History of Rhode Island movie theatres and drive-ins

History of Rhode Island movie theatres and drive-ins

History of Rhode Island
movie theatres and
drive-ins
Includes Providence
1/1/2012
1
PROVIDENCE COUNTY
PROVIDENCE
Albee
320 Westminster
April 21st, 1919-August 31st, 1965
2,225 seats
Owners:
1930-1961 Radio-Keith-Orpheum
1961-1965 RKO Stanley Warner
Art
AKA: Liberty
1017 Broad
1958-? 1969
Owners:
1958-1961 Daytz Theatres
1964-1969 Lockwood and Gordon
2
Avon
260 Thayer
1938528 seats
Owners:
1935 Affiliated Theaters Corp.
1940 Affiliated Theaters Corp. & Lockwood and
Gordon partnership
1950 Lockwood and Gordon
1954 Daytz Theatres & Lockwood and Gordon
partnership
1961-1969 Lockwood and Gordon
Bijou
AKA: Empire, Westminster
368 Westminster
? 1935-1947
Smith, Phil, Theatrical Enterprises owned this theatre
1940-1947.
Bijou
164 Westminster
? 1915-? 1925
Bullock's
AKA: Globe
34 Richmond
May 26th, 1909-1915
Cable Car
204 S Main http://www.cablecarcinema.com/
1976125 seats
3
Capitol
569 Westminster
1923-1958
983 seats
1903-1912 Imperial
1913-1919 Colonial
1919-1922 Mayflower
1923-1931 Capitol
1932-1958 E.M. Loew's Capitol
Cinerama
AKA: Hope
811 Hope
1961-1983
2 cinemas in 1974
Owners:
1964-1969 Lockwood and Gordon
1975-1983 SBC Management Corporation
Carlton
AKA: Emery
79 Mathewson
? 1930-1954
1,425 seats
C & F Theater Company owned this theatre 19301945
Casino
126 Mathewson
1907-? 1915
584 seats
Castle
1039 Chalkstone http://www.castlecinema.com/
1925-2004
2 screens in the early 1970’s and 3 in the early
1990’s.
Owners:
1955 Daytz Theatres & Lockwood and Gordon
partnership
1961-1969 Lockwood and Gordon
1975-1980 SBC Management Corporation
Colonial
569 Westminster
1913-1919
1903-1912 Imperial
1913-1919 Colonial
1919-1922 Mayflower
1923-1931 Capitol
1932-1958 E.M. Loew's Capitol
Columbia
AKA: Columbia, Continental, Rivoli
Cinema
589 Charles
? 1940-? 1950
278 seats
? 1969
Lockwood and Gordon owned this theatre.
4
Columbus
270 Broadway
1926-1929, 1965* November 1st, 1926 opened as Columbus
* 1929 renamed uptown
* 1955-1961 owner: Daytz Theatres
* 1962 closed and reopened later in the year
* November 24th, 1965 the balcony is sealed off and
is renamed Studio, the first twin cinema in
Providence.
* 1969 the Swedish sex film. " I Am Curoius (Yellow)
is shown on both screens
* 1970-1980's adult movies were shown
* 2001 movies on a part-time basis. It is used for a
film festival every year.
Elmwood
786 Elmwood
February 1st, 1950-? 1975
724 seats
Owners:
1950-1969 Smith, Phil, Theatrical Enterprises
1975 Hallmark Releasing Corp.
Emery
AKA: Carleton
79 Mathewson
1914-? 1925
Continental
AKA: Columbia, Continental, Rivoli
589 Charles
? 1930
This theatre had no roof.
Dimeria
7 Stokes
? 1907
Edisonia
AKA: Pastime, Gem
1911 Westminster
dates unknown
5
Empire
AKA: Bijou, Westminster
368 Westminster
? 1920-1949
Smith, Phil, Theatrical Enterprises owned this theatre
1940-1945.
