Joy Theater
1200 Canal Street,
New Orleans,
LA
70112
1200 Canal Street,
New Orleans,
LA
70112
11 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 104 comments found
I had two close friends that grew up in New Orleans and all they talked about when we went to the movies in Downtown Augusta,how great the JOY was.I knew this theatre back in the early 70’s! But can it can it be that great.
Interesting History.
The post by Cheryl and Randy Houck brought back memories of my childhood. Uncle Joy vistited my grandfather, Enouck Newton Houck, often. I’ve never know for sure how they were related. Were they brothers or cousins? Their physical appearance was stricking. They appeared to be twins. I only saw Uncle Joy once during my adult life and when he entered the room I thought it was my grandfather. I’m trying to find more about my family history and would like to hear from family who would know their relationship and most important to me, what was my grandfathers fathers name?
Announcing a book about New Orleans Movie Theaters
THEREâ€\S ONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
The History of the Neighborhood Theaters in New Orleans
is being written by 89-year-old Rene Brunet, the dean of the motion picture industry in Louisiana, and New Orleans historian and preservationist Jack Stewart. The 160-page,coffee table book will be released in November and is being published by Arthur Hardy Enterprises, Inc. Attention will be focused on 50 major neighborhood and downtown theaters, culled from a list of nearly 250 that have dotted the cityâ€\s landscape since the first “nickelodeon†opened in 1896 at 626 Canal Street. The book will be divided by neighborhoods and will open with a map and a narrative about each area. Each major theater will feature “then and now†photographs, historic information, and a short series of quotes from famous New Orleanians and from regular citizens who will share their recollections.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
We are trying to acquire memorabilia and additional photos of this theater for this publication. (deadline July 1.) You will be credited in the book and receive a free autographed copy if we publish the picture that you supply. Please contact Arthur Hardy at or call 504-913-1563 if you can help.
From April 2010:
http://www.agilitynut.com/10/4/joyt.jpg
2010 photo of the Joy Theatre. (Very Sad Shape)
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Thanks! Now that is how I remember the Joy the first time I saw it. Wow, what a difference only about 15 years make, as look at my photo I posted last week! Such a shame.
Here is a photo circa 1994:
http://tinyurl.com/ye6gxww
Thanks Michael.
I believe the Panorama for part of its life was known as the Strand.
Did the Panorama close under another name? Otherwise there is no listing for it here at Cinema Treasures and you would think if it had Roadshow engagements, it would be in here.
<<< The longest running pictures I recall (though I don’t have the actual records) at the Joy were “South Pacific” … “Around the World in 80 Days” … and “Oklahoma!” >>>
None of those films played their lengthy first-run New Orleans “roadshow” engagements at the Joy; they all opened at the Panorama.
The place is deteriorating more and more as we speak. I thought it looked bad a few years ago when I past it, but now, it’s in complete shambles. Here’s a photo I took of it last week when I was in New Orleans:
Click here for photo
Correction- Oklahoma played initially at the Panorama Theater in New Orleans and not the Joy. I worked as an usher at the Panorama.
There’s an April 23, 1949, Boxoffice article about the Joy Circuit which mentions an official of the company named B.W. Stevens who was in charged of exploitation (which I believe was Boxoffice’s term for advertising and publicity.) I wonder if this B.W. Stevens was somehow conflated by the authors of No More Joy with the New Orleans architect B.W. Stevens who designed Fiske Theatre in Oak Grove? As Francine Stock noted in a comment of Jan. 14, 2009, above, the architects of record for the Joy Theatre were Favrot & Reed.
Incidentally, Cinema Treasures has mistakenly called the firm Favrot, Reed & Fred. If you check the Teche Theatre web site, you’ll see that it says that the Teche was designed by Favrot & Reed, with architect Fred Nehrbass associated.
The Sting did play at the Joy. I saw it there,
Oh wow, it’s so nice to see the Joy’s marquee all lit up in happier days.
1980 photo of the Joy Theatre.
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1982 night photo of the Joy Theatre.
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I don’t know. Should we care? I think this place was in bad shape before Katrina hit.
If they can get the State, Orpheum and Saenger running again it wouldn’t bother me to see this theatre redeveloped, maybe while retaining the Joy sign on the outside of the building.
Threatened. City is considering demolition.
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Also: please note that the architects of record were Favrot and Reed. Plans are at City Archives, New Orleans Public Library.
Here are some pictures from 2/4/2008 which I had forgotten to post.
Very interesting webpage Lost. Thanks.
I don’t know if the Joy is still available, but here is the real estate that is/was handling the sale for $2.1 million.
any interior photos of the Joy. Would be interested in seeing some
Any one know if its for sale, whom to contact, have a few bucks that am willing ti invest on a great old theater