ABC New Street

The street address of the Forum Cinema was 88/90 New Street (cormer of Ethel Street), Birmingham It originally opened as the Theatre De Luxe in 1908 (a conversion of a Masonic Hall). In the 1920's it was re-named Regent Cinema and was taken over by ABC Cinemas.

ABC commissioned their staff architect William R. Glen to reconstruct a modern cinema within the shell of the old building. Due to site restrictions it was a rather tall narrow cinema seating a total of 1,259 (501 stalls, 348 balcony and 410 upper circle). It was equipped with a Compton theatre organ. The Forum Cinema opened on 1st November 1930 and operated as a popular city centre cinema for the ABC circuit, due to its prime location. However it was no match for the new breed of purpose-built 'Super' cinemas that were being built such as the Gaumont Palace, Steelhouse Lane (1931) or the Paramount which opened just along New Street in 1937. ABC actually had much better cinemas operating in the suburbs of the city, than their Forum Cinema in the city centre.

The Forum Cinema was re-named ABC, New Street in 1961 and finally closed on 9th April 1983 with the film "ET". The building hasn't been totally demolished but it has been gutted internally with shops on the ground floor and office space above.

once again KenRoe you have come up trumps with this cinema.Where do you get your information from.Please E-Mail and let me Know.
d.demaine@tiscali.co.uk

I remember going to the Forum (ABC) as we still called it as a child with my mom. I used to love to sit right up high in what was locally called the 'gods'. It used to make my mom feel a bit sick :). I remember the seats being quite upright and hard compared to other cinemas and there were what we called opera glasses on the backs of the seats in front so you could see better. After the Odeon, New street this was my favourite cinema.

I started work at the ABC New Street in 1964, as a projectionist, i was just 15 years old at the time.
I worked there for about five years, and met my wife to be there, as well, she was a cashier.
Happy memories.
Dennis Thomas.....

dcj837@hotmail.com

A photo taken in October 2009 here:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4031614438/