Gaiety
220 Weybosett
September 14th, 1914-1927
Empire
410 Westminster
1899-? 1915
Gem
AKA: Pastime, Edisonia
1911 Westminster
dates unknown
Globe
AKA: Bullock’s
34 Richmond
1915-1916
Hippodrome
Fay's
60 Union
? 1917-? 1950
1,938 seats
Fountain near Mathewson and Union
January 9th, 1915-? 1919
3,000 seats
This was promoted as the largest one-floor theatre in
the world with 3,000 seats.
Feinstein IMAX
9 Providence
2000National Amusements took it over in 2006.
6
Hope
Keith’s Gaiety
811 Hope
? 1930-? 1961
1,011 seats
Owners:
1940 Affiliated Theaters Corp. & Lockwood and
Gordon partnership
1950 Lockwood and Gordon
1955 Daytz Theatres & Lockwood and Gordon
partnership
1961 Daytz Theatres
316 Westminster
dates unknown
AKA: Cinerama
AKA: Nickel, Providence Dime Museum, Olympic, Park
Keith's
? 1920-? 1925
La Sirena
347 Atwells
1909-? 1940
Italian movies were shown here.
Liberty
AKA: Art
1017 Broad
March 7th, 1921-1958
800 seats
In September 1931 there was a plot to destroy the
projector.
Looking Glass
Imperial
569 Westminster
1903-1912
1903-1912 Imperial
1913-1919 Colonial
1919-1922 Mayflower
1923-1931 Capitol
1932-1958 E.M. Loew's Capitol
50 Orchard
? 2000
Lothrop’s
AKA: Nickel, Providence Dime Museum, Keith's Gaiety, Olympic, Park
316 Westminster
dates unknown
Lyric
303 Westminster
March 10th, 1907-? 1910
Lyric
AKA: Nickel, Providence Dime Museum, Keith's Gaiety, Lothrop's, Olympic, Park
316 Westminster
? 1906-? 1910
7
Majestic
201 Washington http://www.trinityrep.com
April 9th, 1917-1973
2,149 seats
1930-1945 C & F Theater Company
1961-1973 RKO Stanley Warner
Modern
AKA: Playhouse, Victory
440 Westminster
1916-? 1937
* 1916 opened as Modern
* 1930-1935 owner: C & F Theater Company
* 1937 renamed Playhouse
*1940-1945 owner: Leiberman, Fred E., Circuit
* 1945 renamed Victory
* 1953 renamed Playhouse
Nickel
AKA: Nickel, Providence Dime Museum, Keith's Gaiety, Lothrop's, Olympic, Park
Mayflower
569 Westminster
1919-1922
1903-1912 Imperial
1913-1919 Colonial
1919-1922 Mayflower
1923-1931 Capitol
1932-1958 E.M. Loew's Capitol
Metropolitan
9 Chestnut
1932-1955
3,045 seats
Smith, Phil, Theatrical Enterprises owned this theatre
in 1945.
Olympic
AKA: Nickel, Providence Dime Museum, Keith's Gaiety, Lothrop's, Park
316 Westminster
dates unknown
Paramount
AKA: Strand
84 Washington Place
1930-1934
Mullins and Pinanski Theaters (Paramount-Publix)
owned this theatre.
8
Paris Cinema I & II
291 Weybosset
1969-? 1985
365 seats
Adult movies from the 1970’s until it closed.
Hallmark Releasing Corp. owned this theatre in 1975.
Pastime
AKA: Edisonia, Gem
1911 Westminster
? 1900
Playhouse
AKA: Modern, Victory
440 Westminster
1937-1945, 1953-1957
Smith, Phil, Theatrical Enterprises owned this
theatre.
