From Cameo to Close-Up

From the unique urban landscapes of New Orleans’s French Quarter to the exotic swamps along the Gulf Coast, the picturesque scenery of Louisiana has provided the backdrop for films since the early 1900s. Filmmakers and screen icons such as Bette Davis, Elia Kazan, Steve McQueen, Elvis Presley, and Brad Pitt all make up the rich fabric of filmmaking in Louisiana. From Cameo to Close-Up: Louisiana in Film highlights the important role film has played in shaping national and international perceptions of our region and how it has helped fuel the rapid growth of the Louisiana tourism economy in the second half of the 20th century.