History of Louisiana Story in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 26, 2025

Louisiana Story, directed by Robert J. Flaherty, is a 1948 film presented as a documentary but containing fictional elements. Commissioned by Standard Oil, it depicts the impact of oil drilling on a Cajun boy and his family in the Louisiana bayous. The film contrasts the traditional way of life with the arrival of modern industry, showcasing the coexistence of the oil rig and the natural environment. It explores themes of progress, cultural change, and the relationship between humans and nature, all while presenting a sympathetic view of Standard Oil's operations.

1948: Academy Award Nomination

In 1948, Louisiana Story was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing, Motion Picture Story.

1948: Louisiana Story Film Release

In 1948, Louisiana Story, a black-and-white drama film directed and produced by Robert J. Flaherty, was released. The script was co-written by Flaherty and his wife, Frances H. Flaherty. The film, commissioned by the Standard Oil Company, was intended to promote the company's drilling ventures in the Louisiana bayous, despite being a work of fiction.

1949: Pulitzer Prize for Virgil Thomson

In 1949, Virgil Thomson won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his score of Louisiana Story. The score was based on a field tape of authentic Cajun musicians and was performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy.

1952: Inclusion in Sight and Sound Poll

In 1952, Louisiana Story was included in the top 10 of the first British Film Institute's Sight and Sound poll.

1952: Louisiana Story Reissued as Cajun

In 1952, Louisiana Story was reissued under the title Cajun by an exploitation film outfit. It was presented as the bottom half of a double bill alongside another film called Watusi.

1994: Selection for National Film Registry

In 1994, Louisiana Story was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. It was recognized for being culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.