This theatre opened in the early 70’s as the Trackside Twin Cinema and was built and operated by Gulf States Theatres. They also operated The Ritz and The State theatres in downtown Bogalusa. Both of these theatres closed in late 70’s. Gulf States added three auditoriums to the Trackside in 1984 and sold the theatre in November of 1986 along with the entire Gulf States circuit to United Artists Theatres. UA operated the theatre until 1998 and closed it. It remained vacant for about six months until new operators were found and changed the name to Magic Cinema.
During the Gulf States operation, there were two prominent managers, Sis Natasha and Violet Davis. Not many kids were able to get anything over on these two.
The Movies 8 started life as a twin theatre in the early 1970’s. Over the next decade, the operator would acquire adjacent space and add a screen or two until the theatre became an eight-plex. This led to a long horizontal lobby.
The theatre operated successfully until Gulf States Theatres built a new stadium theatre in Hammond, LA, 20 miles to the west in 2000. Hurricane Katrina hit the area in August of2004 and the theatre sustained substantial damage. It was able to open three of the auditoriums and operate until the opening of the Grand 16 theatre in December of 2006 at which time it closed.
This theatre was originally constructed in 1984 and operated by General Cinema. It was acquired by Carmike Cinemas in the early 90’s along with GCC theatres in Lake Charles, and Alexandria and three other theatres out of the state of LA. It sustained substantial damage from Hurricane Katrina in Aug of 2005 and never reopened. With the opening of the Grand 19 in December of 2006, the likely hood of this theatre ever reopening is remote.
The Joy Theatre closed in the spring of 2003. Declining attendance over the many years and the operator not able to obtain a long term lease to ensure return for badly needed renovations was the reason. This was the last of the major theatres in downtown New Orleans. It was to be transformed into a live blues hall however, that has been dropped so it sits boarded up decaying as the new Canal Street streetcar rides past.
This theatre opened in the early 70’s as the Trackside Twin Cinema and was built and operated by Gulf States Theatres. They also operated The Ritz and The State theatres in downtown Bogalusa. Both of these theatres closed in late 70’s. Gulf States added three auditoriums to the Trackside in 1984 and sold the theatre in November of 1986 along with the entire Gulf States circuit to United Artists Theatres. UA operated the theatre until 1998 and closed it. It remained vacant for about six months until new operators were found and changed the name to Magic Cinema.
During the Gulf States operation, there were two prominent managers, Sis Natasha and Violet Davis. Not many kids were able to get anything over on these two.
Interesting fact is that this theatre is built on the site of the old Gulf States Theatres Tiger Drive-In.
The Movies 8 started life as a twin theatre in the early 1970’s. Over the next decade, the operator would acquire adjacent space and add a screen or two until the theatre became an eight-plex. This led to a long horizontal lobby.
The theatre operated successfully until Gulf States Theatres built a new stadium theatre in Hammond, LA, 20 miles to the west in 2000. Hurricane Katrina hit the area in August of2004 and the theatre sustained substantial damage. It was able to open three of the auditoriums and operate until the opening of the Grand 16 theatre in December of 2006 at which time it closed.
This theatre was originally constructed in 1984 and operated by General Cinema. It was acquired by Carmike Cinemas in the early 90’s along with GCC theatres in Lake Charles, and Alexandria and three other theatres out of the state of LA. It sustained substantial damage from Hurricane Katrina in Aug of 2005 and never reopened. With the opening of the Grand 19 in December of 2006, the likely hood of this theatre ever reopening is remote.
I must assume that the ghost of the Westwood is its builder and operator, Matt Guidry. He was certainly Mr. Movie in Lafayette.
The Joy Theatre closed in the spring of 2003. Declining attendance over the many years and the operator not able to obtain a long term lease to ensure return for badly needed renovations was the reason. This was the last of the major theatres in downtown New Orleans. It was to be transformed into a live blues hall however, that has been dropped so it sits boarded up decaying as the new Canal Street streetcar rides past.