Gem Theatre
3938 Thalia Street,
New Orleans,
LA
70125
3938 Thalia Street,
New Orleans,
LA
70125
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Bijou Amusement Company
Firms: Dreyfous & Seiferth
Styles: Art Deco
Nearby Theaters
The Gem Theatre opened in 1947. It was operated by the Bijou Amusement Company as an African-American theatre.
Contributed by
Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
I have a photo of the building that I took 08-06-09. If you’d like a copy let me know.
Here is a photo of the Gem Theater taken 08-06-09.
View link
Barry,
Do you have an address for the Gem? It would be much appreciated. Thanks
The tiger too?
Currently it is boarded up – somewhat deteriorated but I’ve seen worse.
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.
Designed by Dreyfous and Seiferth, architects. 1947. Specifications in the Southeastern Architectural Archive, Tulane University.
The GEM Theatre is currently being restored to its original state as a historic building although being repurposed as a small brewery and tasting room.