MOVIES - Nov. 20, 1992

‘Malcolm’ Opens Strong: Worries that moviegoers might be deterred by fears of violence proved unfounded Wednesday as “Malcolm X,” the year’s most heavily publicized film, drew a very strong $2.4 million in box office receipts on its opening day. Spike Lee’s epic, which opened at 1,124 theaters, attracted huge audiences in black neighborhoods and also did well in predominantly white areas. Industry sources said the figure is especially impressive given that many theaters were able to schedule only two showings of the 3-hour, 21-minute film. “We expected it to do well,” said Robert Friedman, Warner Bros. worldwide president for advertising and publicity. “This is way above that.” No violence was reported anywhere, he said.