Saco Drive-In
969 Portland Road,
Saco,
ME
04074
969 Portland Road,
Saco,
ME
04074
6 people
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Related Websites
Saco Drive-In (Official)
Additional Info
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Previous Names: Auto Drive-In, Saco Open Air Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
207.282.3112
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Jul 14, 2014 — Drive-ins face a digital future
The Auto Drive-In was opened on 15th July 1939 with Richard Tauber in “Forbidden Music”. On July 22, 1939 it was renamed Saco Open Air Theatre It was renamed Saco Drive-In from June 22, 1940 and became one of the oldest drive-ins in the U.S. still operating. This single screen drive-in had a capacity for 300 cars. It was closed on September 19, 2021 with Ryan Reynolds in “Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” & Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in “Candyman”. It was sold to a trailer dealer.
The Saco Drive-In operation was moved across the street next to the Aquaboggin Water Park.
Contributed by
Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 29 comments)
One more note – anyone interested in the history of the Saco should check out Camille M. Smalley’s 2014 book, The Saco Drive-In: Cinema Under the Maine Sky. It’s available in ebook and dead-tree versions at the usual places.
I’m heading up to the drive-in next week, does anyone know if the digital bulb is still as bright and clear as it should be? If they haven’t changed it since 2014 (as has happened at many locations, both hardtop and drive-ins) I will be disappointed…
Opened as Auto Drive-in on 15/7/1939 with “Forbidden music”. Name changed to Saco Drive-in(1950’s?). Won a digital projector in 2013.
Looking through some 1940 issues of The Exhibitor, it generally referred to the theater as the Saco Drive-In.
June 5: “Drive-In Saco is operating full blast although a steady seige of rainy weather hampered.”
July 3: “Saco Drive-In here opened June 22.”
Aug. 14: “Saco Drive-In, after changing hands, has closed.”
Sept. 18: “Saco Open Air is closed.”
The Saco Drive-In Theatre closed for the season on September 19, 2021 with “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” and “Candyman.” It was sold to a trailer dealer and did not reopen for the 2022 season.
Grand opening ad posted.
Renamed Saco Open Air on July 22nd, 1939.
The Saco Drive-In is in the process of moving across the street next to Aquaboggin Water Park
Boxoffice, April 17, 1948: “The Saco Drive-In, Saco, Me., which has the distinction of being the Pine Tree state’s only open air theatre, has been sold to Eugene Boragine of New York City. George O’Neill, who operated the theatre since it was built, returned it to its original owner last month, and he, in turn, sold it to Boragine. Included in the sale, which consists of 54 acres, is a hotel and restaurant. The new owner plans to operate the entire property, although the theatre buying and booking will be handled by Herbert Higgins. Boragine is in the interior decorating business in New York but he will spend the summer months on his new project. He is not a newcomer to the industry as 30 years ago he was the manager of a theatre in Providence for Martin Toohey, who brought his friend into the district to introduce him to the exchanges.”
This drive-in moved and has reopened.