News & Notes

The 'Mandy' Man Can
Lately Paula Abdul, Milli Vanilli, Janet Jackson, and the other standard characters on Billboard's music video charts have given up the No. 1 spot to — surprise — Barry Manilow. The pop pasha taped his hot Barry Manilow: Live on Broadway (6 West, $19.95) during his world concert tour last year. ''Nobody's more surprised than I am,'' says Manilow, who sings a 22-minute ''Gonzo Hits Medley'' that includes ''I Write the Songs'' and ''Copacabana'' for his fans. (''And for those of you who were dragged ere tonight,'' he says on the video, ''this medley is going to be agony.'') The show, which grossed $28 million worldwide, features skits about growing up in Brooklyn, learning to play the accordion, and playing backup for Bette Midler. ''I keep reading abouu Madonna's new show being so innovative because she does scenes,'' he says. ''We were doing that over two years ago.''

Red Tapes
The Soviet Union's first video rental machines will show up in September, when Los Angeles-based J2 Communications begins installing video vendors for tourists in Moscow and Leningrad hotels. The machines, which require major credit cards, will offer 124 English-language titles. J2 also will help provide VCRs for the hotel rooms. ''Foreign businessmen will use these a lot,'' saysay spokesman for J2. ''Most of them end up there with absolutely nothing to do at night.''

Rethinking Rebecca
Alfred Hitchcock fans who wonder what his 1940 movie Rebecca would have been like if Joan Fontaine hadn't played the lead role need wonder no moror Screen tests of Vivien Leigh, Margaret Sullavan, Anne Baxter, Loretta Young, and Fontaine herself trying out for the role are included on a 50th anniversary laserdisc edition out this month from the Voyager Co. ($124.95). The disc also has footage from the 1941 Academy Awards ceremony (the film won Best Picture) and a running commentary by Hitchcock scholar Leonard J. Leff.