Rhode Island on the silver screen

11/29/07 - So I've been told that Rhode Island sucks and that New Jersey is where it's at. I agree that Rhode Island can be lame at times, but there is always something that pops up and spices up our little New England towns. In recent years the Ocean State is becoming more popular with movie executives as the first-choice location for films. We all know that Bruce is the best thing out of Jersey, but here are some things that make our little state proud.

The Great Gatsby-1974

The Great Gatsby, starring Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby, uses Newport as a replica of 1920s Long Island. Multiple mansions on Bellevue Avenue were used as locations throughout the film.

Hammersmith Farm (Jackie Kennedy's parents' house) is used in the film as Daisy's house. The exterior of Rosecliff is used as Gatsby's house where the parties are held. Other mansions in the film are The Marble House, The Sherwood Mansion and The Breakers.

Jaws-1975

Rhode Island isn't featured in the film, but there is a scene when the captain chugs a beer then crushes the can. Buts it's not just any beer, it's a Gansett.

Mystic Pizza-1988

Starring Julia Roberts, there is a scene in the film where Tim shows Kat around the house he is working on a house which is actually in Watch Hill.

Dumb and Dumber-1994

Directed by Rhode Island natives, the Farrelly brothers used Providence as the actual setting of the film. Local landmarks such as the Big Blue Bug and the old Gulf Station are featured in the movie. At one point, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are said to be leaving town, but with the direction they are going, they are actually entering Providence. The road trip scenes were filmed in surrounding towns Lincoln and Cumberland.

Amistad-1997

The film takes place in the 1830s, so Steven Spielberg basically put a bunch of dirt on the road and called it historic. Hope Farm, in Bristol, can be seen in the film along with the Rhode Island State House posing as the Capitol Building in D.C. Newport's Washington Square and the Colony House were used as the courtroom throughout the film.

Something About Mary-1998

This is another memorable film by the Farrelly brothers; this time Kennedy Plaza and Barrington High School are used.

Outside Providence-1999

This is the story of a true Rhode Islander, a stoner who is sent to a private school in Connecticut in the 1970s. The University of Rhode Island is the setting of the private school, and Plains Road was used as the road they walked down while hitchhiking. The exterior of Brown University can also be seen, along with the Larchwood Inn in Wakefield, which was used as the restaurant in the film.

Me, Myself and Irene-2000

Here we have yet another Farrelly brothers' film starring Carrey. This time Carrey is a Rhode Island state trooper, and scenes from Newport, Jamestown's Main Street and Great Island in Narragansett are used in the film.

Dan In Real Life-2007

This comedy featuring Steve Carrell and Dane Cook shows multiple snippets of Rhode Island throughout the film. The infamous Ocean Drive can be recognized, along with the Jamestown bridge. Alley Katz bowling in Westerly also makes its film debut in the movie.