I remember that the Bon Marche Theatre had an unusual sign out on the curb, much like some Walgreens signs today, where the sign could be lowered in order to change the movie titles, then raised back into place, up high on the pole. Seems that a poor kid who worked there was told to go out and change the sign, and when he attempted to lower it, the enormous, heavy sign slipped off its track, and fell, killing the young man below. Does anyone remember or know any more details of this tragedy?
I was just reading about the restoration of the Lakefront Airport in New Orleans, and about some of the Xavier Gonzales murals inside. I was suddenly reminded of a beautiful mural depicting the city of Baton Rouge, that was inside the lobby of the Hart Theatre. It showed the Baton Rouge skyline, including the old and new state capitol buildings, as well as enormous round tanks over at the Standard Oil refinery. I am not sure who painted the mural – it may have been by Gonzales, or by his friend and colleague Conrad Albrizio. Albrizio is remembered today for his murals inside the lobby of the new state capitol building in Baton Rouge. Albrizio and Gonzales both painted murals inside Louisiana post office lobbies during the 1930s.
The mid-century modern Broadmoor Theatre is slated for demolition in the next few weeks (July-August 2015).
The Dukes of Hazzard TV series star John Schneider, who now lives near Baton Rouge, is rescuing parts of the theatre, including its iconic sign.
http://www.wafb.com/story/29591059/dukes-of-hazzard-star-salvages-remnants-of-old-broadmoor-theatre
I remember that the Bon Marche Theatre had an unusual sign out on the curb, much like some Walgreens signs today, where the sign could be lowered in order to change the movie titles, then raised back into place, up high on the pole. Seems that a poor kid who worked there was told to go out and change the sign, and when he attempted to lower it, the enormous, heavy sign slipped off its track, and fell, killing the young man below. Does anyone remember or know any more details of this tragedy?
I was just reading about the restoration of the Lakefront Airport in New Orleans, and about some of the Xavier Gonzales murals inside. I was suddenly reminded of a beautiful mural depicting the city of Baton Rouge, that was inside the lobby of the Hart Theatre. It showed the Baton Rouge skyline, including the old and new state capitol buildings, as well as enormous round tanks over at the Standard Oil refinery. I am not sure who painted the mural – it may have been by Gonzales, or by his friend and colleague Conrad Albrizio. Albrizio is remembered today for his murals inside the lobby of the new state capitol building in Baton Rouge. Albrizio and Gonzales both painted murals inside Louisiana post office lobbies during the 1930s.