Scotland- IT was one of the most infamous films of its generation.

Deep Throat, www.xxxdeepthroat.com, became the most profitable movie of all time and made its star, Linda Lovelace, an icon of the 1970s.

Moviegoers flocked in their thousands to see the first mainstream pornographic feature, famed at the time for its real-life oral sex scenes.

But Deep Throat’s legacy was tainted forever when Lovelace later disowned the film, denouncing the porn industry and claiming she only made the movie because her then husband threatened her.

Now, more than 30 years after its release, the city council has found itself at the centre of a fresh row over the movie after being asked for special permission to allow two late-night screenings.

Councillors more used to dealing with licences for hot dog stalls, taxis and markets will have to rule on whether the film can be shown. And they may even decide to view the hardcore film before making a ruling later this week.

Anti-porn campaigners have demanded the council boot out the bid by the Cameo cinema, in Tollcross, which plans to show it to accompany a new documentary about the film and the story of Lovelace.

Despite being a huge box-office hit in the United States, the film was never screened in sex cinemas in the UK, although it has been available to buy on video or DVD for the last five years.

According to the current licensing regulations, screenings of R18 movies can only be hosted by cinemas being operated as a club.

The Cameo, which has its own membership scheme, has told the city council that it is planning to stage two late-night screenings of the film on June 17 and 18.

Ian Hoey, the cinema’s general manager, said: “We’re planning to show Deep Throat as a companion piece to the documentary, which looks at the full cultural impact of the film and we feel it’s appropriate to let the people of Edinburgh see them both and make their own minds up.

“By all accounts, the documentary gives the impression that no-one backs up Lovelace’s claims and it was several years before she came out and made them.

“We have our own club here and it may be that we have to restrict attendance at the screening to our members, but I’ll find out when we go up to the council next week.”

However, Catherine Harper, spokeswoman for the Scottish Women Against Pornography Campaign, said the Cameo was trying to “legitimise” Deep Throat by claiming it was being shown as a companion piece.

She said: “Linda Lovelace was virtually a victim of slavery and it’s well known that she had a gun virtually held to her head while the film was being made. To suggest that this film has artistic or cultural value is claptrap. Are they seriously trying to say that the same people who will watch this will be the same as those who go to see the documentary? The council should not be allowing this film to be shown.”

And Labour councillor Lorna Shiels, who was appointed to a Scottish Executive taskforce which will explore Scotland’s lapdancing clubs and sex shops earlier this year, said: “I don’t see any reason why the Cameo should be showing it and I totally agree with what Catherine Harper is saying. There can’t be any artistic or cultural reason for screening this.”

A council spokesman said: “The council has received a request from the Cameo to screen a film authorised R18 by the BBFC. Details of this request will be considered by the Regulatory Committee which will determine whether or not to grant this request.”