Rare Amateur Footage of Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans

This amateur footage of the Krewe of Rex parading in the 1941 Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans has spectacular color. It documents just how different the celebration of pre-World War II is from the modern ones. The spectators are all lavishly costumed as cowboys and Indians, characters from Gone with the Wind, and others. They participate with the parade instead of just standing on the sidelines. The floats emulate creativity and loving craftsmanship. There is also footage of a dance contest where the contestants throw themselves into the spirit of things with a reckless joy. This is valuable documentation of an early Mardi Gras, a jubilant and nostalgic film that captures the elegance and intimacy of earlier celebrations.