Produced in 1941, “Life in Old Louisiana” was created by Erpi Classroom Films, Inc. in collaboration with James Fortier, the archivist of New Orleans. The film purports to show the history of 1830-1950, and starts with images of a steam boat traveling on the Mississippi River near New Orleans. A northerner interacts with a creole man name Dornier on board the ship who describes life in the deep South. At 1:40, an above-ground plantation home is shown and at 1:52 the fields, which are being worked by slaves. At 2:21 more palatial plantation houses are shown. At 2:37 slaves are shown harvesting sugar cane. At 3:04, another view of the steam boat. At 3:12, the French Quarter in New Orleans is shown. At 3:25 slaves clean the flagstones of the courtyard and domestic staff prepares for the arrival of the Dornier family. At 4:00, the family visits church and then arrives back at the family home at 4:27 for a high tea / coffee. At 4:52 one of the daughters is shown practicing the harp, while the other children take English lessons from a governess. At 4:58, men fight a duel to settle a dispute. At 6:30, the slave market is shown and an auction of slaves is conducted. At 7:08, the New Orleans city hall is shown. At 7:22, a cemetery with above ground tombs is shown. At 7:42, the northerner joins the Dornier family for dinner. At 8:51 a maid sets up the bed for Marie, the family’s daughter. At 9:22 a servant and chaperone accompany Marie and her beau on a date. The film ends with images of the prosperous region with its vast fertile lands, and the mighty river that ensures its growth for decades to come.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
