Louisiana Story (1948) - Turner Classic Movies

Brief Synopsis

A Louisiana boy gets involved with an oil company drilling in the bayou.

Cast & Crew

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Robert Flaherty

Joseph Boudreaux

The boy [Alexander Napoleon Ulysses LaTour]

Lionel Leblanc

His father [Jean LaTour]

Mrs. E. Bienvenu

Frank Hardy

The driller [Tom]

C. P. Guedry

Film Details

Genre

Documentary

Release Date

Sep 28, 1948

Premiere Information

not available

Production Company

Robert J. Flaherty Productions, Inc.

Distribution Company

Lopert Films, Inc.

Country

United States

Location

Louisiana, USA

Technical Specs

Duration

1h 17m

Synopsis

As a young boy named Alexander Napoleon Ulysses LaTour plays with his pet raccoon among the bayous of Petit Anse, Louisiana, oil prospectors set up a derrick and begin drilling in the marshlands. Although the boy's father, Jean, thinks the men have little chance of locating oil, he cheerfully gives them permission to drill. The driller, Tom, and his boilerman befriend Alexander, who tells them that he always carries a bag of salt to ward off the evil spirits of the bayous. One day, Alexander's raccoon is chased by an alligator, and the boy, believing the "'gator ate his 'coon," spits on his bait for luck and catches the alligator. He and his father then proudly show the skin to the oilmen. Soon, the wildcat rig blows, shooting up gas and salt water, and eventually has to be capped. After the men abandon the well, Alexander pours his "magic" salt and spits into it, then tells the men that the evil "things" of the marshes are preventing them from striking oil. Later the men angle their drilling, bypassing the pressure area, and strike oil. The derrick is removed, and the well is topped with the usual metal cap, called a "Christmas tree." When Tom thanks Jean for his lease, Alexander tells Tom he knew he would strike oil. With profits from the well, Jean buys presents for his wife and son. As he tries out the new rifle his father gave him, Alexander finds his raccoon in a tree. The oil workers then depart on a barge with all of their equipment, and Alexander sits with his raccoon on top of the "Christmas tree" and waves goodbye.

Director

Robert Flaherty

Cast

Joseph Boudreaux

The boy [Alexander Napoleon Ulysses LaTour]

Lionel Leblanc

His father [Jean LaTour]

Mrs. E. Bienvenu

Frank Hardy

The driller [Tom]

C. P. Guedry

Crew

Henry Brant

Tech Assistant for Music

Benjamin Doniger

Bob Fine

Frances Flaherty

Robert Flaherty

Robert Flaherty

Richard Leacock

Associate Producer

Richard Leacock

Members Of The Philadelphia Orchestra

[Music] performed by

Eugene Ormandy

Ralph Rosenblum

Editor Assistant

Leonard Stark

Sound Assistant

Virgil Thomson

Helen Van Dongen

Helen Van Dongen

Associate Producer

Film Details

Genre

Documentary

Release Date

Sep 28, 1948

Premiere Information

not available

Production Company

Robert J. Flaherty Productions, Inc.

Distribution Company

Lopert Films, Inc.

Country

United States

Location

Louisiana, USA

Technical Specs

Duration

1h 17m

Award Nominations

Best Writing

1949

Articles

Robert Flaherty on DVD

March 20, 2003

From cinematic pioneer Robert Flaherty comes two Special Edition DVDs: Man of Aran and Louisiana Story. The Aran Islands is a windswept ocean-carved mass of rocks, and the setting for Robert Flaherty's heroic portrayal of a people living and thriving under the harshest conditions. This Special Edition DVD of Man of Aran features a new high-definition transfer; a documentary about the making of Man of Aran; footage from "Flaherty and Film" with Frances Flaherty and Robert Gardner; Hidden and Seeking; a documentary featuring Frances Flaherty; footage of Robert Flaherty discussing Man of Aran; and a behind-the-scenes gallery.

