Gaumont Pictures were founded in 1895 by the engineer-turned-inventor, Léon Gaumont (1864-1946). They are the oldest movie studio in the world. From 1905 to 1914 its studios "Cité Elgé" (from the normal French pronounciation of founder's initials) at La Villette, France, were the largest in the world. The company manufactured its own equipment and mass-produced films until 1907 under Alice Guy Blaché, the motion picture industry’s first woman director, and then under Louis Feuillade.
Among some of the most notable films produced were the serials "Judex", "Fantomas"; the comedies of "Onesime", "Bebe"; and the newsreels of the "Gaumont Actualities". Directors such as Abel Gance, Alfred Hitchcock, and the early animator Emile Cohl worked for this studio at one time or another.
Gaumont opened foreign offices and acquired theatre chains (British Gaumont, which notably later produced The Lady Vanishes) and along with its giant competitor, Pathé Frères, dominated the motion-picture industry in Europe until the outbreak of World War I in 1914.
After significant post-war losses in market-share/competition to American productions, Gaumont experienced the subsequent business reversals of technological change (the advent of sound) and financial depression, and was eventually merged with Franco-Film Aubert in the early 1930s.
Today, Gaumont is independent and is still recognized as one of the largest producers (Léon, The Fifth Element) and distributors of films in France.
French rider Philippe Gaumont, sacked by his team Cofidis after being involved in a doping scandal, said he still hopes cycling can clean up its act.
Gaumont and team-mate Cedric Vasseur were held for questioning last month in another doping case involving Cofidis, suggesting that the problem still plagues the sport.
Gaumont, who had earlier suggested that up to 90 percent of riders could be using drugs, added he had "tears in his eyes" when he heard of the death of 1998 Tour de France winner Marco Pantani, aged 34, earlier this month.
After significant post-war losses in market-share/competition to American productions, Gaumont experienced the subsequent business reversals of technological change (the advent of sound) and financial depression, and was eventually merged with Franco-Film Aubert in the early 1930s.
Feeds |
Contact