Robert E. Lee Theatre
133 Robert E. Lee Boulevard,
New Orleans,
LA
70124
133 Robert E. Lee Boulevard,
New Orleans,
LA
70124
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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.
NOTE THERE WERE AT LEAST ONE OTHER IN BAJON ROUGE ROBERT E. LEE, AND SHOWN HERE ON CINEMA TREASURES INTERESTING
THE ROBERT E. LEE THEATER WAS A MANN HOUSE BUT WAS PART OF A TRADE OF A NUMBER OF THEATERS MANN HAD WITH GCC
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.
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
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.
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.
This opened on October 20th, 1965, teaser ad has been uploaded.
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.
Another single screen gone.
Louis Malle’s “PRETTY BABY” set in New Orleans opened at the Robert E.Lee Theatre. $1.50 before 1:45pm. Last show was at 9:30pm. Wonder what kind of business it did.
The Robert E. Lee was demolished last week. According to an article in the Times Picyune, it opened in 1965. I saw The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno, The Excorcist, For Pete’s Sake, Harold and Maude and many other great films at this theater.
The Robert E. Lee hosted some great movies in its day. I saw the Poseidon Adventure, the Towering Inferno, Star Trek the Motion Picture, and many others at this great theater. If you lived on the Lakefront and wanted to see a top line movie on the big screen….the Robert E. Lee was it. Unfortunately, as with all single screen theaters, it couldn’t keep up with the multiplex’s. But I still think of it as one of the best movie theaters I ever experienced.
ATP
The Robert E. Lee was built by Joy N. Houck, owner of Joy’s Theatres Inc., who operated many theatres throughout Louisiana and surrounding states.
I remember seeing Funny Girl at Joy’s Robert E. Lee. Mr. Houck once told me that he showed Dr. Zhivago for over a year at the ‘Lee’.
It was sold to National General Theatres, then became a Mann Theatre.
An identical theatre, with the same name, was built by Joy’s Theatres in Baton Rouge, La at 5800 Plank Road. The Baton Rouge Robert E. Lee closed in 1987.
Here is a 2006 photo of what remains of the theatre.