MovieChat Forums > A Love Song for Bobby Long (2005) Discussion > New Orleans locations

New Orleans locations

posted 16 years ago by lipwak
8 replies | jump to latest

I enjoyed trying to recognize the various locations used in the film. It was especially nice to see the Camellia Grill. (Which makes me wonder, have there EVER been waitresses there? I haven't seen any but I only visit occasionally. There weren't when I went to school there...)

I do have some questions though.

In the sequence we see at the beginning and end of the film, we watch Bobby or Purslane walk through various neighborhoods. I described them thus:
1) eastern NO?
2) levee - shot of the Crescent City Connection? If not, what bridge?
3) field (or levee again)
4) Celeste St Wharf
5) downtown - warehouse district? CBD?
6) French quarter - pink house
7) " " ? Magazine St?
8) house with green boards on windows, red balcony and trim
9) green and another shotgun, could be anywhere
10) downtown - see two church's steeple (3 steeples altogether)
11) Quarter - 3 story house with balconies
12) garden district - yellow house with green shutters
13) a park - City or Audubon?
14) cemetery - could be anywhere
15) neighborhood and Rock Bottom Lounge (really exists, 3801 Tchopitoulas, which is on the corner of Peniston)

That route isn't likely; it bounces all around, or does it?

I thought I read on the Howlin' Wolf poster we see at one point, that Purslane's mom's house was at 738 or 725 S Front St. According to Google Maps, both of those addresses are down by the Riverwalk Marketplace so not likely the address of that house we see.

I thought the house looked like it would have been by the Riverbend area, River Dr or Leake Av.

There's one show where we see the levee and we see a white tower in the background. Where is that?

In a picnic scene by the river we see smokestacks on the other side. A pipeline crosses the levee and there are barges tied up there. Where is that?

They take a trip to the Quarter. We see: a house with piano keys on the balcony, the corner of Burgundy and ? with a Mojo-something store in the background. She eats a beignet by the river. We see ships tied up nearby. (it looks upriver or downriver from the Quarter to me.) We see the CCC. Where is that?

They ride the streetcar. We see a white house with pillars. Is that the MTV house? They get off the streetcar and we see another white mansion which could be off St Charles. They walk up the steps of the Latter library on St Charles.

Bobby and Lawson play chess under an umbrella by the river. Where is there sand and shallow water like that?

Anyone recognize the red door Lawson sits in front of before he steals the Christmas tree? One would suppose it was a laundromat, or at least was supposed to be one in the movie.

Anyone recognize Georgianna's house near the neon sign that we see in the rain?

Another scene by the river has a wooden structure in the background. Anyone know where that is?

Loving New Orleans from afar, as I do, seeing these scenes makes me nostalgic.

Thanks.

John L

[–] whiskey147 16 years ago

Levee Road.

Over by Tubular tubes?

I know that they had breakfast at Camille's. They do the cool tricks with the straws.

All men are tools- that's why condoms come with instructions.

[–] ldddhunter 15 years ago

I was born and raised in New Orleans, so I guess I better rent this movie just to see the scenes and I like Travolta alot. Yeah Camellia Grill is a great place to eat and the waiters make it fun for the customers. The best waiter was Harry he worked there for years, and my family always tried to sit in his area, but it seemed like everybody had the same idea. Harry has since passed away, but he is a landmark along w/Camellia Grill. I lived 3 blocks away from the Audubon Zoo. I love that they make movies down here, so that I can see my old stomping grounds. I now live in St. Charles Parish, but I visit now and then my old neighborhood.

[–] grimacinglummox 15 years ago

I just got back from New Orleans last week. I was born and raised there and while I lived there, I couldn't stand it. Katrina ran me out and, over time I began to miss it terribly. Being back there was amazing to me. I did the whole tourist thing too. Ate at restaurants that I never had the money to go to. New Orleans rules though. There is no other place like it.

[–] darlingnicky767 12 years ago

I lived on Henry Clay Avenue also about 3 blocks fro Audubon Park(not the zoo).
Hearing you speak of Harry brought a tear to my eye. What a place.

[–] seraph33 16 years ago

Were Bobby and Lawson having breakfast at the Magnolia Grill one morning at the beginning of the movie? I think he hits on a waitress in that scene. I swear it looks like it, but I've only been at the Magnolia Grill post-Katrina. Not sure if it looked a bit different before.

[–] lipwak 16 years ago

You mean Camilla Grill, don't you?

[–] whiskey147 15 years ago

well, thats what I mean, I cant speak for that other poster.

...and I say that metaphorically to the dumb white girl inside all of us.

[–] haroldgee-1 12 years ago

I live in Bywater, and most of these locations are recognizable. Piety Street Market is at the corner of Piety & Burgundy (it was the original & first Schwegmanns). Bar scenes were in Bud Ripps on Burgundy. The movie jumps around in terms of locale, which is a bit disturbing for someone who actually lives here...like, some guy hobbling along with an injured foot is not going to be walking through the streets of Bywater, and then be walking in front of mansions on St. Charles Avenue...that'd be a LONG walk. But in general, the movie captures the atmosphere of Bywater pretty well, and the pacing of the neighborhood. It's worth watching, especially if you are familiar with Bywater.