Robert E. Lee Theatre

Here is a 2006 photo of what remains of the theatre.

The Robert E. Lee was built by Joy N. Houck, owner of Joy's Theatres Inc., who operated many theatres throughout Louisiana and surrounding states.
I remember seeing Funny Girl at Joy's Robert E. Lee. Mr. Houck once told me that he showed Dr. Zhivago for over a year at the 'Lee'.
It was sold to National General Theatres, then became a Mann Theatre.
An identical theatre, with the same name, was built by Joy's Theatres in Baton Rouge, La at 5800 Plank Road. The Baton Rouge Robert E. Lee closed in 1987.

This is another recent photo.

The Robert E. Lee hosted some great movies in its day. I saw the Poseidon Adventure, the Towering Inferno, Star Trek the Motion Picture, and many others at this great theater. If you lived on the Lakefront and wanted to see a top line movie on the big screen....the Robert E. Lee was it. Unfortunately, as with all single screen theaters, it couldn't keep up with the multiplex's. But I still think of it as one of the best movie theaters I ever experienced.

ATP

The Robert E. Lee was demolished last week. According to an article in the Times Picyune, it opened in 1965. I saw The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno, The Excorcist, For Pete's Sake, Harold and Maude and many other great films at this theater.

Louis Malle's "PRETTY BABY" set in New Orleans opened at the Robert E.Lee Theatre. $1.50 before 1:45pm. Last show was at 9:30pm. Wonder what kind of business it did.

Another single screen gone.

Announcing a book about New Orleans Movie Theaters

THERE’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 city’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 mardihardy@aol.com or call 504-913-1563 if you can help.