WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

The nation’s movie theaters headed toward Labor Day (next weekend) with a noted changing of the guard. Fading fast are “The Living Daylights,” “The Lost Boys” and “Beverly Hills Cop II,” replaced by political thrillers such as “No Way Out” and “The Fourth Protocol.” Yet two late-summer sleepers continue to do well: Disney’s “Can’t Buy Me Love” ($2.7 million at 1,216 theaters; $17.4 million total thus far) and Columbia’s “La Bamba” ($2.6 million at 1,092 theaters; $37.6 million total). The fact that both films are being aggresively marketed through their sound tracks goes a long way toward explaining their longevity.

* In spite of some positive key reviews, Universal’s Cheech Marin vehicle fell off badly in its second weekend (40%-plus less business than its opening weekend). A very puzzling development, since Universal--seeing the opening grosses--began marketing the film in earnest once it opened. Next weekend’s figures should definitely fix the film’s course.

Figures courtesy of Exhibitor Relations Co.

Weekend Screens/ Weeks Movie gross/ Average in (Studio) Total release (millions) 1. Stakeout $4.7 1,341 4 (Touchstone / Buena Vista) $31.6 $3,401 2. No Way Out $3.8 1,128 3 (Orion) $16.1 $3,338 3. Dirty Dancing $3.7 975 2 (Vestron) $10.0 $3,760 4. The Fourth Protocol $3.6 1,061 1 (Lorimar) $3.6 $3,427 5. Hamburger Hill $3.4 814 1 (Paramount) $3.4 $4,128 * Born in East L.A. $2.5 1,065 2 (Universal) n/a $2,660