Narragansett Theater
3 Beach Street,
Narragansett,
RI
02882
3 Beach Street,
Narragansett,
RI
02882
1 person
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The Narragansett Theater is a free-standing building located in the middle of a complex of beach-facing condominiums, a resort hotel, and shops across from Narragansett Beach, which is one of Rhode Island’s best known strand of sand. The complex dates back to the early-mid 1970s when it replaced the streetside buildings of the former main village and the land behind them.
Contributed by
Gerald A. DeLuca
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
Yes, it is listed as the Narragansett Cinemas, but the signs on the front marquee and on the side of the building actually say Narragansett Theater. I checked my photos. Why are some theaters called theatres, while some theatres are theaters? I’ve always preferred -re but the more common spelling is -er. Anyway, moot point. We must call it “cinemas” because of how it publicizes itself. At any rate, the place has a bit of gray-shingled charm despite the sterility, for me, of the whole complex. I wish the theater/theatre/cinemas success.
In regards to the Narragansett Cinemas versus theater…The current owner changed the original “Cinemas” name to Narragansett Theater in 1995 upon purchase and reopening. Narragansett Cinemas was the old name.
It was reported in the Providence Journal that the theater owner is seeking permission to sell liquor at the theatre as a way of increasing revenues.
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The Narragansett was previously known as the Pier Cinema, and is not to be confused with the earlier single-screen Pier, formerly located in a nearby spot, directly across from the ocean, and demolished before this one was built. In 1982 this theatre had two screens and at one point was showing Annie and E.T.
hi. we affectionately call ourselves the Narragansett Theater, Pier theater. the staff, team narragansett theater. our cinemas, hold respectivley roughly 160, 160, and 130 people. we will be very soon undergoing a format change, our previous format; first run movies, will be replaced by one we feel will better help the business survive in the coming years. on thursday september 15th we will close for anywhere from two weeks to a month to transition to foreign, indipendent, and classic films. i hope you will all endevour to support our historic theatre and i thank those of you for your past patronage.
It isn’t too “historic.” It’s a typical, ugly shopping plaza cinema.
Although, as a shopping place, it’s a tad more characterful that many…if you like ersatz beach architecture. The single-screen Casino Theatre/Pier Cinema, demolished in the early 1970s and located a block from here, was a nicer building. Closing for two weeks? I didn’t know it had been open at all this past summer. Anyhow, I hope the new policy is successful. Rhode Island’s South County needs something with that kind of programming.
Good luck, Narragansett Theatre folks. As a new South County resident I would love you see you thrive as a repertory theater featuring classic, foreign and new independent films. Sounds great!
A very attractive framed photograph of the nearby Community Theatre (later Campus Cinema) in 1942, can be seen in the lobby of the Narragansett Theater. Pi Patel, who owns (owned?) the Narragansett, also owned the Campus Theatre in Wakefield. That one closed in 2003, after the opening of the multiplex Entertainment Cinemas on Route 1 in South Kingstown. The Narragansett continues to operate with first-run features. In 2004 a Providence Journal article said that the theatre was due to be closed permanently, but that has not happened.
Under Pi Patel’s ownership, the theatre became a wedding facility. They converted 2 of the three cinemas to banquet rooms. They kept the 3rd as a private cinema.
Patel sold (not sure exactly when but it was recent) the building and the new owners are re-purposing it as an entertainment facility called Narragansett Casino (not to be confused with the old Casino theatre in Narragansett that is also listed in Cinema Treasures). It is a fledging business that is building up to be an entertainment area. The 3rd room is still a private cinema room.
If I find out more, I’ll get back. But there is life and care in there again.