Famous Theatre

1538 Marigny Street,
New Orleans, LA 70117

Unfavorite 1 person favorited this theater

Additional Info

Nearby Theaters

Famous Theatre in Background towering

The Famous Theater originally was built in 1913 and stood on Marigny Street near Claiborne Avenue. The theater was later demolished and rebuilt in 1926. It sat over 1500 (though seating in 1945, according to the Film Daily Yearbook from that year, was reduced to 1000).

After turning to Spanish-language movies in the 70s, it was later converted into a nightclub before closing. The Famous was demolished in the early 90s to make way for a parking lot.

Contributed by Bryan

Recent comments (view all 14 comments)

jazzland
jazzland on November 2, 2007 at 7:46 am

Ewing,

I hope my description of your grandfather’s theatre is pretty accurate. I really liked going there. My grandmother won a dance contest there in the 20’s doing the Charleston and the Big Apple.

happy2155
happy2155 on November 2, 2007 at 7:52 pm

Yes, your description was very accurate. I’m sure your memories of the Famous are probably better than mine. My grandfather died on my 8th birthday, but the Famous was a hugh part of our lives — it was the family business. I was very happy to read that it still held such wonderful memories for you. My grandfather loved it very much. Thank you for writing such a wonderful piece on it. It brought back a lot of memories for me.

SpainSt
SpainSt on March 29, 2009 at 10:55 am

Back in the sixties, when we lived in the neighborhood, my brother and I and all of our cousins would walk to the Famous Theater on a Saturday, armed with six RC Cola bottle caps each, to get into the Saturday Matinee for free. Not only did the bottle caps pay our way in, but we got a ticket as we entered for the prize drawing during intermission! My ticket was picked once, and I was able to go up onto the stage and choose my prize: a large inflated rubber ball. We loved that theater, and I cried when it was finally torn down. Whenever I pass that ugly corner now, I imagine the Famous still standing there. Thank you so much for adding the history here.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on May 25, 2010 at 4:41 pm

The Famous Theatre was playing “GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND” rated G plus a second hit “BLOOD ON THE SUN” admission $1.00 and fifty cents for kids.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on May 25, 2010 at 8:15 pm

How Famous was the FAMOUS THEATRE?

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on May 25, 2010 at 8:26 pm

It was popular with locals with low admission prices even for the 70’s.

ArthurHardy
ArthurHardy on June 11, 2010 at 2:30 pm

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.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on July 10, 2010 at 6:24 pm

From Boxoffice ,June 1992.The Famous Theatre burned down March 15.A case of suspected Arson.Rene Brunet ran it until 1972 when it was sold and became the FAMOUS DISCO, The building had been vacant since 1991.

waltercolbert2
waltercolbert2 on July 29, 2010 at 7:36 pm

what radio station brodcast @ the famous diso in the 1980’s ?

Cajundweeb
Cajundweeb on December 21, 2014 at 10:05 pm

For a time in the 1980s, this was a disco.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.