Mardi Gras 1941 New Orleans


A parade from 1941 in New Orleans. This is some of the best Mardi Gras film I have ever found and seen. It is absolutely incredible and shows us a more simple time.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 10:23 am and is filed under Mardi Gras. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

17 Responses to “Mardi Gras 1941 New Orleans”

  1. wallywest Says:

    if you are or have read this comment then you are cursed for life. You will have a terrible life and never get married (if you are already married you will get divorced). Only way to undo this curse is if you comment 5 videos with this exact message. **BEWARE**

  2. keith25658 Says:

    Very cheerful parade,it seems that these times were betten than nowadays…That New Orleans carnival seems to me a mixture among the Rio and the Venice ones..great photograph of the men joy to live!!!!Historycol!!

  3. anaconda2000pp Says:

    lets hang out tonight. MSG me on MSN. ID is in my profile. v

  4. anglicansag Says:

    For a native New Orleanian as I am this is a WONDERFUL treasure !!!
    It’s a wonderful relic of a long gone New Orleans… yet with poignance reminds us the New Orleans we still cherish.( and the Rex Parade is still as beautiful !)
    It’s also interesting in its historical context. While these images were occurring the horrors of World War 2 and the Battle of Britain were at there height.

  5. CarterRyanJ Says:

    I’m not saying dont go to Mardi Gras. If you havent been, PLEASE COME!! Join in our unique bachanalin gathering, experinece the magic of our city, and PUT YOU SOUL IN THE HANDS OF OUR MUSIC, but dont come down here and act like an ass b/c you saw it in the movies or tv. Read up on the history and understand that we respect your “house” when we come over, please respect ours.

  6. CarterRyanJ Says:

    YES, Mardi Gras ( New Orleans) is still ALIVE and kicking. YES, its still a huge celebration for thousands and a “good” time…..

    But anyone who thinks its still the same needs to wake up and do some self education on the true history behind what USED TO BE a wonderfull celebration of community and tradition, but lately seems to have been reduced to the level of Spring Break or a rock festival.

  7. CarterRyanJ Says:

    3) Take another look at the footage and the way people are conducting themselves. Having a great time, doing the costume thing, saying farwell to the flesh before Lent. But NOT being obscene, obnoxious, or causing others to feel a need to be concerned for their safety or the safety of our children. It doesnt matter where you stand on the route in New Orleans, if the thugs havent shown up en masse before you get there, wait 5-10 minutes and a crowd will show.

  8. CarterRyanJ Says:

    This past year (2008) after Nagin toasted Rex on Fat Tuesday, he screamed “YO! SOMEBODY HIT MEEEEE!” and the DJ at the Mayors stand began to play “Doin The Butt”. If you dont know the song, look it up and you’ll catch my drift. Hardly a song for a family affair or ANYTHING do with the spirit of Carnival or the culutre of the Crescent City. But then again, it is Nagin…..(Hopefully someone will post video, I was there, but with no camera)

  9. CarterRyanJ Says:

    2) You hear verry little Carnival music at the parades now, just rap and other offensive crap blasted while families try to enjoy what used to be a family affair. Professor Longhair, Al Johnson, The Meters, The Hawkettes, any of the early Brass Bands are rare treats to the ears and more importantly the soul while on the route these days.

  10. CarterRyanJ Says:

    —MY MARDI GRAS RANT: FROM A LOCALS VIEW POINT—

    1) I know people were drinking back then durring Carnival, my familys roots go back here to the late 1800s. I’ve been every year of my life, over 30 years and I feel its FAR from the same. I’m all about tourism to my beloved city, but one of our greatest traditions has been reduced to a mindless alcohol ( other substances) binge.

  11. iloveshoesdoyou Says:

    Mardi Gras lives on….America’s greatest free event………thanks for posting; I agree, it looks the same on Canal St….do you have any footage on St. Charles Ave.?…PPl please come to New Orleans and help it thrive again…it is not just about flashing …..it is a wonderful celebration before Lent….thanks again

  12. cummess Says:

    the same mardi gras as today… nice

  13. DNDZOLLER Says:

    I live in New Orleans. Wow, Mardi gras in this 1941 movie does not look much different than today.

  14. Kicks001 Says:

    There’s a better version of this video at youtube (dot) com / watch?v=o0f2dxbB5Pk
    It doesn’t have that LifeInNewOrleans water mark pasted on it.

  15. SupportNewOrleans Says:

    Wow, that was amazing! Thank you for sharing!!! I didn’t want it to end!

  16. FetchTheSled Says:

    Wow, in color too!!

  17. LifeInNewOrleans Says:

    I hope everyone really enjoys this video.

    If you like to see Katrina aftermath photos that I shot myself…

    come to :

    Click at the top…

    Thanks go out to Russell Elliot and Chris Fontana for all the help!

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