Robert E. Lee Theatre
133 Robert E. Lee Boulevard,
New Orleans,
LA
70124
133 Robert E. Lee Boulevard,
New Orleans,
LA
70124
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: General Cinema Corp., Mann Theatres
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Aug 13, 2009 — Robert E. Lee Theater in New Orleans to be demolished
Another Lakeview area theatre, located on Robert E. Lee Boulevard in a small shopping center many simply referred to as the Robert E. Lee center.(also had a Canal Villere grocery store, popular Chinese Restaurant China Rose, and a Walgreens). The theatre opened in 1969.
It is a large glass facade building with a grand elegant lobby setting reminiscent of a grand riverboat…very elegant in a 1970’s manner. Had a great sign above the building that flashed Robert E. Lee, in riverboat style letters. Always remained a large single screen house which served a mostly upscale suburban clientele.
The Robert E. Lee Theatre closed in 1991, its last operators were General Cinema Theatres. It was demolished in August 2009.
Contributed by
craig trent, Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
Another single screen gone.
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.
This opened on October 20th, 1965, teaser ad has been uploaded.
I have many fond memories of the Robert E. Lee. I drove from Gulfport MS several times to see films on their big screen. I saw Aliens and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom there in 70MM and I still have the one-sheet from Blue Velvet they were giving away during its run.
The last operator was General Cinema. I was the manager of the Lee from early 1985 to 1988. Kenny, I was there during Aliens and Blue Velvet. Many people wanted to buy the 5 huge riverboat type chandeliers, the portrait of General Lee and the matching victorian love seats in the 2 story glass fronted lobby. Also, it was the only theatre that I know of that had a copper concession stand.
Here is a link to something I posted about the Robert E. Lee after I heard about its demolition.
http://www.movingpictureblog.com/2009/08/wrecking-ball-claims-another-one.html
I remember seeing the Jessica Lange version of “King Kong” there. In the roof, they stuck a statue (?) of Kong climbing the World Trade Center. Impressive sight from the parking lot.
THE ROBERT E. LEE THEATER WAS A MANN HOUSE BUT WAS PART OF A TRADE OF A NUMBER OF THEATERS MANN HAD WITH GCC
NOTE THERE WERE AT LEAST ONE OTHER IN BAJON ROUGE ROBERT E. LEE, AND SHOWN HERE ON CINEMA TREASURES INTERESTING
I think the theatre was originally built by Joy (as was the one in Baton Rouge, also with the same name). Then National General Cinemas acquired it and opened the Cine Royale downtown. The Exorcist ran exclusively at both of these theatres for months. National General became Mann, and then there were other ownership changes. My first memory of this theatre was seeing Gone With the Wind for the first time ever, at this theatre, in a reserved-seat engagement.