Providence Dime Museum
AKA: Nickel, Providence Dime Museum, Keith's Gaiety, Lothrop's, Olympic, Park
316 Westminster
dates unknown
Providence Drive-In
N. Main at city limits
July 14th, 1937-? 1975
500 cars
E. M. Loews owned this drive-in.
Park
AKA: Nickel, Providence Dime Museum, Keith's Gaiety, Lothrop's, Olympic
316 Westminster
dates unknown
9
Providence Opera House
115 Dorrance
December 14th, 1871-March 4th, 1931
Royal
15 Olneyville Square
? 1915-1934
1,340 seats
Last owner: Smith, Phil, Theatrical Enterprises
Providence Place Cinemas 16
10 Providence Place
April 14th, 2000
4,100 seats
Owners:
2000-2003 Hoyt's Cinema Corp.
2003- National Amusements
Scenic
AKA: Rialto
121 Mathewson
1902-1919
Shipyard Drive-In
Allens Avenue
? 1958-? 1976
1,700 cars
Owners:
1958-1969 Rifkin, Herman, Theatres
1975 Theater Management Services
Rialto
AKA: Scenic
121 Mathewson
1919-1936
C & F Theater Company owned this theatre 19301935.
Rivoli
AKA: Columbia, Continental, Rivoli
589 Charles
? 1935
10
State
220 Weybosett
October 6th, 1928-? 1964
3,232 seats
This was owned by Loew’s. It is now the Providence
Performing Arts Center.
Star
155 Willard
dates unknown
Toy
1017 Broad
? 1915-? 1916
Strand
84 Washington Place
1915-1930, 1934-August 1978
2,083 seats
2 cinemas in the 1970's as a adult cinema.
Renamed Paramount 1930-1934
Union
AKA: Fay’s
60 Union
? 1912-? 1917
1,938 seats
Uptown
AKA: Columbus
270 Broadway
1929-? 1961
1,400 seats
Daytz Theatres owned this theatre 1955-1961.
Victory
AKA: Modern, Playhouse
440 Westminster
1945-1953
1,400 seats
11
VIP Luxury Cinema 2
311 Westminster
? 1980-1986
There was a "Straight and gay screen" in this adult
cinema.
Westminster
AKA: Bijou, Empire
368 Westminster
1915-? 1915
12
AUBURN
CENTRAL FALLS
? 1930-? 1964
Smith, Phil, Theatrical Enterprises owned this theatre
in 1964.
536 Dexter
1921-? 1955
600 seats
Margaret Theater Circuit owned it in 1930-1945.
Park
CENTERDALE
Bellevue
Casino
2050 Smith
? 1922-? 1924
Community
13 Waterman
? 1935-? 1955
700 seats
Affiliated Theaters Corp. owned this theatre in 1975.
Strand
1975 Smith
? 1924
Trahan
? 1930
Casino
708 Broad
1913-? 1929
Holiday
AKA: Lafayette
756 Broad
? 1960-? 1975
13
Lafayette
AKA: Holiday
756 Broad
? 1935-? 1955
700 seats
Affiliated Theaters Corp. owned this theatre 19501955.
Garden City Cinemas
151 Sockanossent Cross Road
1967-1986
1,000 seats
This was split into 2 bowling alley cinemas in 1972.
It was owned by General Cinemas.
CRANSTON
Auburn
? 1914-1918
Cranston Auto Drive-In
1400 Oaklawn
July 29th, 1948-1979
800 cars
Owners:
1950-1955 Affiliated Theaters Corp.
1975 Hallmark Releasing Corp.
Liberty
? 1930-? 1935
Palace
1526 Broad
1916-1952
804 seats
Smith, Phil, Theatrical Enterprises owned this theatre
1940-1945.
14
Park
848 Park
1924-2002
2 screens in the late 1980’s and 3 by 1995.
Park Cinema, an empty theatre on the corner of
Pontiac and Park Avenue in Cranston, will soon
reopen as an upscale dinner theatre and cyber coffee
shop. Owner Piyush Patel closed the cinema over
two years ago in hopes of refurbishing the city
landmark into a classier establishment.
