From King Creole to A Streetcar Named Desire to The Princess and the Frog, Louisiana and its characters have played a starring role throughout cinematic history. Join The Historic New Orleans Collection for a new social-media-driven series called #NolaMovieNight—a group rewatch of a New Orleans-set (or New Orleans-shot) film. Our staff experts will be joined by guest rewatchers to provide historical context, location-spotting, behind-the-scenes tidbits, accent critiques, and lots of participatory fun. 

THNOC has long documented Louisiana's star-studded history with film both in exhibitions and through its holdings. #NolaMovieNight offers an opportunity for film lovers (and critics) to gather virtually to share thoughts and observations about various titles from the rich Louisiana filmography. 

Here’s how to participate: 

1. Follow @visit_thnoc on Twitter. (Engaging on Twitter will provide the best experience, but if you don't have a Twitter account, you can follow our updates below.)  

2. Obtain the selected movie or cue up your DVD copy. We’ll provide streaming options. 

3. Watch the @visit_thnoc Twitter feed for the signal to press “play” at the designated time (Central time zone). That’s when we all start watching together. (Spoiler alert: The signal to press “play” will be a tweet containing the words “Press play!”) 

4. Enjoy the film and prepare to learn something new with us. 

5. Follow the comments of other watchers by searching Twitter for #NolaMovieNight and tapping “latest” atop your feed.  

6. Join the conversation! Use the hashtag #NolaMovieNight to share your memories of the film with us, or fire up your best Twitter rewatch commentary.  

Next showing: Down by Law | Monday, June 7 | Press play at 7 p.m. (CDT) 

 

#NolaMovieNight returns Monday, June 7, at 7 p.m. (CDT), with Down by Law, Jim Jarmusch’s quirky 1986 comedy set in Louisiana. Starring Tom Waits, John Lurie, and Roberto Benigni, the movie tells the story of three eccentric convicts and their adventures through the swamp after escaping from their Orleans Parish Prison cell in the 1980s. 

Tweet along and share your favorite quotes with fellow fans, or watch the trio’s camaraderie unfold for the first time. 

Find places to stream the movie here, and find your seat at 7 p.m. CDT on Monday, June 7. 

From left to right, Tom Waits, Roberto Benigni (top bunk), John Lurie (bottom right bunk) in a publicity still from Down by Law (THNOC, 2014.0102.195).