The cinema was constructed to showcase films in the various 70mm processes, in particular Dimension 150, as well as conventional 35mm films, allowing for considerable spectacle. However, it opened on 2 February 1967 with a Gala Premiere of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", a 35mm film in standard wide screen (1.75:1). This played for seven weeks and was followed by other 35mm presentations, including the World Premiere of "Robbery" on 21 September 1967. It was not until 16 October 1967 that the new Odeon played its first 70mm roadshow presentation with the Royal World Premiere of "Far from the Madding Crowd" in the presence of Princess Margaret. This was followed by the Royal World Premiere in the presence of HM Queen Elizabeth II on 12 December of "Doctor Dolittle", also a 70mm roadshow presentation which ran until 9 October 1968. Subsequent 70mm roadshow presentations were "Finian's Rainbow", "Hellfighters", and revivals of "West Side Story" and "Gone With the Wind". On 21 December 1969 the Royal Charity UK Premiere of "Hello Dolly" took place in the presence of The Duke of Edinburgh and ran until August 1970 when it was followed by "Cromwell". By the early seventies the supply of 70mm roadshow films was drying up; the Odeon found itself playing ordinary 35mm releases including Disney's "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" and "Herbie Rides Again", and 70mm presentations became few and far between.