The $1.3 million project will consolidate the three
individual theatres onto two-one smaller cinema for
an intimate dinner/theatre and a larger auditorium for
general movie viewing. Patel hopes to bring a
Mediterranean style menu to the dinner theatre. The
newly remodeled Park Cinema is scheduled to show
mostly foreign and independent films along with live
performances.
Construction is slated to begin this summer if the
owner can successfully win a bid for a liquor license.
Rainbo
390 Dyer
? 1940-? 1950
280 seats
Affiliated Theaters Corp. owned this theatre in 1950.
St. Mary's
? 1945-? 1945
EAST PROVIDENCE
Cinema 10
AKA: Four Seasons
60 Newport
? 19951995 owner: Hoyt’s Cinemas
2000 owner: Patriot Cinemas
2010 owner: Cinema Holdings
Four Seasons I-II-III-IV
AKA: Cinema 10
60 Newport
1970-? 1990
Esquire Theatres of America owned this theatre in
1980-1990
Hollywood
136 Taunton
? 1935-? 1955
950 seats
Lyric
AKA: Odeon
19 Maple
? 1935-? 1955
Owners:
1945-1950 Affiliated Theaters Corp.
1955 Daytz Theatres
15
Odeon
AKA: Lyric
19 Maple
1923-? 1930
Town Hall
? 1935
GREENVILLE
Apple Valley Cinemas
445 Putnam Pike
? 1970-November 24th, 2010
Expansions
1970 3 cinemas
Late 1980’s 4 cinemas
1993 8 cinema
Owners:
1993-2006 National Amusements
Jan 19 2007-2010 Trademark Cinemas
Trademark Cinemas was evicted for not paying
$130,000 in back rent.
This is a rare National Amusements theatre that was
taken over by someone else.
HARRISVILLE
Assembly Hall
26 E. Avenue
1934-? 1975
254 seats
In 1975, the theatre stopped admitted unescorted
teens into the theatre due to the drug dealing,
vandalized the bathrooms etc. This is now a live
theatre.
JOHNSTON
Cinema 6 Twin
AKA: Jerry Lewis, Johnston Cinema
1530 Hartford Av.
? 1977-? 1978
Hindy Drive-In
? 1950
Italy Cinema
Diamond Hill
Putnam Av.
? 1928-? 1935
AKA: Johnston
Atwood and Plainfield St.
? 1960-? 1970
350 seats
16
Jerry Lewis
AKA: Cinema 6 Twin, Johnston Cinema
LINCOLN
Johnston
622 George Washington Highway
November 18th, 2005CinemaWorld owns this cinema.
1530 Hartford Av.
? 1971-? 1974
AKA: Italy Cinema
Lincoln Mall 16
Atwood and Plainfield St.
? 1945-? 1955
350 seats
Johnston Cinema
AKA: Cinema 6 Twin, Jerry Lewis
1530 Hartford Av.
? 1975-? 1990
Adult movies were shown here. It was owned by
Hallmark Releasing Corp. in 1975.
Johnston Drive-In
? 1961-? 1964
Myrtle
Lincoln Mall I,II,III & IV
622 George Washington Highway
1975-? 1998
General Cinemas owned this theatre.
1361 Plainfield
1919-? 1940
200 seats
Pike Drive-In
Hartford Av
? 1950-? 1975
Rifkin, Herman, Theatres owned this drive-in 19611969.
17
LONSDALE
NORTH SMITHFIELD
1775 Lonsdale
? 1961-? 1995
1,800 cars
2 screens in the late 1960’s.
Owners:
1955 Affiliated Theaters Corp.
1975 Hallmark Releasing Corp.
Adult movies in the late 1970’s.
AKA: Rustic Tri-Vue Drive-In
Lonsdale Drive-In
Rustic Drive-In
1193 Eddie Dowling
1951-? 2000, 20073 screens in 1988
Adult movies were shown 1971-1986.
