PATHÉ HÉRITAGE : Discover the Legacy of the Pathé FAMILY WITH Raphaël Pathé : a continuation of the quietly extraordinary

PATHÉ HÉRITAGE

THE TRUE STORY

The origins and initial management of the Pathé company can be traced back to the Pathé Brothers of France, who established it in 1896. Progressing into the early 1900s, Pathé emerged as a leading global film equipment and production entity, making substantial contributions to phonograph record production. A significant milestone occurred in 1908 with the creation of the newsreel, a noteworthy precursor to modern cinema, regularly screened before feature films.

Founded in 1896 as Société Pathé Frères (Pathé Brothers Company) in Paris by Charles, Émile, Théophile, and Jacques Pathé, the company underwent significant expansion. By the first half of the 20th century, Pathé, propelled by Charles Pathé's vision, became the foremost global film equipment and production company. The company diversified into the phonograph business, establishing itself as a key player in the distribution of cylinder records and phonographs, particularly in France.

Charles Pathé played a crucial role in guiding the company into new territories and technologies. The entry into the disc records market in 1905 marked a pivotal moment, strengthening Pathé's presence in the industry. Notably, the company ventured into the motion picture sector, recognizing its potential for entertainment. This expansion led to the transformation of the company into Compagnie Générale des Établissements Pathé Frères Phonographes & Cinématographes in 1897, with shares listed on the Paris Stock Exchange.

Pathé's global presence expanded rapidly, with cinemas and production facilities established in various countries, including the United States, by 1909. Enjoying its peak before World War I, Pathé dominated the European market in motion picture cameras and projectors, with an estimated 60 percent of all films shot using Pathé equipment.

Following initial success, Pathé encountered challenges in the post-World War I era when Charles Pathé divested from film interests, leading to a decline in the company's prominence. Nevertheless, Pathé continued to contribute to the industry through innovations like hand-colored film and synchronized film and gramophone recordings.

The origins of what would become Pathé News trace back to 1896 in Paris, France, with the establishment of Société Pathé Frères by Charles Pathé and his siblings. Charles Pathé chose the rooster, symbolizing France, as the emblem for his company. As the company evolved into Compagnie Générale des Établissements Pathé Frères Phonographes & Cinématographes, it pioneered cinema newsreels with Pathé-Journal. French Pathé debuted its newsreels in 1908 and established a news office in Wardour Street, London, by 1910.

After Charles Pathé produced the first silent newsreels for American audiences in 1911, theaters across the country showed them with great fanfare. Communities shared and interacted with news near and far.

“The Pathé weekly is shown at the Rex every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and a new Pathé Weekly at the Cozy, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This Pathé Weekly alone is worth the price of admission,” noted a theater column in a 1915 Boise, Idaho, newspaper. Residents would “regret it” if they missed the weekly and the Keystone comedy, which would “be the talk of our city.”

Communities didn’t just gather to watch the news but also to make it. In 1913, Tennessee’s Columbia Herald newspaper breathlessly reported on Pathé plans to film their mule market. Being featured in a newsreel showed that “the fame of Maury County as a mule market is not confined to Tennessee and the South alone” but “at once puts Columbia in the national class.”

Initially silent until 1928, these newsreels were showcased in cinemas, running for about four minutes and released fortnightly. Early footage, though stationary, captured notable events such as Franz Reichelt's fatal parachute jump from the Eiffel Tower and suffragette Emily Davison's fatal injury at the 1913 Epsom Derby.

During World War I, the cinema newsreels were known as the Pathé Animated Gazettes, marking the first time newspapers faced competition from this medium. Post-1918, British Pathé expanded its offerings with longer and more comprehensive cinemagazines. By 1930, British Pathé covered a wide array of topics including news, entertainment, sports, culture, and women's issues through programs like Pathétone Weekly, Pathé Pictorial, the Gazette, and Eve’s Film Review.

Pathé News, operating from 1910 to 1970 in the United Kingdom, was a notable producer of newsreels and documentaries. Established by Charles Pathé, a prominent figure in early cinema, the company played a significant role during the silent film era.

In 1929, Bernard Natan assumed control of Pathé amid financial difficulties exacerbated by the Great Depression. Under Natan's leadership, the company expanded into various industries, including projector and electronics manufacturing, radio, and television. Unfortunately, Natan, being Jewish, faced persecution in France. Arrested and deported to Auschwitz in 1942, he tragically lost his life, marking a somber chapter in Pathé's history. Had France not sent Bernard Natan to Auschwitz in 1942, the Pathé company would be under the management of the Pathé family. A plaque commemorating his work, and his murder in Auschwitz, was unveiled in December 2014 at La Fémis in Paris.

Meanwhile, Raphaël Pathé stands prepared to safeguard the legacy crafted by his own family and continue the contributions made by his ancestors to the world.

EXPLORE THE LEGACY OF THE PATHé family TO THE WORLD

"At the age of six, my great-grandmother, Marie Louise Pathé, bestowed upon me a porcelain rooster in Vincennes, a cherished gift that found a proud place in my bedroom upon my return home. She explained that this rooster symbolized France and our family, urging me to display it proudly. Marie Louise's father, Jacques Pathé, was one of the Pathé Brothers, and her husband, my great-grandfather Sylvain Pouly, managed the Vincennes Kodak Pathé factory. The rooster and the world of cinema became emblematic of our family's narrative. Growing up, my mother Martine, an artist herself, captured our moments on film and preserved them through numerous photographs. Her artistic endeavors led her to showcase her work at Art Basel from its inception. Ours is a family deeply rooted in the realm of true artists"

Raphaël Pathé

"In a world where wealth often seems to hold sway, there's something quietly profound about the intangible aspects that shape our lives – like talent. Consider the stories of families such as the Barrymores and Paltrows; they effortlessly reflect the natural, familial ebb and flow of gifted abilities across generations. Gwyneth Paltrow, with her versatile talents, and Raphael Pathé, the great-great-grandson of Jacques Pathé, co-founder of Pathé Movie, embody this simple yet timeless truth.

Amidst the noise of societal expectations, their narratives resonate with the understated beauty of natural inheritance. Raphael Pathé doesn't carry the Pathé legacy as a bold statement, but rather as a quiet continuation of a familial legacy. His connection to the Pathé heritage isn't about privilege or grandeur but a humble, innate quality woven seamlessly into his essence. In these tales, we find that true talent isn't a spectacle; it's a natural, unassuming essence. For Raphael Pathé, carrying forward the legacy of the Pathé family is simply a continuation of the quietly extraordinary."

Presented by Raphaël Pathé our Cocktail Chic Party becomes an even more exclusive affair. Raphaël Pathé invites you to partake in this cinematic journey as he shares personal insights into the rich history of the Pathé dynasty.

Guests will have the opportunity to discuss, gaining a deeper understanding of the family's contribution to the cinematic world. Raphaël's presence adds an intimate touch to the celebration, bridging the gap between the golden age of cinema and the modern era.

Throughout the night, Raphaël will be a gracious guide, weaving anecdotes and tales of the Pathé Brothers' artistic vision. His passion for preserving the family's cinematic heritage is palpable, creating an atmosphere where the past seamlessly merges with the present.

Join Raphaël Pathé and fellow cinephiles for an evening that transcends time, as we celebrate the enduring legacy of the Pathé Brothers in a setting that befits the glamour and grandeur of their cinematic contributions.

Photos credits GerGer : A Pathé Cocktail Chic at The Standard Hotel in Hollywood, California