"Air Force One' flies to top of list

Bravery triumphed over buffoonery at the box office this weekend as Air Force One beat out jungle bumbler George of the Jungle.

Men in Black, which held the No. 1 spot for three weeks against a raft of new films, dipped to third place with $12.6-million, Exhibitor Relations Co. said Sunday.

Air Force One, starring Harrison Ford as the chief executive held hostage by Russian terrorists aboard the presidential jet, opened in wide release with an estimated $37.1-million in ticket sales.

George of the Jungle hung onto the No. 2 slot for the second week in a row with $13.2-million.

Final figures were to be released today. The top films from Friday through Sunday:

1. Air Force One, $37.1-million.

2. George of the Jungle, $13.2-million.

3. Men in Black, $12.6-million.

4. Contact, $9.5-million.

5. Good Burger, $7.3-million.

6. Nothing to Lose, $6.7-million.

7. Face/Off, $5.6-million.

8. My Best Friend's Wedding, $4.5-million.

9. Hercules, $2.9-million.

10. Operation Condor, $1.6-million.

_ Compiled from Times wire reports