Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square, 1937

Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square, 1937

My latest work is the beating heart of the UK's cinema scene. The Odeon Leicester square has, for decades, been the primary venue for world premieres and Royal Film performances. All your favourite movie stars have graced the red carpet here.

Shown here on its opening night, Tuesday 2 November 1937, showing The Prisoner of Zenda.

The Odeon Leicester Square was the jewel in the crown of Oscar Deutsch's cinema empire. Designed by Harry Weedon and Andrew Mather and built by Sir Robert McAlpine on the site of the former Alhambra Theatre. Though keeping with the striking modernist design common in many Odeon cinemas, it broke with convention in the choice of a polished black granite and its 37 metre tall tower. Perhaps the most modified of Odeon's theatres. As the flagship venue it has been subject to continuous updates since its opening, seeing multiple refits and refurbishments over the years.