ABC Savoy Cinema Model Front

The ABC Savoy Model front depicts an art-deco style theatre. It is created by Superquick Model Kits. However, this model was initially intended to be accompanied by two other buildings, a post office and a chemist. This item was also created by Superquick Model Kits to be used as part of the backdrop for a miniature railway set. The Superquick Model Kits suggest that this selection is intended to be ‘[t]ypical of an urban environment; this kit is of a low relief profile to create a detailed backdrop to the edge of an urban layout.’ (“Cinema, Post Office & Shop”), suggesting that this is meant to evoke a sense of realism to the creators miniature railway set. 

Although, Carter states that 1899 marks the beginning of the creation of toy trains, they suggest ‘1918 would be a better start date’ (214) as it is here with the consequences of the First World War and the fact that ‘new houses tended to be much smaller that their Victorian and Edwardian counterparts.’ (Carter 215), had affected the production of toy trains. With shrinking house sizes and lack of materials, toy trains resembled what we expect from them today, smaller in size than the originals. Yet despite this, this is not where railway modelling began. Instead ‘railway modelling emerged from the toy train industry’s belly, opportunities beckoned for men commanding engineering skill and commercial nous.’ (Carter 226), suggesting that although models are a part of the toy train industry, they not only emerged later, they did so with an older age demographic with the ability and knowledge to be able to make them from kits. Similarly, Carter notes how this hobby, and therefore the item on display, are intended for a male audience, where ‘[m]any men end stereotyped accounts of prized layouts by thanking long-suffering wives for putting up with modelling’s dirt and disorder; but wives are conjured as domestic tyrants no less often.’ (Carter 204).  Similarly, Twitchell suggests that ‘clearly men in their midlife [...] found in these trains the out-of-reach magic of their own childhood.’ (73), suggesting that these model trains are intended to provide the joy for men in their evoke the imagery of the creator's childhood. 

The development of the modelmaking area of the toy train industry’s ‘[p]opularity exploded in the seventies.’ (Carter 228), with '[m]any cottage industrialists start as enthusiasts making highly specialised things for their own uses, but then realise that enough other people want those things to warrant shifting into small-scale manufacturing.’ (Carter 228), this seemingly is where Superquick Model Kits emerged from. They state on their website that they have been “[m]anufacturing products for the railway modelling industry for over 60 years.’ (“About Us”), which would date their origins just before this boom, suggests that Superquick Model Kits were part of the precursor to them. However, although ‘the best kits are so elaborate that - if built skilfully - they produce something that graced any museum’s glass case one generation ago.’ (Carter 228), this model is sold as a part of the ‘Low Relief Series’ suggesting that there is instead a desire to participate in the crafting side of modelling, without the high stress and necessity of perfection. This is seen through the fact that the building is made of card and glue rather than metal and needing to complete soldering, suggesting that these are intended for either beginners who do not have the know-how to complete more complex projects, or for experienced modellers who want to complete a cheaper and less strenuous project.

The Superquick Models follow the idea that model trains, ‘combine the nostalgia of yesterday with the high technology of today.’ (Eichenberg 45). This can be seen through the use of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, along with vintage style shops, evokes this sense of nostalgia. However, the ABC Savoy instead is modelled in an art deco style, making it look incredibly modern against the rest of the buildings. This aligns with Gardiner’s report that one of ABC Cinema’s ‘the 1931 Liverpool Forum, with its interior modelled on the Chrysler Building in New York, itself only completed in May 1930.’ (663), portrays the ABC cinema chain bringing in the idea of modernity and style into the idea of the glamour of the cinema-going. This style acts in opposition to that of the Victorian and Edwardian buildings that Superquick Models usually produces, the creation reflects the importance that the cinema serves within the society which the sets are attempting to evoke. The cinema was considered to be a ‘new luxe chain [cinema]’ (Gardiner 665), suggesting that these cinemas, are intended to not only evoke luxury, but by being given the modern, and futuristic style that comes with art deco architecture, suggests the view of the cinema as a part of the future of entertainment. 

The cinema model evokes the imagery of the ABC Savoy cinemas created by the ABC Cinema. The ABC cinema company was founded initially in 1928. Gardiner suggests that ‘‘[t]he third mighty cinema chain, Associated British Cinema (ABC), was built up by a Scottish solicitor, John Maxwell, who by 1937 owned 431 cinema.’ (663), suggesting that these cinemas are now a major part of the identity of British Cinemas. The boom of cinemas in this just over ten year period, shows the popularity of these cinemas. The name ‘Savoy’ appears to be a common name for cinemas in the chain, with both the Exeter and Brighton branch being named so. The website Exeter Memories also notes that ‘the company also ran cinemas under the Regal and Ritz names.’ (Cornforth), which is uncited, however, Cinema Treasures, does log other cinemas sharing these names. However, the name Savoy seems to be the main name that is associated with the ABC Cinema, meaning that it is the title that the buyers would associate with the chain. 

The time period that the figure is presenting can be suggested to be 1962, as the figure displays a poster for The Music Man, a film that came out that year. This suggests that this miniature is intended to be used within a model set that is evoking this time period. Hillier suggests that ‘[t]he long-lasting popularity of The Music Man and the affection it inspires have made it a popular reference point’ (150), suggesting this film has such popularity that it has been evoked in this model, specifically evoking this time. Similarly, this film is set in ‘early twentieth-century small-town America.’ (Hillier 148), suggesting the film itself evokes a sense of the nostalgia that the model is also intended to evoke.

As the ABC cinemas are now defunct the figure of ABC is now a figure of nostalgia. Despite the large number of ABC Cinemas, it does not appear that this model was intending to depict a specific cinema and is instead just used to evoke the aesthetics of the ABC cinema. This suggests that ABC cinemas are such a part of the nostalgic British psyche, that there is instead a need to create an evocation of one in order to appeal to a wide range of buyer’s nostalgia. 

Although we are aware of the company that created the model. There is no evidence who the initial designer/s were nor do we know who the initial builder of the model is. This model does not have photos as it is on display at Exeter’s The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum. 

“About Us.”  Superquick Model Kits,  Accessed 14 Dec. 2024, https://www.superquick.co.uk/. 

Carter, Ian. British Railway Enthusiasm, Manchester University Press, 2014.

“Cinema, Post Office & Shop.” Superquick Model Kits,  Accessed 14 Dec. 2024, https://www.superquick.co.uk/newpage6682a43e. 

Cornforth, David. “Savoy, ABC Cinema, London Inn Square.”  Exeter Memories, Updated 12 Mar 2014, https://www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/abc.php, Accessed 16 Dec 2024. 

Eichenberg, Dennis. “TOY TRAINS.” Popular Electronics, Vol. 13, No. 9, Accessed 16. Dec 2024, pp.45, https://web-p-ebscohost-com.uoelibrary.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=f07db28f-384f-45f3-b81d-29b775f44bfa%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=9607262146&db=bth. 

Gardiner, Juliet. The Thirties: An Intimate History. Harper Press, 2010.

Hillier, Jim. “The Music Man.” 100 Film Musicals, BFI Publishing, 2017, pp. 148-150.