Pathé at the Heart of Cinema

1894

Charles Pathé opens his first phonograph store in Paris.

1896

Charles and Emile Pathé found Pathé Frères, specialised in the sale of phonographs and cinematographs. (Illustration with the two brothers – dominating cinema)

1896-1929

Pathé produces and distributes more than 10,000 films.

1898

Pathé Frères becomes an industry and opens its first phonograph factory in Chatou. Also, the creation of the first Pathé rooster.

1901

Pathé launches its film production department and opens its first studio.

1906

Pathé is the leader in cinema in the United States. In December, Pathé opens its first cinema in Paris.

1907

Pathé is a multinational company and launches the rental of films which replaces the sale and thus lays the foundations for the distribution of films.

1909

Creation of Pathé-Journal, "the first film journal in the Universe".

1914

Pathé creates serial films with the American series of The Perils of Pauline.

1921

Launch of the Pathé-Baby, "home cinema", which makes film projection accessible for amateurs.

1927

Creation of Kodak-Pathé, which takes over the film manufacturing business.

1929-1936

Under the direction of Bernard Natan, Pathé produces more than 60 feature films and has 9 film sets.

1940-1945

An important period for film production.

1946-1962

Pathé co-produces 85% of its films with foreign companies, mainly Italian.

1953

Adrien Remaugé, director of Pathé, introduces the Aid Act, the precursor of the film industry's advance on receipts system.

1960-1970

GIE Pathé-Gaumont distributes to more than 700 screens in France. Pathé also invests in the production of films for television.

1963

The Marignan-Concorde on the Champs-Elysées is the first cinema complex, the jewel of Pathé's cinema network.

1990

The Chargeurs group, led by Jérôme Seydoux, acquires Pathé. It also creates the first European BSkyB satellite bouquet along with Rupert Murdoch.

1993

Opening of Toulon Grand-Ciel, the first cinema multiplex in France.

1994-1995

Centenary exhibition "Pathé, First Empire of Cinema" at the George Pompidou Centre.

1998

Pathé asked Margaret Youngblood (Landor Associates) to propose a new visual identity for the company. Based on the values of independence, innovation and integrity, Pathé's new identity is composed of the cock Charlie and a graphic charter that gives it a dynamic and modern brand image in line with the company's new growth.

2001

Creation of Europalaces.

2017

Pathé acquires Gaumont's 34% stake in Les Cinémas Gaumont Pathé

2018

Opening of the first multiplex in Africa, in Tunis.