Vitascope Hall 

In the summer of 1896, after showing films in a park, Walter Wainwright and William "Pop" Rock opened a storefront moving picture show at 623 Canal Street in New Orleans.

Vitascope Hall

One of the few profitable early efforts, the theatre operated from July 26 until the end of September.
The following is an excerpt from an article by Buddy Stall, columnist for the Clarion Herald, Official Catholic Newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
The only problem we have with the article is the use of the word "permanent."

"The first movie in New Orleans was shown on an outdoor screen on the lakefront June 28, 1896, by Allen B. Blakemore, an electrical engineer for the New Orleans City and Lake Railroad. Blakemore reduced the five-hundred-volt current from the trolley line for his wonderful vitascope machine by way of a water rheosat. 
On July 26, 1896, the first permanent home for showing movies in the United States was opened at 623 Canal Street, corner of Exchange Alley. The name of the theatre was Vitascope Hall. Cost for admission was 10 cents. For an extra 10 cents, you could get a look into the booth where the man was operating the vitascope. If you really wanted to splurge, for another 10 cents you could get a frame of discarded film. Some noted people said it was a fad that would soon pass. The theatre accommodated 400 people and had two shows per day. The first was from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The theatre was reopened at 5 p.m. and stayed open until 10 p.m."

Above photo: Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers.


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