Owners:
1955 Affiliated Theaters Corp.
1975 Hallmark Releasing Corp.
MANVILLE
Bijou
Winter St.
Silent era
Central
85 Central
? 1940-? 1950
600 seats
Maple Hall
? 1935
18
OLNEYVILLE
PAWTUCKET
1849 Westminster
1926-? 1955
Loew’s E. M. owned this theatre.
30 Broad
? 1920-? 1925
Olympia
Bijou
Boy's Club
53 East
? 1935-? 1955
800 seats
Broadway
AKA: Circle
514 Broadway
1935-1959
503 seats
Royal
? Westminster
? 1935-? 1950
1,300 seats
Loew’s E. M. owned this theatre.
PASCOG
Music Hall
? 1930-? 1935
Star
130 Pascog Main St.
? 1930-? 1961
412 seats
Daytz Theatres owned this theatre 1955-1961.
Capitol
156 Main
? 1930-? 1955
Loew’s E. M. owned this theatre 1930-1945.
Center
144 Roosevelt
? 1950-? 1955
1,293 seats
Loew’s E. M. owned this theatre.
Circle
AKA: Broadway
514 Broadway
1928-1934
Markell Amusement Company owned it in 1930.
Crown
N. Roosevelt
dates unknown
Darlton
810 Newport
1940-1977
901 seats
Hallmark Releasing Corp. owned this theatre in 1975.
19
Fairlawn
Pussycat
561 Smithfield
? 1941-? 1975
800 seats
1945 owner: Levenson Circuit
1950: Strand Theaters
561 Smithfield
? 1969-1970
This theatre stopped showing adult movies in March
1970 when the theatre had to pay $100.00 for each
showing of an adult film.
AKA: Roxy, Starcase Pawtucket, Town & Country Cinema
Globe
175 Main
? 1920-? 1935
Publix Theaters Corp. owned this theatre in 1930.
AKA: Fairlawn, Roxy, Starcase Pawtucklet, Town and County Cinema
Roxy
AKA: Fairlawn, Pussycat, Starcase Pawtucket, Town & Country Cinema
561 Smithfield
1970
Star
126 N. Main
1908-1929
Starcase Pawtucket
AKA: Fairlawn, Pussycat, Roxy, Starcase Pawtucket, Town & Country Cinema
561 Smithfield
? 1975-? 1977
Strand
35 East Av.
? 1921-? 1964
1,900 seats
Imperial
61 Broad
Feb 21st, 1916-1938
Le Roy
66 Broad
May 1st, 1923-1978
2,445 seats
Music Hall
229 Main
1880-1936
1,700 seats
Loew’s E. M. owned this theatre 1930-1935.
Town & Country Cinema
AKA: Fairlawn, Pussycat, Roxy, Starcase Pawtucket,
561 Smithfield
? 1980-? 1982
Prov-Paw Drive-In
? 1969-? 1980
20
SMITHFIELD
WOONSOCKET
Route 295 and 44
? 1955-? 1985
400 cars
Owners:
1955 Affiliated Theaters Corp.
1964-1969 Daytz Theatres
1975-1985 Esquire Theatres of America
273 Main
? 1910-? 1950
870 seats
Publix Theaters Corp. owned this theatre in 1930.
Rt. 44 Drive-In
Bijou
THORNTON
Ferri Casino
? 1935-? 1940
VALLEY FALLS
Lincoln
? 1950
500 seats
Mayfair
Cinema IV
2000 Diamond Hill Road
1973-? 1985
Cinemette Corporation of America owned this
theatre. It had one screen.
334 Broad St.
? 1935
Roosevelt
? 1940-? 1945
Affiliated Theaters Corp. owned this theatre in 1945.
WEST GLOCESTER
Cold Springs Theatre I & II
? 1980-? 1995
B. L. Nutter Theatres owned this theatre.
21
Laurier
17 Cumberland
1920-? 1955
1,000 seats
Owners:
1930 Publix Theaters Corp.
1950-1955 Affiliated Theaters Corp.
