The History of the ABC Cinema Chain & the ABC Film Posters
For generations of British filmgoers, the three letters ABC were synonymous with going to the cinema.
Before multiplexes, streaming and home cinema, the local ABC was where families went to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster, where teenagers discovered their favourite stars and where audiences experienced films on the big screen for the very first time.
But what is the story behind the famous ABC name – and what makes an original ABC film poster such an interesting piece of cinema history?
The birth of ABC
ABC Cinemas was founded in 1927 by Scottish solicitor and cinema entrepreneur John Maxwell, who brought together three existing Scottish cinema circuits.
The company grew at remarkable speed. During the 1930s, ABC acquired cinemas throughout Britain while also embarking on an ambitious programme of building new picture houses.
Many of these cinemas were designed under the direction of architect W. R. Glen, creating the distinctive architectural style that became associated with the ABC name.
By the 1940s, ABC had become one of Britain's largest cinema chains, operating more than 400 cinemas across the country.
For millions of Britons, the ABC triangle became a familiar sight on the High Street.
The golden age of cinema
The post-war years were a golden age for British cinema.
Audiences flocked to see stars such as Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, Elvis Presley and Alfred Hitchcock's leading actors, while ABC cinemas became an important part of everyday British life.
The chain also played an important role in the changing cinema experience.
Wide-screen films, CinemaScope and 3-D were among the innovations that ABC cinemas embraced as the industry fought to compete with the growing popularity of television.
And every new major film needed advertising.
This is where the film poster comes in.
What makes an ABC film poster special?
Original British film posters were produced specifically to advertise films in cinemas.
An ABC cinema would display posters outside and around the building, encouraging passing audiences to come inside and see the latest release.
Many posters from this era therefore carry a fascinating connection to the cinema itself.
They aren't simply advertisements for films – they are surviving pieces of the experience of going to the pictures.
For collectors, an original British cinema poster can provide a tangible link to the period in which a film was originally released.
From ABC to the modern cinema
The ABC story continued through several changes in ownership and the enormous transformation of the British cinema industry.
The rise of television in the 1950s and 1960s caused cinema attendances to fall dramatically, while the later arrival of multiplexes changed the traditional High Street cinema forever.
The ABC name itself eventually disappeared from most British High Streets, although the brand was revived for a period in the 1990s.
In 2000, the remaining ABC circuit was merged into the Odeon circuit.
Today, the famous ABC triangle survives mainly in the memories of former cinema-goers – and in the original memorabilia that remains from that era.
Collect a piece of ABC cinema history
At Original Poster, we love the connection between film posters and the cinemas where they were originally displayed.
Our collection of original vintage film posters includes posters from some of the most important films and stars in cinema history.
Whether you're looking for a particular film, actor or classic British poster, an original poster is more than something to put on the wall.
It is a piece of film history.
Browse our collection of original vintage film posters and discover a little piece of cinema history for yourself.
All posters sold by Original Poster are original vintage film posters – never reproductions – and are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity.