New Orleans Carnival, 1941

This 1941 home movie, shot in vibrant Kodachrome, captures New Orleans’ Carnival Week starting February 22, just before Mardi Gras on February 25. Likely filmed by an enthusiast, it showcases parades—possibly Nor or early Rex floats—along St. Charles Avenue, with satin-clad pirates, clowns, and ornate carriages in rich color. Crowds revel near Gallier Hall and the Choctaw Club, glass beads glinting, offering a pre-WWII glimpse of a tamer Mardi Gras. Silent and professional yet personal, it’s a priceless time capsule of festivity.