A Melbourne cinema's operators have cancelled a screening of controversial 1970s film Deep Throat amid complaints from a women's rights group.

Gerard Damiano's pornographic film was scheduled for a rare public screening at The Astor in St Kilda on March 19.

The pornographic film Deep Throat has been a source of controversy since it was first released in the 1970s.

The cancellation of the screening, which was to be followed by a panel discussion, occurred on Friday following complaints from lobby group the Coalition Against Trafficking Women in Australia (CATWA).

After receiving the complaints The Astor's leaseholders, Palace Cinemas, quickly made the decision to cancel the screening.