National Video Rentals : ‘Gentleman’ Inches to the Top

The Eddie Murphy comedy “The Distinguished Gentleman” certainly distinguished itself, inching past “Passenger 57” and taking over the top spot on the rental chart. The surge was surprising since a lot of retailers figured “Gentleman” wasn’t an attractive enough rental to pass “Passenger 57.” What’s been surprising is that “A River Runs Through it” jumped from No. 9 to No. 4. Some retailers report it has strong appeal in rural areas--particularly in the Midwest and the South--that are much like the movie’s setting. Two newcomers opened big: “Hoffa” ($23.3-million gross) at No. 6 and “Toys” ($21.3-million gross) at No. 9. Video favorites Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito should help “Hoffa” do good business for the next few weeks at least. “Toys,” though, has received such horrible word-of-mouth that even the lure of Robin Williams may not keep it in the Top 10 for long.

* This movie pulled in $17.1 million at the box office and is expected to do fair business in the rental market. It premiered at No. 15 and should make the Top 10. Some retailers predict this movie, with a older cast headed by Shirley MacLaine, will be a big rental among the post-40 audience.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1. “The Distinguished Gentleman” 2 4 2. “Passenger 57” 1 8 3. “Under Siege” 3 9 4. “A River Runs Through It” 9 2 5. “Consenting Adults” 4 9 6. “Hoffa” -- 1 7. “Trespass” 5 4 8. “The Mighty Ducks” 6 7 9. “Toys” -- 1 10. “Glengarry Glen Ross” 11 2 * “Used People” -- 1

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.