Sunday, September 04, 2005

New Orleans on the big screen

So I've done my New Orleans and Mississippi booklists, and I thought now would be a good time to begin a list of films set in New Orleans and/or other parts of Louisiana. Here are a few to get you started:
  1. Panic in the Streets (1950) - film noir, Elia Kazan, eerily - um - well, just eery after this week (and here's another good review)
  2. All the King's Men (1949) - well, ya' just gotta see this one, based on Huey Long's rise to power in Louisiana
  3. Jezebel (1938) - Bette Davis at her young best; out-Scarletts Scarlett
  4. Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte (1965) - Bette Davis at her old best; and honey, when that head falls out of that box and rolls down the stairs - damn! - it gets me every time!
  5. Pretty Baby (1978) - Brooke Shields, Susan Sarandon, Keith Carradine, New Orleans brothel
  6. Suddenly Last Summer (1959) - most famous for Elizabeth Taylor in that white bathing suit
  7. WUSA (1970) - really interesting, political film about a right-wing New Orleans radio station; Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward - 'nuff said.
  8. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) - even though you've been watching it all week, watch it one more time
  9. The Big Easy (1987) - well the title alone should tell you what it's about
  10. Interview with a Vampire (1994) - lots of blood-sucking and filigreed wrought-iron
OK - that should get you started. There are a lot more New Orleans/Louisiana movies, (especially scary ones about voo-doo and zombies and such). We cannot let this city just fade away. It's one of the world's great cultural birthin' grounds.

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