A FILM fan is hiring Bournemouth’s ABC cinema so he can revive a favourite movie before the venue closes.

Adrian Cox will screen Flash Gordon to friends and family today on the giant ABC1 screen.

He and his brother have produced their own commemorative programme about the 1980 film and the history of the ABC.

They will also exhibit some vintage movie posters in the foyer, including the original poster for Showboat – the film that had its UK premiere at the ABC in 1951.

Bournemouth’s two grand 1930s cinemas, the Odeon and ABC, are due to close in the coming months ahead of the opening of an Odeon multiplex in the BH2 leisure complex nearby.

Flash Gordon, released in December 1980, became famous for Brian Blessed’s performance as bird man Prince Vultan, Max Von Sydow’s turn as Ming the Merciless and for Queen’s soundtrack, whose theme was a top 10 hit single.

Adrian attracted national publicity last year when he hired the ABC for Bournemouth’s first licensed showing of Monty Python’s Life of Brian. The council banned it to under-18s in 1980.