Prytania Theater
5339 Prytania Street,
New Orleans,
LA
70115
5339 Prytania Street,
New Orleans,
LA
70115
8 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
The Prytania Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Saenger Theatres
Functions: Movies (Classic), Movies (First Run)
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
504.891.2787
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Oct 14, 2014 — New Orleans' only single-screen theatre turns 100
- Jul 14, 2014 — Prytania celebrates Billy Wilder
- Dec 21, 2012 — New Book About New Orleans' Lost Movie Theaters Now On Sale
- Nov 5, 2012 — New book chronicles New Orleans theaters
- Sep 7, 2011 — Prytania announces Midnite Movies series
- Aug 24, 2010 — Classic film series at the Prytania Theatre
- Jan 27, 2009 — Prytania Theatre operators honor past, look toward future of industry
The first Prytania Theater was constructed in 1914. It was destroyed by fire on November 27, 1926. It was replaced at a different location by this Prytania Theater which opened on April 17, 1927. It is the last remaining single-screen suburban theatre in the state.
Contributed by
Blake Thompson
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Recent comments (view all 24 comments)
This is a city archive photo from April 11, 1968 of firefightere fighting a fire at the theatre.
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Just got back from a trip to NOLA and made a point of stopping by the Prytania Theater to see it. What a wonderful place! Had to see it as it plays a big role in one of my fav novels: “A Confederacy of Dunces.” A lovely small, charming neighbourhood theater and a wonderful place to see a film. Attended the 2:30 pm matinee of “Alice in Wonderland” in 3D. This theater runs digital now and what a presenation! Sound is clear and loud and the projection is first rate. Truly a great theater to watch a film. Matinee was about 1/3 full for a weekday. Sadly, this is the only theater left open in New Orleans and the last single screen theater in the whole state of Louisiana. No open theaters remain on Canal Street and the devastaion that was caused by Katrina is very evident when you see the condition these theaters are in. The Prytania Theater is truly a gem in a great city.
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.
I have been comming here since I was a child…the first movie I remeber being there for was Pochantis. I was born in 1992. I believe it was the reshowing. then I remember seeing the Xfiles movie. I saw one of the Harry Potters there. Rocky Horror Picture Show 3 or 4 times. The Artist and The Dark Knight Rises Twice. Those are all the films I remember but anyway This is the best most authentic still running open movie theater from the past. that was long in new orleans. i love this place it will be in my heart forever.
the only real old-school movie theater in new orleans. obviously run by people who care about movies. they even run midnight showings of cult films on weekends. i love this place dearly. if given the choice, i wouldn’t see movies anywhere else. alas, with the single-screen, you only get a single choice of movie to see, and it’s been quite a while since they showed anything i was particularly interested in seeing.
In response to tinydr’s comment on Mr Brunet’s age, I wouldn’t worry to much about the Prytania’s future. He has his son in the business with him, and I think as long as they can make a profit there, the show will go on.
By the way, The Prytania was the first theater to open after Katrina hit. And the only show in town for some time afterward.
The Prytania has 272 fixed seats, not 750.
This is one of my favorite theatres in the world! An ideal venue for art, foreign and classic film.
The original Prytania Theatre was destroyed by a fire in late 1926. Here is a January 1, 1927 Moving Picture World item about Saenger Theatres' intention to replace the house: “NEW ORLEANS, LA.—M. H. Jacobs, of Saenger Theatres, Inc., 1401 Tulane street, plans to rebuild Prytania Theatre at Prytania and Lecontine streets, destroyed by fire.” The Billboard of December 4, 1926 said the fire had taken place on November 27.