Go-ahead for porn movie screening

Linda Boreman starred as Linda Lovelace in the film

Councillors have agreed the infamous 1972 movie Deep Throat can be shown after watching a screening of the film.

Members of South Lakeland Council licensing committee decided on Thursday the Linda Lovelace film can be shown at Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre.

The film was declared obscene by New York state, but was the first pornographic film to be seen widely at cinemas and made £414m at box offices.

The Brewery also plans to show a documentary on how the film was made.

The councillors had a presentation from the cinema manager Lou George on Thursday morning when they had a chance to ask questions.

Then they went into the Brewery theatre to watch the film before holding deliberations in private and agreeing that the film could be shown.

Explicit content

South Lakeland licensing manager Steve Wearing said the reason the cinema had had to apply for a licence was the film had a restricted 18 certificate, meaning it cannot automatically be shown in mainstream cinemas.

He said the committee had agreed the film could be screened without any additional conditions, for instance people having to be members of a club to watch it.

The film, which cost around £12,500 to make, was banned in 23 states in America because of its explicit content.

It caused such outrage when it was released that co-star Harry Reems was convicted of obscenity in 1976.

A prolific porn star, he faced a potential five-year jail term but the conviction was overturned after the likes of Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty came to his defence.

The UK also banned Deep Throat for 28 years, with it only being passed uncut in 2000.