Pathé-Natan (France)

[In February 1929, Bernard Natan acquired the production and exhibition businesses of Pathé; between 1930 and 1935, despite the world economic crisis, Pathé-Natan made 100 million francs in profits and produced and released more than 60 feature films. However, in 1935, one of Pathé's investor banks collapsed due to financial difficulties unrelated to Pathé's problems. In addition, Pathé was forced to follow through with the purchase of several movie theater chains it no longer could afford to buy and the company went bankrupt. Although the company continued to make a profit, it lost more money than it earned. The collapse of Pathé led French authorities to indict Natan on charges of fraud. He was imprisoned in 1939. When France fell to the Nazis he was unable flee and his French citizenship was revoked. He was transferred from prison and later deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp where he died.]

found: Rossel, André. Pathé-Natan, la véritable histoire, 2004:t.p. (Pathé-Natan) p. 21 (in 1920 Charles Pathé sold his studios et production equipment to a new company called "Pathé consortium cinéma"; many people at the time and current historian considered this to be an affiliate of Pathé cinéma, but it was not) p. 23 (Pathé consortium was never part of Pathé cinéma) p. 25 (in 1927 Pathé consortium gave up the name "Pathé" and became Paris consortium cinéma; it was bought by Bernard Natan in 1929) p. 67-109 (controlling interest in various Pathé enterprises and theaters were acquired by Bernard Natan in 1929 to create Pathé-Natan) p. 236 (remaining interest in Pathé-Natan was bought by the Société nouvelle Pathé cinéma in 1951)

found: Pathé WWW site, viewed September 15, 2023History (1929-1936; under the management of Bernard Natan, Pathé produces more than 60 feature films and has nine film sets)

[In February 1929, Bernard Natan acquired the production and exhibition businesses of Pathé; between 1930 and 1935, despite the world economic crisis, Pathé-Natan made 100 million francs in profits and produced and released more than 60 feature films. However, in 1935, one of Pathé's investor banks collapsed due to financial difficulties unrelated to Pathé's problems. In addition, Pathé was forced to follow through with the purchase of several movie theater chains it no longer could afford to buy and the company went bankrupt. Although the company continued to make a profit, it lost more money than it earned. The collapse of Pathé led French authorities to indict Natan on charges of fraud. He was imprisoned in 1939. When France fell to the Nazis he was unable flee and his French citizenship was revoked. He was transferred from prison and later deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp where he died.]

[The history of the Pathé film production and distribution companies is complicated. Years of activity appear to overlap, and relationships between companies cannot be conclusively determined.]