The Hyams' father was a Russian immigrant baker, who in association with architect George Coles financed the building of the Popular Cinema in 1912, located in Stepney, London.

During the years of the Great Depression, the brothers attracted crowds by booking double bills, live variety acts, and talent shows.

In 1947, the brothers formed Eros Films, located at 111 Wardour Street, London, which was possibly named after the statue at Piccadilly Circus.

[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 like Colonel March of Scotland Yard, Scotland Yard and a number of Eros-produced feature films.

Irving Allen and Albert R. Broccoli's Warwick Films had previously had a successful financing and distribution arrangement with Columbia Pictures, but there was occasionally friction between the two organisations.