Route 44 Drive-In
Putnam Pike and I 295,
Smithfield,
RI
02917
Putnam Pike and I 295,
Smithfield,
RI
02917
1 person
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The Route 44 Drive-In was opened on August 27, 1952 with Gregory Peck in “The World in His Arms” & Tony Curtis in “Flesh and Fury”. The regular Friday night event in my house in the 1960’s was going up to the Route 44 Drive-In. It had a play area under the screen (we were too young and restricted to the car).
The property was annexed for the construction of Route 295 and the 44/295 interchange in the early-1970’s.
Contributed by
Charles D'Atri
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Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
I grew up about 3 miles from this site. I remember ther was also a Pet shop (Petland, I believe) adjacent that was also taken for I295.
I worked in the snack bar at the RT 44 drive-in from 1964 till 1966 while I was in high school(EP). Joseph Jarvis was the manager at the time. Everett McCain and Eddy (klunk) Parker also worked with me during that time. Part of my duties was to clean the trash from the parking area on weekends as well as repairing and testing the speakers and heaters. We were open during the winter weekends during the time I worked at the RT 44. It was a great job, no pressure, and free movies.
In the late 50’s it was owned by M. Safner.Stilled parked 400 cars. And no I never worked here.Sounds like a great Drive-In.
It sat exactly where the cloverleaf for the Rt 44 and 295 is now.
Hi, can somebody tell me if this drive in Route 44 is the same as the one in this link: http://reanarose.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/creepy-old-abandoned-drive-in-theater-part-1/ I need to check the name because I’m doing a photos exposition and I don’t remember the exact place of this one! Thanks for the help! d
In looking at your pictures and dates of when the freeway was built I don’t think so. I did you send email on your Blog about the location. Also great pictures!!
It seemed similar, but finally I discovered it was a different one, called Sutton motor-in.
Thanks anyway!
d
blu_tango would you be interested in posting your pictures on the Sutton Page?
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/7800
Did it! (It’s an art project, so I was just able to put the framed photos)
The Route 44 Drive-In opened with “the largest screen in southern New England” on August 27th, 1952. Grand opening ad posted.