‘Vietnam’ Nears $100-Million Mark

Several debut films shot their way into the weekend box office derby, but Robin Williams’ “Good Morning, Vietnam” maintained its hold on the top spot. The Vietnam War-era comedy could top the $100-million mark in the next two weeks, which will make it the second Touchstone picture (“Three Men and a Baby” was the first) to crack the “century mark” this year. MGM/UA--the shared distribution company serving the two separate production firms--is also on the rise, with the new thriller “Masquerade” and (after 11 weeks) “Moonstruck” taking two of the top five slots.

* Although it was released in a very few theaters nationally, Warner Bros.’ “Stand and Deliver,” a film based on the achievements of East L.A. teacher Jaime Escalante, benefitted from wide publicity and overwhelmingly positive reviews. It took in more than $13,000 per theater its first weekend.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average in Release 1. Good Morning, Vietnam $4.4 1,579 10 (Touchstone/Disney) $91.6 $2,767 2. Vice Versa $4.1 1,225 1 (Columbia) $4.1 $3,306 3. Masquerade $3.5 1,030 1 (MGM/UA) $3.5 $3,398 4. Off Limits $2.8 1,366 1 (20th Century Fox) $2.8 $2,047 5. Moonstruck $2.7 1,155 11 (MGM/UA) $49.4 $2,309 * Stand and Deliver $.412 30 1 (Warner Bros.) $.412 $13,730

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.