In 1969 he reached a milestone. Fifty years of family entertainment in the River Parishes! The classic feature film "Gone With The Wind" was shown. All the old movie billboards were put up, the lobby was given that "classic look", and the "good old days" returned to the theatre again. A ten dollar prize was offered to the first five people that could present the original showbill from the 1940's when the movie was first shown. He credits his success to his family. L.J. managed the Laplace Theatre, J. LeBrun in Reserve, his daughters who worked at the ticket booth or concession stand, their husbands and wives, and children all played a part at one time or another. Frank Lapeyrolerie and his family served as "projectionist". Frank Miano drove a bus bringing Garyville residents to the movies. Charley Bailey drove a bus from Montz to the theatre also.  It was truly a "family" operation. Just ten short years later, the grand old theatre opened its doors for the last time. The first movie shown in 1931 was "Half Shot at Sunrise" starring Wheeler and Woolsey. Prices were .10 for kids under 12, .20 for teenagers, & .30 for adults. The last movie shown in May of 1979 was "Godzilla vs. the Cosmic Monster" and prices were $1.00 for kids and $2.00 for adults. Only memories remain of Huntz Hall of the Bowery Boys cutting up for three nights on Maurin's stage. Since 1974, a group of citizens called the Cultural Center Committee had been trying to obtain funding to build a Cultural Center for the Parish. Two referendums had been defeated in the polls(one by only 21 votes). When the theatre went up for sale, they approached the parish council, and by a unanimous vote, they agreed to fund the project. In May of 1980, it was leased to the Committee and renovation began immediately. It re-opened in 1981 as the St. John Cultural & Civic Center.  The theatre was "alive" again.