Opening on 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. It was 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. It has hosted numerous world premieres and Royal Film performances. Perhaps the most modified of Odeon’s theatres. As the flagship venue it has been subject to continuous updates since its opening seeing refits and refurbishments in 1953, 1967, 1990, 1998, 2011 & 2018.