[2] It was built on the site of the first Carlton Cinema (1915–1936)[2] and was designed by architects Robinson & Keefe.

Inside, the decoration relied principally on the use of paint and lighting, but two large displays with a musical instrument motif were formed by twenty panels on either side of the screen.

In 1956, the cinema held the European premiere of Rock Around the Clock and it played to packed houses for three weeks.

[5] Many concerts were held on the stage in the 1970s, from performers such as Duke Ellington, Cleo Lane, Johnny Cash, James Last, Fats Domino, Nana Mouskouri, Rory Gallagher, Marlene Dietrich, and Don McLean.

It closed on 20 October 1994; two of the final films screened were Singin' in the Rain and Rock Around the Clock.