Olympia
AKA: Strand
40 Main
? 1935-? 1950
875 seats
Affiliated Theaters Corp. owned this theatre in 1950.
Stadium
329 Main www.stadiumtheatre.com
1926-? 1990
1,000 seats
Owners:
1930-1933 Publix Theaters Corp.
1933-1949 Mullins and Pinanski Theaters
(Paramount-Publix)
1949-1955 New England Theatres (Pubix Paramount)
This is now a live theatre.
Park
AKA: Woonsocket Opera House
37 N Main
1913-? 1950
1,257 seats
Strand
40 Main
? 1918-? 1930
Rialto
41 Main
? 1918-? 1950
800 seats
Walnut Hill Cinemas 3
January 29th, 1971-? 1980
700 seats
Owners:
1975 Cinemette and Morgan American Management
Corp.
1980 Cinemette
Woonsocket 8
1900 Diamond Hill
November 17th, 1989-2000
22
Woonsocket Opera House
AKA: Park
37 N Main
1888-1913
23
BRISTOL COUNTY
BRISTOL
Bristol Cinemas
AKA: Pastime
91 Bradford
? 1990-? 1998
2 screens in the late 1980’s and 3 by 1998.
Lyric
WARREN
Capitol
26 Market St
? 1925-? 1928
This 2nd floor theatre was the hall of Cercle Jacques
Cartier, an Quebecoise benevolent and fraternal
society. It is now a live theatre called 2nd Story
Theatre.
? 1925-? 1930
Pastime
AKA: Bristol Cinemas
91 Bradford
? 1912-? 1985, ? 2000-2003
600 seats
3 cinemas by 2000.
Lyric
5 Warren
? 1935-? 1955
800 seats
Star
537 Hope
? 1916-? 1922
24
KENT COUNTY
APPONAUGH
Luna Hall
? 1935
Odeon
Roberts St.
? 1945-? 1950
West Warwick Theater Company owned this
theatre.
Rainbow
? 1940
ARCTIC
Gem
1231 Main
? 1935-? 1950
650 seats
West Warwick Theater Company owned this theatre
1940-1950.
Majestic
Washington and Main
? 1935-? 1950
West Warwick Theater Company owned this theatre
1940-1950.
Palace
AKA: Playhouse 85
85 Washington
1921-1960, 1972-? 1980
1,000 seats
West Warwick Theater Company owned this theatre
1940-1950.
Adult movies started in 1972.
Closed 1960-1972
Admission in 1972 was $5.00, which included a live
adult show and a full length porno movie.
Playhouse 85
AKA: Palace
85 Washington
? 1985-? 1990
CONIMICUT
Gem
? 1935
Highlight
? 1935
25
EAST GREENWICH
Greenwich
59 Main
1926-1990
626 seats
Owners:
1935-1940 Smith, Phil, Theatrical Enterprises
1950 Affiliated Theaters Corp.
This reopened as a live theatre called Greenwich
Odeum.
Kent
495 Main
? 1950-? 1985
800 seats
Opened during WWII as a USO club. 3 cinemas in
1970.
Star
148 Main
1909-? 1910
Hilltop Drive-In
Post Road at Grand View
? 1961-1986
500 cars
OAKLAND BEACH
Midway
830 Oakland Beach Road
? 1938-? 1955
350 seats
Affiliated Theaters Corp. owned this theatre in 1955.
Scenic
830 Oakland Beach Road
? 1935-? 1938
26
RIVER POINT
Thornton's
1003 Main
? 1901-? 1950
922 seats
West Warwick Theater Company owned this theatre
1940-1950.
Showcase Cinemas Warwick Mall
12
400 Bald Hill Rd
? 2000National Amusements owns this 12-screen cinema.
