It was almost a hat trick, as sequels -- led by Warner Bros.' launch of "Major League II"-- took three of the top four slots on the holiday weekend. The second inning for the baseball comedy barely scored with $ 7 million to limp to the top of the charts.
The other freshmen entries also displayed less than all-star physique. Orion's brat comedy "Clifford" ranked sixth with $ 2.5 million, while Warner Bros.' animated "Thumbelina" had an inert $ 2.4 million in seventh. Further down the list at 11th was Miramax's "The House of the Spirits" meller with $ 1.8 million and Paramount's star wannabe "Jimmy Hollywood" with a tarnished $ 1.5 million in 12th spot.
The flowers were definitely wilting on the box office Easter bonnet as strong holiday Friday attendance went flat Saturday. The lack of momentum prompted a myriad of speculation Sunday that ranged from basketball finals on TV to the loss of school vacation days on the East Coast due to bad weather. One bold studio exec even dared to suggest that business was off because of the films available.
"Major League II's"$ 7 million ascent was driven in against less-than-sterling competition. The original, released in 1989,opened with $ 8.8 million in one-third fewer playdates for a $ 5,700 average. The sequel had a $ 3 ,230 average from 2,167 ballparks, which could mean a fast trip to the farm teams. The Wednesday opener crossed the plate with a $ 9.7 million cume.
"Major League" star Charlie Sheen bested big brother Emilio Estevez, as Disney's "D2: The Mighty Ducks" went quacking down in its second semester with an estimated $ 6.6 million for the weekend silver. The pucksters had great momentum going into the holiday but finished the frame with a 36% decline. The film had a $ 2,980 average in 2,215 rinks for a cume of $ 21.4 million.
'Paper' unfolds
Universal's "The Paper" added about 450 runs for a third-place $ 5.6 million. That helped to ease the circulation erosion to 20%. The tabloid tale finished the frame with a $ 3,630 average from 1,544 editions. Its 12-day cume is $ 15.6 million.
The long, not so hotsy, Good Friday weekend put a damper on 1994 grosses as the overall picture dimmed by some 10% from seven days earlier. The ostensible good news was that revenues were even from the comparable period of 1993.
However, Easter fell a week later last year, with Paramount's "Indecent Proposal" leading the pack on a $ 24.5 million five-day gross. The additional bad news is this year a handful more releases are generating that comparable sum.
Paramount's "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult" was reporting $ 5.3 million for fourth position. The cop capertics slid 34% to book a $ 2,220 average from 2 ,383 precincts. After three weekends, it's grossed $ 33 1/3 million.
Oscar pix fade
Even Oscar could not survive the box office doldrums, as Universal's "Schindler's List" took a 30% hit to finish fifth with about $ 4 million. The searing drama had a comparatively strong $ 2,900 average from 1,377 playdates. Its $ 74.9 million cume is the second-best calendar 1994 total for a film.
Fox's "Mrs. Doubtfire," the year's top earner, edged closer to becoming the first title to earn $ 100 million post-Jan. 1. Its $ 1.5 million weekend puts 1994 revenues at $ 99.3 million and the cume from Thanksgiving at $ 211 million.
'Brief's' long run
The past weekend also looked good (or at least close) for Warner Bros.' "The Pelican Brief" to pass the century mark. Weekend estimates in subruns were roughly $ 700,000, which would provide a $ 99.9 million cume. Today's actuals will determine whether it hit the target Sunday.
Orion's latest escapee, the frantic comedy "Clifford," debuted with a tepid $ 2.5 million in sixth. The Martin Short starrer preemed in 1,011 situations for a $ 2,370 average. The numbers don't bode well for a "Clifford 2."
Warner Bros.' animated "Thumbelina" was close behind in seventh with $ 2.4 million. Despite recent complaints about a lack of family fare, there was a paucity of torn stubs for the vintage fairy tale. It had a $ 1,600 average from 1,502 dates for a cume of $ 3.2 million.
Freshman "House of the Spirits" via Miramax preemed with $ 1.8 million to finish the weekend in 11th position. The sprawling, soapy saga of the Pampas failed to clean up, eliciting a just OK $ 3,800 average from 474 haciendas.
Paramount's "Jimmy Hollywood" entered the B.O. hall of shame with its 12 th-place, $ 1.5 million weekend. The no-talent tale failed to perk audience interest, generating just $ 1,590 from 944 auditions. Its five-day cume is $1.9 million.
New Line's "Above the Rim" basketball drama ranked eighth with $ 2.3 million, suffering a 38% drop in competition against television coverage of hoop finals. The court hearings had a $ 2,670 average from 863 encounters. It's grossed $ 8.3 million to date.
Gramercy's "Four Weddings and a Funeral" continued to dispay the rice stuff with $ 2.1 million and ninth place. The comedy of manners added 200 playdates for 240 weekend engagements and posted a $ 8,790 average. That represents a 323% rise and brings its cume to $ 3.9 million.
Good time for 'Cronos'
October's Mexican chiller "Cronos" was the sole debut in indie exclusive, generating $ 18,500 from two Gotham screens. The oddball horror item scared up a respectable $ 25,000 in its first five days.
Rounding out in 10th was TriStar's "Guarding Tess" with $ 1.9 million. The comic thriller buckled 40% to finish the frame with a $ 1,310 average. Its 1,445 outposts have generated a $ 22.1 million cume.
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