Louisiana Story is a cinematic pastoral of a young boy's life as it undergoes change imposed by modern industry. For his last great work, Robert Flaherty re-envisioned his own childhood into an Arcadian adventure on the bayou of Louisiana. With an Academy Award-winning score, the Special Edition Louisiana Story on DVD features a brand new high-definition transfer; "Letters Home" a selection of correspondence from cinematographer Richard Leacock to his wife during the production of Louisiana Story; footage from "Flaherty and Film" with Frances Flaherty and Robert Gardner; Hidden and Seeking; a documentary featuring Frances Flaherty; and an excerpt from The Land, a short film Flaherty made for - but never exhibited by - the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Both Man of Aran and Louisiana Story are priced at $29.95 each.

MAN OF ARAN
Directed By Robert Flaherty

"Robert J. Flaherty left the Aran Islands with a truly exalted work...undoubtedly the greatest film tribute to man's struggle against hostile nature." -Pauline Kael

Robert J. Flaherty's award-winning Man of Aran uses stunning location photography and brilliant montage editing to build a forceful drama of life on the Aran Islands. Situated among the frequent and violent storms that slam into its barren landscape, the islands are "three wastes of rock" off the western coast of Ireland. With a small crew, Flaherty spent nearly two years shooting, developing, and assembling footage of the islanders' Herculean efforts to survive in unbearably harsh conditions. Home Vision Entertainment is proud to present this historic masterpiece in a new digital transfer.

*A new digital transfer
*How the Myth Was Made, a documentary about the making of Man of Aran, co-produced by James Brown and George C. Stoney
*Hidden and Seeking, a documentary excerpt in which Frances Flaherty reflects on her life and work with Robert Flaherty
*Flaherty and Film, a filmed discussion between Frances Flaherty and Robert Gardner about the making of Man of Aran
*Looking Back, Robert Flaherty reflects on the two and a half years of production on the Aran isles in this film excerpt
*Outside the Frame, a gallery of production stills, sketches and publicity photos
DVD $29.95

LOUISIANA STORY
Directed By Robert J. Flaherty

Nominated for an Oscar® and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for its musical score, Robert J. Flaherty's last masterpiece is a visually stunning, lyrical tribute to a land and its people. Known as the 'Father of the Documentary', Flaherty fills every frame of this exquisitely photographed film with his poetic vision of nature and the human spirit. Through the eyes of a young Cajun boy living on the Louisiana Bayou, Flaherty tells a story of disruption and change when an oil rig brings industry into his pristine world. Listed on the National Film Registry as a national treasure, Louisiana Story has finally been restored to its original glory.

*Fully Restored by UCLA Film and Television Archive, MOMA, and The Library of Congress
*Aspect Ratio-1.33:1
*Sight and Sound Critics' Poll, One of the Top Ten Films of All Time
*The New York Times, The National Board of Review: One of the Year's Ten Best
1948 * USA * Runtime 79 min. * BW * DVD * English, and Creole *
DVD $29.95

For more information, visit The Criterion Collection web site.

