Clabon Theatre
1031 N. Claiborne Avenue,
New Orleans,
LA
70116
1031 N. Claiborne Avenue,
New Orleans,
LA
70116
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: United Theatres
Functions: Church
Previous Names: Harlequin Theatre, Plaza Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Opened in 1910 as an open-air theatre named Harlequin Theatre. It was later renamed Plaza Theatre. Following a remodel, it reopened as the Clabon Theatre on December 25, 1938 with Freddie Bartholomew & Judy Garland in “Listen Darling”. Seating was listed at 460. The theatre was located on Claiborne Avenue at the corner of Ursulines Avenue. The theatre was owned and operated by United Theatres.
The Clabon Theatre closed in the mid-1970’s and was used as a church and then stood vacant for many years covered in graffiti. The building collapsed on July 6, 2022.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
This theatre has quite an interesting past. It originally opened in 1910 as the Harlequin, an open air theatre (no roof). Passes were given on rainy nights. It was owned by Rene Brunet Sr., father of Rene Brunet, who now owns the Prytania.
One of the projectionists that worked at the Harlequin was Salvadore “Toto” Giuffre, who I trained with at the Skyvue Drive-In in the early 70’s. Rene Sr. built the Imperial, and sold the Harlequin, which then became the Plaza.
At some point, United Theatres obtained the theatre and changed the name to the Clabon.
What comes around goes around…in around 1970, Rene Brunet Jr. purchased the theatre from United, and operated the Clabon un til 1978, . It became a disco, and then, the church that is currently in this historic building.
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.
Opened 12.25.1938 with a 1:00 pm screening Judy Garland’s “Listen, Darling”
7/6/22 Theater collapsed and was demolished. https://www.nola.com/news/article_fb989e3e-fe10-11ec-97a1-1f3041a8061b.amp.html