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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Number One
Acting legend Charlton Heston came to New Orleans in 1969 to shoot the football themed movie Number One. Directed by Tom Gries, the film also starred Bruce Dern, Diana Muldaur and Jessica Walter. Local stars included the New Orleans Saints, Danny Abramowitz, Joe Wendryhoski, Mike Tilleman, Dave Rowe, Fred Whittingham, Jake Kupp and Del Williams as well as then Saints owner John Mecom. Local celebrities Al Hirt and Wayne Mack also appeared in the film.
The story revolved around Heston who played an aging quarterback of the New Orleans Saints who cannot accept the fact that his career is over. He wore the black and gold No. 17, the jersey of Saints current quarterback Billy Kilmer.
Location shooting in New Orleans took place October, November and December of 1968. The long-distance field and full stadium crowd scenes were real and were filmed during actual Saints games at Tulane Stadium, including the New Orleans vs. Dallas game that was played on November 3, 1968. A crowd of over 84,000, which was a record at that time, became a part of the film. While all of the distant quarterbacking scenes were of Saints quarterback Billy Kilmer in real action, the close-up scenes featuring Heston as quarterback were shot at Tulane Stadium before a crowd of “extras.”
A crew of over 75 also filmed movie sequences at St. Paul’s School in Covington. The school had served as a week-long practice camp for the 1967 New Orleans Saints. Other shooting locales included the private home of New Orleans artist George Dunbar in Slidell; 629 Royal Street as the fictional Julie Millard jewelry shop; and Al Hirt's night club so that Al Hirt could play himself - a trumpet-player who is part owner of the team.
According to reports, Heston fractured a rib while rehearsing with his own crew. He had to be taped for scenes shot the following day.
The world premiere of the film was held on August 21, 1969 at the Loew's State Theater to much fanfare.
Poster: U.S. Lobby Card Set of 8 lobby cards