Showcase Cinemas Warwick
WARWICK
Cinema Grill 3
? 1998-2000
1200 Quaker
1983Expansions:
1983 8 cinemas
Early 1990’s 12 cinemas
Late 1990’s 20 cinemas
National Amusements owns this cinema.
Jerry Lewis
AKA: Limelight, Meadowbrook
2452 Warwick
? 1971-? 1975
Limelight 3
AKA: Jerry Lewis, Meadowbrook
2452 Warwick
2000-April 22nd, 2001
Meadowbrook
2452 Warwick
? 1980-2000
3 cinemas in the early 1980’s.
Midland Cinema
400 Bald Hill Rd
? 1975-1984
This had shown mostly foreign and specialized
product. It was unable to bid for the major movies as
it opened with only 16mm projection. It is now a
store.
27
Warwick Cinema
780 Post Road
1964-? 1980
Owners:
1964-1973 Fox Eastern Theatres (National General
Theatres)
1973-1980 Mann Theatres of California.
Warwick Mall Cinema
400 Bald Hill Rd
1971-1999
2 cinemas in the early 1970’s and 3 in the early
1980’s. It was owned by General Cinemas.
28
NEWPORT COUNTY
JAMESTOWN
Jamestown
34 Narragamsett
? 1955-? 1970
Palace
34 Narragamsett
1921-? 1950
250 seats
MIDDLETOWN
Esquire Cinema I & II
? 1975
Hallmark Releasing Corp. owned this theatre.
Holiday 6
AKA: Island Cinemas 10
105 Chase Lane
? 1995-2007
Island Cinemas 10
AKA: Holiday 6
866 West Main Road
2007-
Jerry Lewis
AKA: Starcase Triple
LITTLE COMPTON
Sakonot
? 1935
1346 W Main
? 1971-? 1973
Newport Drive-In
? 1964-? 2000
Owners:
1964-1969 Daytz Theatres
1975-1985 Esquire Theatres of America
1990-2000 Melrose Associates, Inc.
Starcase Triple
AKA: Jerry Lewis
1346 W Main
? 1975-? 1990
Starlight Twin Drive-In
Aquidneck Avenue and E. Main
? 1980-? 1990
Melrose Associates, Inc. owned this theatre in 1990.
29
NEWPORT
Bijou
192 Thames
? 1908-? 1925
Colonial
144 Thames
1911-? 1940
Owners:
1930 Yamins' Theatrical Enterprises
1935 Levenson, J. Circuit
1940 Loew’s E. M.
Casino
Freebody St.
1880
This is now the International Tennis hall of fame.
Empire
? 1908
Family Drive-In
? 1955-? 1969
Jane Pickens
AKA: Strand
49 Touro
? 1990-
30
Newport
? 1920-? 1925
Opera House
19 Touro
? 1930-2010
1,100 seats
3 cinemas in the late 1980’s.
Entertainment Cinemas owned this theatre in 2005.
Paramount
22 Broadway
1929-? 1961
1,150 seats
1935 owner: Mullins and Pinanski Theaters
(Paramount-Publix)
1940 owner: Shea Theater Corp, which sold it to E.
M. Loew
1955-1961 owner: Zeitz Bros. Circuit.
Star
134 Thames
? 1908
31
Strand
AKA: Jane Pickens
49 Touro
? 1925-? 1975
800 seats
Owners:
1925-1933 Publix Theaters Corp.
1933-1949 Mullins and Pinanski Theaters
(Paramount-Publix)
1949-1969 New England Theatres (Pubix Paramount)
1975 Hallmark Releasing Corp.
PORTSMOUTH
Island
TIVERTON
Ponta del Goda Drive-In
70 Shove
1950-1982
750 cars
Owners:
1961-1969 Rifkin, Herman, Theatres
1975 Hallmark Releasing Corp.
1980-1985 Theater Management Services and Fall
River Theatres Corp.
This drive-in was banned from showing X-rated
movies in 1971 after the movies were visible from
outside the drive-in.
