"Fahrenheit 9/11" turns on box office heat

Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage: "LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Director Michael Moore's controversial documentary 'Fahrenheit 9/11' has turned on the box office heat in its first day breaking single-day records at the two New York City cinemas where it played.
The movie, which aims a critical eye at U.S. President George W. Bush and his prosecution of the war in Iraq, sold $49,000 (35,000 pounds) worth of tickets at the Loew's Village 7 cinema, beating the venue's single-day record of $43,435 held by 1997's 'Men in Black,' according to distributors Lions Gate Films and IFC Films.
At the Lincoln Plaza cinema, 'Fahrenheit 9/11' took in more than $30,000 to top the $24,013 set by 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' in 2000.

A spokesman for Lions Gate Films said the company debuted the movie in the two cinemas to help build good word-of-mouth -- friend telling friend -- publicity ahead of the wide debut on Friday when it plays in 868 cinemas in all 50 states.

Online ticket service Fandango.com on Wednesday reported that "Fahrenheit 9/11" was making up 48 percent of advance ticket sales for the weekend ahead, compared to 11 percent for "Dodgeball" and 9 percent for next week's "Spider-Man 2"
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