $6.8 million.

6. “Iron Monkey,” $6 million.

7. “Zoolander,” $5.1 million.

8. “Joy Ride,” $4.9 million.

9. “Max Keeble’s Big Move,” $4 million.

10. “Hearts in Atlantis,” $2.8 million.