Aereon Theatre
3345 Metairie Road,
Metairie,
LA
70001
3345 Metairie Road,
Metairie,
LA
70001
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Joy's Theaters Inc.
Previous Names: Joy's Aereon Theatre
Nearby Theaters
I do not know who originally owned the Aereon Theatre, but sometime in the 1960’s, it was acquired by Joy’s Theatres Inc.
The Aereon Theatre opened in 1948 as a 1,000-seat single screen, then twinned, and then Joy’s added to the left side of the building to have a third screen.
The Aereon Theatre had an old Manley popcorn machine with a glass kettle, where you could see the popcorn popping. The manager of the theatre for the last several years was Lois Walsh, a school teacher, and one of Joy Houck’s former wives.
Something odd about this theatre, in theatre #2, there was only one projector, running with 6000' (one hour) reels, so at the end of the third reel, there would be an intermission for a reel change.
The Aereon Theatre was closed on December 16, 1981, and Mrs. Walsh moved to manage Joy’s Panorama Theatre. It was demolished in April 1982.
Contributed by
Michael Hurley
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
My mother and I remember going to the Aereon on Sundays after church and watching some good movies (the big hits that, if you went to some of the big chains would coust 5 and 6 bucks to get in) for a buck.
The Aereon closed in the mid to late 1980s and was demolished. A CVS/Pharmacy stands on the site today.
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.
Quick update: As to the number of screens, by the time the Aereon closed, it went from 3 to 6 screens with an addition on it west side.
Cajundweeb, Hello, My name is Jamie Joy Houck. My grandfather, Joy Houck, owned the Joy’s Aereon. I worked there from 1978 until the theatre closed in April of 1982. It was originally a two house theatre and one addition was added in 1972 making it a three house. I believe you are confusing the addition to the Joy’s Panorama on Airline Highway.
The caption of a 1949 photo of the Aereon Theatre on this web page says that it was built in 1948. I remember the 1949 re-release of the movie San Francisco advertised on the Aereon’s marquee. It also played at my neighborhood theater around that time.
Well, earlier this year, or late last year, CVS moved the drug store to Houma blvd and Airline drive. So, the location now sits empty. Wouldn’t it be nice if they would give back our theatre?
The last movie listing I can find for Joy’s Aereon 3 was December 6, 1981 showing “Superman II,” “The Great Muppet Caper” and “Mommie Dearest.” All shows were $1.00. The building was razed in April 1982.