Robert Flaherty On Dvd

Robert Flaherty on DVD

From cinematic pioneer Robert Flaherty comes two Special Edition DVDs: Man of Aran and Louisiana Story. The Aran Islands is a windswept ocean-carved mass of rocks, and the setting for Robert Flaherty's heroic portrayal of a people living and thriving under the harshest conditions. This Special Edition DVD of Man of Aran features a new high-definition transfer; a documentary about the making of Man of Aran; footage from "Flaherty and Film" with Frances Flaherty and Robert Gardner; Hidden and Seeking; a documentary featuring Frances Flaherty; footage of Robert Flaherty discussing Man of Aran; and a behind-the-scenes gallery. Louisiana Story is a cinematic pastoral of a young boy's life as it undergoes change imposed by modern industry. For his last great work, Robert Flaherty re-envisioned his own childhood into an Arcadian adventure on the bayou of Louisiana. With an Academy Award-winning score, the Special Edition Louisiana Story on DVD features a brand new high-definition transfer; "Letters Home" a selection of correspondence from cinematographer Richard Leacock to his wife during the production of Louisiana Story; footage from "Flaherty and Film" with Frances Flaherty and Robert Gardner; Hidden and Seeking; a documentary featuring Frances Flaherty; and an excerpt from The Land, a short film Flaherty made for - but never exhibited by - the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Both Man of Aran and Louisiana Story are priced at $29.95 each. MAN OF ARAN Directed By Robert Flaherty "Robert J. Flaherty left the Aran Islands with a truly exalted work...undoubtedly the greatest film tribute to man's struggle against hostile nature." -Pauline Kael Robert J. Flaherty's award-winning Man of Aran uses stunning location photography and brilliant montage editing to build a forceful drama of life on the Aran Islands. Situated among the frequent and violent storms that slam into its barren landscape, the islands are "three wastes of rock" off the western coast of Ireland. With a small crew, Flaherty spent nearly two years shooting, developing, and assembling footage of the islanders' Herculean efforts to survive in unbearably harsh conditions. Home Vision Entertainment is proud to present this historic masterpiece in a new digital transfer. *A new digital transfer *How the Myth Was Made, a documentary about the making of Man of Aran, co-produced by James Brown and George C. Stoney *Hidden and Seeking, a documentary excerpt in which Frances Flaherty reflects on her life and work with Robert Flaherty *Flaherty and Film, a filmed discussion between Frances Flaherty and Robert Gardner about the making of Man of Aran *Looking Back, Robert Flaherty reflects on the two and a half years of production on the Aran isles in this film excerpt *Outside the Frame, a gallery of production stills, sketches and publicity photos DVD $29.95 LOUISIANA STORY Directed By Robert J. Flaherty Nominated for an Oscar® and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for its musical score, Robert J. Flaherty's last masterpiece is a visually stunning, lyrical tribute to a land and its people. Known as the 'Father of the Documentary', Flaherty fills every frame of this exquisitely photographed film with his poetic vision of nature and the human spirit. Through the eyes of a young Cajun boy living on the Louisiana Bayou, Flaherty tells a story of disruption and change when an oil rig brings industry into his pristine world. Listed on the National Film Registry as a national treasure, Louisiana Story has finally been restored to its original glory. *Fully Restored by UCLA Film and Television Archive, MOMA, and The Library of Congress *Aspect Ratio-1.33:1 *Sight and Sound Critics' Poll, One of the Top Ten Films of All Time *The New York Times, The National Board of Review: One of the Year's Ten Best 1948 * USA * Runtime 79 min. * BW * DVD * English, and Creole * DVD $29.95 For more information, visit The Criterion Collection web site.

Louisiana Story

May 27, 2003

Robert Flaherty may not have created the documentary but he was the most important single figure in its early development. In fact the word "documentary" was first used to describe his film Nanook of the North. Two of his most important works have been released on DVD by Home Vision, Lousiana Story (1948) and Man of Aran (1934). Don't expect the rough, unrehearsed feel of modern-day cinema verite, since Flaherty frequently worked in a more scripted style that at times veered closer to a fictional feature. His goal, though, was always a deeper truth and he wasn't bothered by a few minor details that stood in the way. His films still have a power and honesty decades later that many documentaries only a few years old lack which is evidence to the effectiveness of his purpose.

Lousiana Story follows a 12-year-old Cajun boy in Louisiana through his life in the bayou and then as an oil company sets up an oil-drilling operation. The film was financed by Standard Oil (even though Flaherty was unusually given full rights) so you shouldn't expect a cautionary tale of corporate spoilage of the environment; in fact some critics have considered it more a promotional piece for the wonders of modern corporations. Still, Flaherty was a bit more subtle than that though like all his films, Louisiana Story focuses most strongly on people and their environment. The film also boasts lush photography by Richard Leacock while the great composer/critic Virgil Thomson contributed a Pulitzer Prize winning score, the only time that award went to film music. Louisiana Story was nominated for a Best Writing Oscar and in 1994 was added to the National Film Registry.

The DVD has over two hours of insightful extras. Along with a half-hour excerpt from Flaherty's 1942 The Land, there's a lengthy interview with Flaherty's wife Frances, a separate half-hour excerpt from another full-length film this time about Frances' still photography called Hidden and Seeking, an audio commentary by Frances and Leacock for the film's famous opening scene, and the short "Letters Home" where an actor reads Leacock's letters to his wife during the filming. Taken together these add rich background to Flaherty's work.

