The number of screens was increased to 437 for the second week but the film dropped to eight place on the chart.

Jobless Applications Increase Initial jobless applications inched up in early December, increasing for the second consecutive week, the Labor Department said.

LEAD: The assets of the nation's 519 money market mutual funds increased by $3.76 billion, to $415.11 billion, for the week that ended Wednesday.

"Today" in fact increased its morning dominance with a 5.5 rating for the week, up from 5 the previous week.

Yields on tax-exempt money funds increased for the second consecutive week, as supplies of new issues continue to overwhelm investor demand.

The assets of the nation's 609 retail money market mutual funds increased by $6.60 billion, to $386.32 billion, for the week ended Wednesday, according to the Investment Company Institute.

LEAD: Assets of the nation's 453 money market mutual funds increased by $182 million, to $267.15 billion, for the week ended Wednesday, the Investment Company Institute said yesterday.

Yields on certificates of deposit and money market mutual funds increased slightly for the week ended yesterday, but those on bank money market accounts slipped a notch.

Separately, the Government reported yesterday that jobless claims increased 11,000, to 310,000, for the week that ended on July 10.

The assets of the nation's 604 retail money market mutual funds increased $383.4 million, to $389.99 billion, for the week ended Wednesday, the Investment Company Institute said yesterday.