Isidore Ostrer (1889–1975) was a banker, financier, poet, newspaper owner, and film studio owner in England. His father, Nathan Ostrer, was a jewellery salesman who immigrated from the Russian Empire. In addition to assembling a media empire he wrote poetry and authored an economics text.[1]

Ostrer was born in London's East End.[2] He began his career in the textile industry before establishing two banks with his brothers. They financed film industry businesses and Ostrer acquired control of Gaumont-British Film Company from its French parent Gaumont Film Company in 1922. He sold it to J. Arthur Rank in 1941. Ostrer also owned a newspaper (Sunday Referee) and textile business (Amalgamated Textiles).[3]

He moved to the U.S. during World War II.[4] His daughter became actress Pamela Mason.[5] Morgan Mason is his grandson.

A painting of Isidore Ostrer by Howard Coster is in the National Portrait Gallery.[6]

Nigel Ostrer wrote The Ostrers and Gaumont British, a book about the family and their involvement in the film studios.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Isidore Ostrer". The Studio Tour.
  2. ↑ Murphy, Robert. "Ostrer, Isidore (1889–1975), financier and film producer". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/48090. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  3. ↑ "isidore ostrer". www.jewishlivesproject.com.
  4. 1 2 "A welcome change from the usual run of film histories". www.bairdtelevision.com.
  5. ↑ "Pamela (Kellino) Mason". www.rusc.com.
  6. ↑ "Isidore Ostrer - National Portrait Gallery". www.npg.org.uk.
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