ABC Hendon

Hendon, London, England

260 Hendon Way

, Hendon, London, England, United Kingdom NW4 3NL

(map)

Status:	Closed
Screens:	Triplex
Style:	Art Deco

Function:	Gym
Seats:	1937
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	G.E. McLeavy
Firm:	Unknown

This large suburban cinema is located opposite Hendon Central underground railway (tube) station. It opened as the Ambassador Cinema on 15th February 1932. It was designed by architect G.E. McLeavy, working out of the office of the architectural firm of Henry F. Webb & Ash. It was built for London and Super Cinemas Ltd. and was equipped for live variety shows and its facilities included a cafe and a Compton 3Manual/8Ranks theatre organ. It was taken over by Gaumont British Cinemas in December 1933 and re-named Gaumont in 1949.

The Gaumont was one of many Rank Organisation theatres which were sold to the Classic Cinemas chain in December 1967 and they modernised the building and it re-opened as the Classic Cinema on 8th December 1968 with "Survival" and Pierre Etaix in "As Long As You're Healthy".

It was split into three screens in February 1973 with seating now 580, 399, and 423. Classic Cinemas were taken over by the Cannon Cinemas group and it was re-named Cannon in December 1985. Another name change came when Cannon Cinemas sold out to MGM Cinemas and it became the MGM Cinema from 1993, but this was short lived and a further final name change to ABC Hendon occured in 1996. The ABC was closed on 20th January 1997 with the films "Daylight", "Star Trek:First Contact", "Jingle All The Way", and "101 Dalmations".

The former Ambassador Cinema was converted into a Holmes Place gym and fitness centre, which is now known as the Virgin Active Health Club.

Contributed by Ken Roe

YOUR COMMENTS

Photographed as the Cannon Cinema in 1986:
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/138485813

posted by KenRoe on Dec 30, 2006 at 12:21am

As seen in October 2006 as Holmes Place, Health Club:
http://flickr.com/photos/satguru/279131119/

posted by KenRoe on Dec 30, 2006 at 12:39am

I was assistant manager here briefly between 1973-4 to the colourful Douglas Baker. Despite taking new releases a week after the Odeon, we regularly did better business. Once a junior projectionist opened the matinee very much the worse for wear following a lunchtime session causing me to shut down the show temporarily. No-one actually complained other than to point out the house lights were going up and down and the screen tabs opening and closing, all with the picture on the screen. In the box, the film was spilling all over the floor so the Chief had to be called in on his time off to put it right - and he was not best pleased.

posted by Chris Snowden on Sep 25, 2008 at 7:33am

The stage house, associated dressing room accommodation and back stage facilities have been demolished and replaced by apartments.

Photographed in April 2009:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3454180698/

posted by Ian on Apr 19, 2009 at 1:32am

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ABC Hendon

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