? 1955-? 1964
Yamins, Nathan, Theatrical Enterprises owned this
theatre.
Seaconnect
? 1935
32
WASHINGTON COUNTY
BLOCK ISLAND
Empire
17 Water
? 1935500 seats
Mini Theatres owned this theatre 1998-2005
This old theatre with wooden seats and no air
conditioning was closed 1986-1992 and renovated
with an upscale design.
HOPE VALLEY
Barber's
1081 Main
1864-? 1930
Movies started in 1917, Miller, John W., Jr. owned
this theatre in 1930.
Strand
1081 Main
? 1935-? 1950
Miller, John W., Jr. owned this theatre in 1935.
Oceanwest
134 W. Side Road at Champlin's Marina
? 1998175 seats
This theatre is opened on a part-time basis. Some
plays are performed here.
NARRAGANSETT PIER
Casino
Ocean Road
? 1915-1967
500 seats
BRADFORD
Braddock Hall
? 1930
Miller, John W., Jr. owned this theatre.
Bradford
? 1935
Miller, John W., Jr. owned this theatre.
33
Pier
3 Beach
1967-? 2004
Owners:
1975-1980 Esquire Theatres of America
1985 Esquire Theatres of America and Brandt
Theatres of New York
3 screens in the early 1980’s
1990-2004 Mini Theatres
Peacedale Opera House
October 26th, 1921-? 1940
Scenic
? 1930
Miller, John W., Jr. owned this theatre.
NORTH KINGSTOWN
Quansett Drive-In
Route 1 near the naval base entrance
? 1955-? 1980
350 cars
SHANNOCK
Memorial
? 1935
Miller, John W., Jr. owned this theatre
Town Hall
? 1930
Miller, John W., Jr. owned this theatre.
WAKEFIELD
Campus
Wickford
90 Phillips
May 8th, 1942-? 1950
265 seats.
Affiliated Theaters Corp. owned this theatre in 1950.
AKA: New Campus
17 Columbia
? 1969-? 1995
Owners:
1969-1985 Esquire Theatres of America
1990-1995 Melrose Associates, Inc.
PEACEDALE
Peacedale
516 High
1930-? 1959
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Community
Columbia St.
1882-? 1961
625 seats
Owners:
1945-1950 Affiliated Theaters Corp.
1955-1961 Daytz Theatres
WESTERLY
Bliven Opera House
100 Main
1884-? 1925
New Campus 3
AKA: Campus
17 Columbia
1998-2003
625 seats
Melrose Associates, Inc. owned this theatre.
Opera House
17 Columbia
1888-? 1935
Miller, John W., Jr. owned this theatre 1930-1935
South Kingstown 10
60 Newport
2002Entertainment Cinemas owns this cinema.
Central
43 W Broad
? 1930-? 1955
662 seats
Pouzzner, Morris, Circuit owned this theatre in 1945.
Jerry Lewis
AKA: Westerly Cinemas
142 Granite
? 1971-? 1980
Lyric
? 1935-? 1940
Pouzzner, Morris, Circuit owned this theatre in 1940.
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Revival House
42 High St.
? 2005-June 24th, 2007
This was a bar-lounge that shown DVD's on a pulldown screen.
Westerly Cinemas
142 Granite
? 1990-2000
3 cinemas in the late 1980’s and 4 by 1995.
Hoyt’s owned this cinema.
United
11 Canal
January 18th, 1926-1986
974 seats
Westerly Drive-In
Post Road
1948-1987
500 cars
Westerly I & II
? 1985
Brandt Theatres owned this theatre.
WICKFORD
Mathewson Hall
Westerly
? 1930-? 1930
? 1930-? 1935
Miller, John W., Jr. owned this theatre in 1935
Music Hall
? 1930-? 1935
328 listings
2009.07.24
Rhode Island movie theatres by Mike Rivest
www.movie-theatre.org
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