Abbeville in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Louisiana Story
July 1, 2017
1. Louisiana Story Marker
In 1945, renowned documentary filmmaker Robert Flaherty was commissioned by the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey to make a film as part of a public relations project.
Flaherty directed filming of Louisiana Story on location at Avery Island and Weeks Island, Louisiana in 1946 and 1947. While filming, Flaherty, his wife Frances, and his crew lived in a rented home at 307 N. Main Street in Abbeville.
Employing local Cajun people as actors, the film depicted the impact upon the life of a Cajun trapper family living on a bayou when an oil rig begins drilling near their cabin.
Louisiana Story had its southern premiere at the Frank's Theater in Abbeville on Sunday, February 20th, 1949.
Shown worldwide, Louisiana Story received many honors, including nominations for an Academy Award for Best Writing/Motion Picture Story. Additionally, composer Virgil Thompson received a Pulitzer Prize for the Musical score. In 1994 the Library of Congress declared the film to be culturally significant and placed it on the National Film Registry.
Louisiana Story was Robert Flaherty's last directed film. He died in 1951. Recognized as a film classic, it also serves as an enduring and poetic portrayal of Louisiana's natural environment and Cajun people. - by Elemore Morgan, Jr.
Erected by
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list.
Location. 29° 58.414′ N, 92° 8.203′ W. Marker is in Abbeville, Louisiana, in Vermilion Parish. Marker is at the intersection of South Jefferson Street and South Magdalen Square, on the right when traveling north on South Jefferson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 133 South Jefferson Street, Abbeville LA 70510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pére Antoine Desiré Mégret (within shouting distance of this marker); Abbeville (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saint Mary Magdalen Church (about 500 feet away); Old Catholic Cemetery (about 600 feet away); Est. 1885 St. Mary Congregational Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Old Masonic Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Acadian Prairie Settlement (approx. 5.2 miles away); Bancker Ferry (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abbeville.
More about this marker. Located in front of the Frank's
July 1, 2017
2. Louisiana Story Marker
Marker can be seen next to Highway 14 sign.
Also see . . . Excerpt from Louisiana Story (YouTube, 6 min.). "Excerpt from the UCLA Film & Television Archive's restoration of Robert J. Flaherty's LOUSIANA STORY (1948), a portrayal of Cajun life and the disruption an oil company causes when it enters the bayou." (Submitted on July 4, 2017.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2017, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 456 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 4, 2017.
