St. Bernard Drive-In
St. Bernard Highway,
Arabi,
LA
70032
St. Bernard Highway,
Arabi,
LA
70032
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St. Bernard Drive-In Theatre was located in Arabi, LA on St. Bernard Hwy, in St. Bernard Parish, LA. 5 miles from downtown New Orleans.
It was opened on July 1, 1949 with Van Johnson in “The Bride Goes Wild”. It was closed in 1983 and was demolished in 1990.
Contributed by
craig trent
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
This is from Boxoffice magazine in July 1949:
George Wiltse’s 500-car drive-in opened approximately five miles from the center of New Orleans, in the parish of St. Bernard. Equipped with in-car speakers, the theater has a 55x40 foot screen against a 42x60 foot tower. Simplex sound heads and super Simplex projectors are in use. Wiltse’s is the second drive-in for New Orleans.
I remember this well as a kid. I was only 8 years old in 1978 but I do remember my mother taking me to see Grease. I can remember we had M&M’s, Shasta drinks, and of course an Off mosquito incense ring we purchased at Schwegmann’s Supermarket before the show. My mom fell asleep and I watched Grease twice that night. I also remember seeing some swamp monster movie here though I can’t recall the name of that feature. I so miss the old way of life people had and truly despise the new ways people live. Nothing could ever be nice as things were back then.
NOW SHOWING at the ST. BERNARD Drive -in.
“SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER” at 8:00 and 10:00 pm. plus a color cartoon. same movie was playing right up the road at the SKYVUE DRIVE-in Minus the color cartoon.
I am amazed how many New Orleans movie theatres seem not to be listed on CT. At least I can’t find many.
Mike check out the Palace/State A.K.A. LOEWS STATE in New Orleans on my homepage lots of photos and info on this theatre,I went there many times as a kid we would got to New Orleans every summer to vist relatives there.It on my favorites list.
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.
Thanks tisloews i will check it out.Sorry it took so long to see your post.
This opened on July 1st, 1949. The grand opening ad is in the photo section
Approx. address for this drive-in was 8001 W St Bernard Hwy, Chalmette, LA 70043. Now Palms Casino!
Opened on 1/7/1949 witn “The bride goes wild”.
Boxoffice, July 25, 1960: “A lightning rod now graces the screen tower at the St. Bernard Drive-In, Arabi, installed after the tower was struck by lightning while a picture was in progress. The lightning burned a spot in the screen and stained a portion of it with smudge. Joe Williams, who was working at the concessions stand at the time, said that the show was halted to permit viewers to recover from the shock, then was continued. The screen was repaired the following day.”