FILM DEBUTS WITH TRIBUTE

   "The Dark Knight" premiere in New York on Monday got a thumbs-up and a "very good" from the father of the late actor Heath Ledger, according to People.

   Kim Ledger and wife Ines, Heath's stepmother, slipped into the theater to watch the late actor play The Joker in the latest "Batman" film. Also there were Heath's older sister, Kate, and his mother, Sally Bell, with her husband.

   Heath Ledger's co-stars used the occasion to pay tribute to him.

   "He steals the movie and I'm quite happy to say that," said Christian Bale, 34, who reprises his role as the Caped Crusader.

   Ledger, who died of an accidental prescriptiondrug overdose Jan. 22 has garnered Oscar buzz for his role as the smiley yet sinister Joker. Anticipation for "The Dark Knight" has been at a fever pitch with midnight shows having sold out so quickly that owners nationwide have had to continue adding 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. showtimes.

   Local fans have been camping out at Cinemark and will also be lining up Thursday night for the minutes-after-midnight shows at Tinseltown, Chapel Hills, Gold Hill and Hollywood Theaters.