Route 44 Drive-In

Putnam Pike and I 295,
Smithfield, RI 02917

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Affiliated Theatres

Nearby Theaters

Route 44 Drive-In

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

Recent comments (view all 16 comments)

nritota
nritota on December 23, 2008 at 7:48 pm

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.

jimstuder
jimstuder on January 12, 2009 at 3:25 am

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.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on November 27, 2009 at 8:08 pm

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.

CDAtri
CDAtri on November 25, 2013 at 5:24 pm

It sat exactly where the cloverleaf for the Rt 44 and 295 is now.

blu_tango
blu_tango on July 6, 2014 at 5:54 am

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

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on July 6, 2014 at 7:48 am

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!!

blu_tango
blu_tango on July 7, 2014 at 1:59 am

It seemed similar, but finally I discovered it was a different one, called Sutton motor-in.
Thanks anyway!
d

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on July 7, 2014 at 6:01 am

blu_tango would you be interested in posting your pictures on the Sutton Page?

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/7800

blu_tango
blu_tango on July 7, 2014 at 6:08 am

Did it! (It’s an art project, so I was just able to put the framed photos)

rivest266
rivest266 on June 7, 2024 at 6:43 am

The Route 44 Drive-In opened with “the largest screen in southern New England” on August 27th, 1952. Grand opening ad posted.

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