Steel Magnolias

It was on this location that the movie Steel Magnolias filmed Shelby's (Julia Roberts) funeral. It was this scene that prompted the phrase "laughter through the tears" which was used to describe the movie. Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Shirley MacLaine and Daryl Hannah were all in this scene. In August 1988, the American Cemetery Association offered the use of the cemetery to Tri Star Pictures at no charge, but for legal reasons the property had to be leased. Accordingly, the American Cemetery was leased to Tri Star Pictures for $1.00, and the lease check was never cashed. Natchitoches native Robert (Bobby) Harling wrote Steel Magnolias.