Coliseum Theatre

“fire destroys coliseum theatre” on YouTube

by Peter Petitfils

https://youtu.be/woFceQlM3Zk

A picture of the Coliseum taken in what looks like light snow (rare for the Big Easy); it was also obviously taken much later than 1915: View link

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.

Here’s an ad for a movie playing at the Coliseum and other theatres in 1963:
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Here is a photo of Al Viola in front of the Coliseum box-office in the 70’s pointing to his low admission prices.
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As a child in the late 60’s, I was a regular patron of the Coliseum. This theatre had an atmosphere like no other I’ve ever been to. The inside of the theatre had the most beautiful neon fixtures on the celling that were deep blue & green, and remained lit while the movie was on. There was also cove neon lighting along the side walls, that could be turned on as blue, or red. This theatre was quite fancy in it’s day, and had probably the largest screen of any indoor theatre, except for the Cinerama.
There was also a blue neon clock that read HARTFORD INSURANCE, 800 HOWARD AVE. which remained on during the film.
Above, it states that seating was 600 in 1945, but in 1949, a balcony was added, making a total of 1100 seats.
The theatre was operated by the Lazarus family from 1919 until the early 60’s when it was operated by United Theatres for a short time.
At the time I attended, the business was owned and operated by Alfred J. Viola, a veteran theatre manager, and this theatre was truly one of a dying breed. Mr. Viola told me that United was going to close the Coliseum, and he announced that he was going to lease it. The GM of United told him that he wouldn’t last for a year. He remained open until 1976, when the theatre was sold.
This theatre was Al Viola’s baby. It was a true mom & pop neighborhood theatre, featuring double features, 3 program changes each week, cartoons, and occasionally old tyme serials!
Mr. Viola was the type of guy that would allow a kid short of money to have a piece of candy. As a regular customer, I got to know him & Mrs Sophie Morales, who worked the concession 7 nights a week for as long as I can remember.
I became a projectionist, and in October of 1975, I was hired at the Coliseum, and remained there until it closed on April 20, 1976.
Til the day it closed in 1976, Al Viola was proud that he was able to keep the admission prices the lowest in the city. Adults 75c, Children 35c. This was when first run theatres were charging $3.25.
Concessions were also the lowest prices in town…featuring 10c popcorn til the day it closed.
About 6 months after the Coliseum closed, Mr. Viola had a stroke, and then in 1980, he died of another stroke. We remained close friends until he passed.
Sadly, on Christmas day 2007, Joe Grillot, Al Viola’s nephew, who had the same love for theatre & movies as his uncle, passed away at age 62.
The Coliseum was one of my all time favorite theatres, and I am so sad that it is gone now.

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…

Coliseum pics post Katrina found on the net:
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