A living, breathing colorful place, the French Quarter, is as alive as the city in which it is located. The Quarter's vibrancy resonates in the memories of the people who have lived and spent time there. French Quarter resident and artist George Dureau believes, "The French Quarter is what you want it to be."
This hour-long documentary looks back at the history of the French Quarter over the last 50 to 75 years, including the heyday of Bourbon Street nightlife and the history of the muffuletta sandwich. Pete Fountain, Dr. John, Clarence "Frogman" Henry and Bourbon Street entertainer "Evangeline the Oyster Girl" reminisce about entertainment in the French Quarter in the 1950s.
Angelo Brocato III, whose family still runs New Orleans' favorite ice cream parlor, remembers the burgeoning Italian community. French Market hot spots like Morning Call are remembered in rare archival footage. Broadcast personalities Terry Flettrich Rohe, along with Bob and Jan Carr, discuss raising a family in the French Quarter. And then there are the Quarter's wonderful characters, such as Ruthie the Duck Girl and "Diamond Jim" Moran, the restauranteur with diamonds in his meatballs.
Filled with rare historic footage and home movies, THE FRENCH QUARTER THAT WAS chronicles the people and places that have made the historic French Quarter New Orleans' most beloved neighborhood.