For more information about Louisiana Story, visit Home Vision Entertainment. To order Louisiana Story, go to TCM Shopping.

by Lang Thompson

Louisiana Story

Robert Flaherty may not have created the documentary but he was the most important single figure in its early development. In fact the word "documentary" was first used to describe his film Nanook of the North. Two of his most important works have been released on DVD by Home Vision, Lousiana Story (1948) and Man of Aran (1934). Don't expect the rough, unrehearsed feel of modern-day cinema verite, since Flaherty frequently worked in a more scripted style that at times veered closer to a fictional feature. His goal, though, was always a deeper truth and he wasn't bothered by a few minor details that stood in the way. His films still have a power and honesty decades later that many documentaries only a few years old lack which is evidence to the effectiveness of his purpose. Lousiana Story follows a 12-year-old Cajun boy in Louisiana through his life in the bayou and then as an oil company sets up an oil-drilling operation. The film was financed by Standard Oil (even though Flaherty was unusually given full rights) so you shouldn't expect a cautionary tale of corporate spoilage of the environment; in fact some critics have considered it more a promotional piece for the wonders of modern corporations. Still, Flaherty was a bit more subtle than that though like all his films, Louisiana Story focuses most strongly on people and their environment. The film also boasts lush photography by Richard Leacock while the great composer/critic Virgil Thomson contributed a Pulitzer Prize winning score, the only time that award went to film music. Louisiana Story was nominated for a Best Writing Oscar and in 1994 was added to the National Film Registry. The DVD has over two hours of insightful extras. Along with a half-hour excerpt from Flaherty's 1942 The Land, there's a lengthy interview with Flaherty's wife Frances, a separate half-hour excerpt from another full-length film this time about Frances' still photography called Hidden and Seeking, an audio commentary by Frances and Leacock for the film's famous opening scene, and the short "Letters Home" where an actor reads Leacock's letters to his wife during the filming. Taken together these add rich background to Flaherty's work. For more information about Louisiana Story, visit Home Vision Entertainment. To order Louisiana Story, go to TCM Shopping. by Lang Thompson

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

The film's title card reads: "Louisiana Story being an account of certain adventures of a cajun (Acadian) boy who lives in the marshlands of Petit Anse Bayou in Louisiana." The onscreen credits offer "deep thanks for [the] help and cooperation" of the following people: E. A. McIlhenny and family, Avery Island; Lucy Benjamin Lemann, New Orleans; W. B. Cotten, Jr., Baton Rouge; Mr. and Mrs. Larry Jordan, Weeks Island; and to the officials and crew of the Humble Derrick No. 1 on Petit Anse Bayou. According to a modern source, the native Louisiana Cajun boy, Joseph Boudreaus, was discovered by cameraman Richard Leacock and Flaherty's wife Frances.
Louisiana Story was the first film that Flaherty, whom the New York Times called the "father of documentary," made following a six-year absence from the screen. His previous picture, The Land, was released in 1942. As noted in the Variety review, Standard Oil of New Jersey contributed $200,000 to the film's production. The review states that although the company had no rights and no identification in the film, it stood "to get across the idea that oil companies are beneficently public-spirited, their employees honest, industrious and amiable, and their operations productive and innocuous." According to a modern source, Flaherty's contract with Standard Oil insured that all of the film's profits went to him. Robert and Frances Flaherty were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing (Motion Picture Story) for the film.
Although the Hollywood Reporter review called Virgil Thomson's musical score "static...florid and out of place," Thomson, a music critic for the New York Herald Tribune, was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for the score. According to Hollywood Citizen-News, Thomson's Pulitzer was the first given for music connected to a motion picture. As noted in Hollywood Reporter, in October 1948, Film International of America acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film. According to modern sources, the film was re-released in 1952 under the title Cajun and was shown as a second feature with Armand Denis' Watusi. Louisiana Story was Flaherty's last completed picture. He died in 1951.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States Fall September 1948

Released in United States September 1948

Shown at London Film Festival November 5-19, 1998.

35mm

b&w

dialogue English & French

Selected in 1994 for inclusion in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry.

Released in United States Fall September 1948

Released in United States September 1948

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