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.
Share your favorite posters on Twitter or FaceBook. Find links by clicking Info.
Louisiana Territory
In 1953, RKO-Pathe, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, released their first 3D full length documentary titled Louisiana Territory.
The film opens with a short narrative scene showing Robert Livingston, U.S. Ambassador to France, negotiating with Napoleon Bonaparte and Charles Tallyrand for the purchase of the Louisiana territory in 1803. Livingston soon learns Bonaparte is insisting that the United States purchase all of the Louisiana Territory, not just New Orleans and west Florida, as originally requested. When Talleyrand declares that Napoleon, who needs money to finance his war against England, is demanding an immediate answer, Livingston protests that he does not have the authority to make such a decision. Talleyrand continues to press Livingston, who finally agrees to buy the entire Louisiana Territory for fifteen million dollars, on behalf of his country and President Thomas Jefferson. What follows is Livingston, portrayed by Val Winter, revisiting the territory in 1953. He comments on the growth and vitality of such cities as Minneapolis, DesMoines, Kansas City, St. Louis, Little Rock and New Orleans. Although most of the sequences were shot without sound, a few scenes include dialogue.
The greater portion of the film is spent exploring and filming New Orleans, its huge port, its picturesque night life, the French Quarter, and finally the Mardi Gras. Interwoven in the New Orleans story is a light-weight modern-day romance. The highlight of the film is Mardi Gras, the behind-the-scenes preparation and the climax on the day of celebration.
Others in the cast include Leo Zinser, Julian Meister, Phyllis Massicot and Marlene Behrens. Jay Bonafield and Douglas Travers produced, and Harry W. Smith directed from a screenplay by Jerome Brondfield. John A. Norling was technical director.
The following written statement is included in the credits: "All museum scenes in this film were made at the Cabildo of the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans."
Poster: U. S. Half Sheet