Unfortunately, The Star Theater was demolished 25 July 2023. Nothing left and little salvaged from the vintage venue. Another piece of our past gone forever.
The “Loews State” or State Palace Theater was just shut down by the New Orleans Fire Dept. for fire code violations. Since Hurricane Katrina, it has been used very little. Last time I was in the theater it was in need of complete renovation. It was “a ghost of its elegant past” and I hope someone saves this classic treasure.
I spent a great deal of time at this theater in the 1960s. I caught “How The West Was Won” “Mad Mad Mad World” “Battle of The Bulge” “Custer of The West” and “2001” there.
I honestly never cared for this large expensive theater. Even as a kid, I prefered Art Deco or movie palace theaters. The modern 1960s exterior and interior left me more than cold. I did not like walls hung with drapes and the cold futuristic lobby.
It was completely torn down, and a Social Security office now sits on the site.
The last feature I caught at The Napoleon, I noticed rather large rats running up and down the isles in the flicker of the carbon arc projector light. This was at one time a wonderful 1930s style neighborhood theater that was first class in every way. I regret that I did not get to experience it in its prime.
In the late 1960s, my best friend was the projectionist at The Coliseum. Much to the manager’s shagrin, he would get me in free and I would sit in the balcony next to the projection booth door and watch him do change overs and curse the vintage carbon arc projectors.
This was the theater that turned off the water fountain in the lobby, and put extra salt in the popcorn. (Thirsty patrons buy more Coke.)
I loved this creepy theater. It was the quintessential neighborhood theater, and a wonderful step back in time.
The post Katrina fire shook the entire city up. Almost every media outlet covered the story, and mourned the passing of another historic theater.
The burned theater was eventually knocked down except for the steep front steps that went up to the old lobby. For some strange reason, there is a type of odd “shrine” on these steps. Stuffed animals now cover the entrance, and I have no idea why. Only in New Orleans…
I spent most of my youth in the old Poplar in New Orleans. I believe the manager was Rose Kern, and she was a character. Before each kiddie feature, she would come outside with a large box and “disarm” all the kids. (Squirt guns, sling shots, cap pistols etc.)
The Poplar was a local chain theater that was abandoned completely intact. The Jensen sound system, the carbon arc projectors, seats, candy counter were all there until it was torn down. James A. Noe purchased the property and sold it to Whitney Bank in the late 1960s. During demo. I explored the old theater for the last time. I was sad to see a great “nabe” go.
Unfortunately, The Star Theater was demolished 25 July 2023. Nothing left and little salvaged from the vintage venue. Another piece of our past gone forever.
The Star was unfortunately “twinned” and is now out of business. They started construction in 1941, and opened in 1942.
The “Loews State” or State Palace Theater was just shut down by the New Orleans Fire Dept. for fire code violations. Since Hurricane Katrina, it has been used very little. Last time I was in the theater it was in need of complete renovation. It was “a ghost of its elegant past” and I hope someone saves this classic treasure.
I spent a great deal of time at this theater in the 1960s. I caught “How The West Was Won” “Mad Mad Mad World” “Battle of The Bulge” “Custer of The West” and “2001” there.
I honestly never cared for this large expensive theater. Even as a kid, I prefered Art Deco or movie palace theaters. The modern 1960s exterior and interior left me more than cold. I did not like walls hung with drapes and the cold futuristic lobby.
It was completely torn down, and a Social Security office now sits on the site.
The last feature I caught at The Napoleon, I noticed rather large rats running up and down the isles in the flicker of the carbon arc projector light. This was at one time a wonderful 1930s style neighborhood theater that was first class in every way. I regret that I did not get to experience it in its prime.
In the late 1960s, my best friend was the projectionist at The Coliseum. Much to the manager’s shagrin, he would get me in free and I would sit in the balcony next to the projection booth door and watch him do change overs and curse the vintage carbon arc projectors.
This was the theater that turned off the water fountain in the lobby, and put extra salt in the popcorn. (Thirsty patrons buy more Coke.)
I loved this creepy theater. It was the quintessential neighborhood theater, and a wonderful step back in time.
The post Katrina fire shook the entire city up. Almost every media outlet covered the story, and mourned the passing of another historic theater.
The burned theater was eventually knocked down except for the steep front steps that went up to the old lobby. For some strange reason, there is a type of odd “shrine” on these steps. Stuffed animals now cover the entrance, and I have no idea why. Only in New Orleans…
I spent most of my youth in the old Poplar in New Orleans. I believe the manager was Rose Kern, and she was a character. Before each kiddie feature, she would come outside with a large box and “disarm” all the kids. (Squirt guns, sling shots, cap pistols etc.)
The Poplar was a local chain theater that was abandoned completely intact. The Jensen sound system, the carbon arc projectors, seats, candy counter were all there until it was torn down. James A. Noe purchased the property and sold it to Whitney Bank in the late 1960s. During demo. I explored the old theater for the last time. I was sad to see a great “nabe” go.