National Video Rentals : ‘Dennis the Menace’ Makes His Move

“Dennis the Menace” charged up to No. 2 in its second week on the chart and should remain in the Top 5 at least through early December: It’s the kind of family movie that rents big during the Thanksgiving holiday, even though many critics found it too violent for toddlers. The black Western “Posse” blazed a trail up the chart very quickly, bounding from No. 13 to 6. “Born Yesterday,” the comedy loaded with star power, had a strong second week too, moving up from No. 18 to 8. “The Sandlot,” about kids and baseball, is scoring without star power, plowing its way into the Top 5, from No. 11 to 4. “Cop and a Half,” the comedy starring Burt Reynolds, continues to move at a relative snail’s pace--up three notches to No. 11. Could there be a backlash against Reynolds?

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1. “Indecent Proposal” 1 4 2. “Dennis the Menace” 9 2 3. “Point of No Return” 2 11 4. “The Sandlot” 11 3 5. “Falling Down” 3 13 6. “Posse” 13 2 7. “Groundhog Day” 4 11 8. “Born Yesterday” 18 2 9. “National Lampoon’s Loaded Weapon 1” 6 8 10. “Scent of a Woman” 8 15 * “The Muppet Christmas Carol” ... 1

* Destined to be one of the most popular Christmas-themed movies of the holiday season, this kid-oriented version of “A Christmas Carol” features Michael Caine as Scrooge cavorting with the Muppet Gang. With a $23 price tag, it’s geared to the sales market, but retailers expect it to do good rental business too, particularly in the two weeks before Christmas. It debuted at No. 28.

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.