Eros Films
 | |
| Industry | Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Founded | May 1947 |
| Founder |
|
| Defunct | June 1961 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy |
| Headquarters | , United Kingdom |
| Products | Motion pictures |
Eros Filmswas a British film distribution and, later, production company, in operation from May 1947 to June 1961. It was founded by three brothers: Philip, Sydney, and Michael Hyams.
Hyams Bros[edit]
The Hyams' father was a Russian immigrant baker, who in association with architectGeorge Colesfinanced the building of the Popular Cinema in 1912, located inStepney, London.[1]The oldest brother Philip (born London 26 March 1894; died London 8 January 1997) began working at the theatre in 1912 and was joined in 1919 by his younger brother Sydney. The two started a chain of cinemas that they then sold toGaumont Britishin 1928; they began anew, creating another theatre chain. They linked again with Gaumont in 1935 to form Gaumont Super Cinemas, adding their brother Michael.
During the years of theGreat Depression,the brothers attracted crowds by bookingdouble bills,live variety acts, and talent shows.[2]They sold again to Gaumont in 1944, due to reduced patronage during theLondon Blitz.
History[edit]
In 1947, the brothers formed Eros Films, located at 111 Wardour Street, London, which was possibly named afterthe statueatPiccadilly Circus.Eros distributed American films but also financed and distributed British films made by independents; several British producers recalled that major British production units did not wish to distribute the films of minor British studios.[3]Robert S. BakerofTempean Filmsrecalled that Eros distributed 20 to 30 of their films, usually shown assecond featureswith popular American films, which Eros had acquired for UK distribution.[4]
In the 1950s, Michael Hyams emigrated to the United States, where he became vice president of American British TV Movies Inc.[5]The company distributed Eros' British productions to the American television market likeColonel March of Scotland Yard,Scotland Yardand a number of Eros-produced feature films.
Co-production and production[edit]
Eros co-produced British films such asThe Man Who Watched Trains Go By(1954),The Sea Shall Not Have Them(1955),[4]and the American giant monster filmBehemoth, the Sea Monster(1959), insisting the film have the same type of monster asThe Beast from 20,000 Fathoms.[6]
The company produced one film by themselves, the British World War II filmBattle of the V-1(1958).
The end of Eros[edit]
Irving AllenandAlbert R. Broccoli'sWarwick Filmshad previously had a successful financing and distribution arrangement withColumbia Pictures,but there was occasionally friction between the two organisations. Allen thought they would increase their profits by creating their own distribution company to release films of a more highbrow nature than their successful action films. The two acquired Eros[7]from the Hyams brothers in 1959, though the brothers remained on the board.[8]Eros distributed Allen and Broccoli'sThe Trials of Oscar WildeandJohnny Nobody,but both films failed at the box office.
The number of creditors and amounts owed by Eros led to the firm'sbankruptcyin June 1961.[9]
References[edit]
- ^Rubinstein, William D.,Jolles, Michael &Rubinstein, Hilary L.The Palgrave Dictionary of Anglo-Jewish HistoryPalgrave Macmillan, 15/03/2011. p. 44.
- ^Eyles, Allen. "Obituary: Phil Hyams".The Independent,17 February 1997.
- ^McFarlane, Brian & Slide, Anthony.The Encyclopedia of British Film.Methuen, 2003. p. 205.
- ^abMacKillop, Ian & Sinyard, Neil.British Cinema in the 1950s: An Art in Peacetime.Manchester University Press, 28/06/2003. p. 178
- ^Moser, James D.International Television Almanac.Quigley Publishing Company, 1957. p. 486.
- ^Weaver, Tom. "Eugene Lourie"Starlog,Issue #193, August 1993, p. 65.
- ^Broccoli, Albert R. & Zec, Donald.When the Snow Melts: The Autobiography of Cubby Broccoli.Boxtree, 1998. p. 126.
- ^Motion Picture Herald.Quigley Publishing Company, 1959. p. 15.
- ^"Issue 42384"(PDF).The London Gazette.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 28 May 2013.Retrieved13 December2022.
