Louisiana Movie Poster Museum
Welcome to the the Louisiana Movie Poster Virtual Museum. Since 1895 more than 3,000 movies have been made in or about Louisiana. These posters advertised a few of them. We have hundreds to add, so check back with us as we grow.
Ed and Susan Poole, renowned movie poster experts and authorities on Louisiana film history, curated this initial exhibit. It is based on the Backdrop Louisiana! exhibit that premiered in Slidell, Louisiana in January, 2020 and we’re looking forward to a post-pandemic tour. A smidgen of their knowledge can be found at Learn About Movie Posters, known worldwide as LAMP. Visit Hollywood on the Bayou for a deeper dive into Louisiana film history.
This museum is funded in part by grants from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and the New Orleans Entertainment Coalition.
Take a Tour – We love your stories!
Click on a poster to view larger image. Then click “i”. Post your story in Comments. We love to hear about films you remember and your experiences. It’s a highlight of our live exhibits that we hope to recreate in the virtual museum.
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The Eagle of the Sea
Over 100 silent movies were filmed and/or set in Louisiana during the early years of the cinema. Some of these included scenes filmed on location in New Orleans. The Golden Legend (1919), John Petticoats (1919), The Sporting Duchess (1920), An Unwilling Hero (1921), Cameo Kirby (1923) and Love Mart (1927) are just a few. One of the most popular films produced during the time period was The Eagle of the Sea, the first screen appearance of the legendary buccaneer Jean Lafitte.
The Eagle of the Sea was based on Charles Tenney Jackson's novel Captain Sazarac. It begins with General Andrew Jackson being welcomed back to New Orleans. Infamous pirate Jean Lafitte, a fugitive from justice and with a price on his head, comes to the city in disguise as Captain Sazarac.
As Sazarac, Lafitte saves southern belle Louise Lestron from harm while attending a masked ball in New Orleans that was being given in honor of General Jackson. The hall is invaded by John Jarvis and a band of mock pirates, among them the real Sazarac. Jarvis unmasks the buccaneer and General Jackson gives him until dawn to leave town. Colonel Lestron, a French patriot, wishes to send the Seraphine to rescue Napoleon from St. Helena and invites Lafitte to lead the ship, but he declines and exposes her uncle's plans to Louise. When she is sent away on another ship, Lafitte abducts her, but in New Orleans, a group of insurgents imprisons Lafitte and his followers. The Seraphine is captured by a Spanish man-o'-war on which the colonel has followed, and with the aid of Louise, Lafitte and his men are freed.
The Eagle of the Sea starred American actor/director Ricardo Cortez as Lafitte/Sazarac, Florence Vidor, justly called "the orchid lady of the screen,” as Louise Lestron, Sam De Grasse as Colonel Lestron, and George Irving as General Jackson. It was directed by Frank Lloyd.
According to early print reports, filming locations include “the streets and levees” of New Orleans and Santa Catalina Island.
Poster: U.S. Lobby Card