Saco Drive-In

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.”

Renamed Saco Open Air on July 22nd, 1939.

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.

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.

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.

Mike is right that I’ve been going through so many of these that I started thinking that everyone knew all the abbreviations and notes of these books. My apologies, and thanks to DI54 for pitching in. The cryptic abbreviations (other than IMPA) are what appeared in the books, which provided different levels of detail in different yearly editions.

The numbers at the end are vehicle capacity. Some of them could get very specific, since a drive-in owner knew exactly how many in-car speakers he had to maintain. But the first “75-150” in the 1953-54 edition of the Motion Picture Almanac (not International yet) looked like a hand-altered “75-” added to a previously laid-out 150. Out of hundreds of drive-ins, there were probably fewer than a dozen hyphenated ranges listed. I’d say that it was surprising that this uncertain number hung on for two decades, but inertia was a powerful force for those Almanac folks. As DI54 implies, these references are informative but not definitive.

NeonMichael, I even put your post into Google translate, but I still can’t make heads or tails out of it. Care to elaborate…?

Just came from a few days at Ogunquit and made a special trip to this drive-in, and I am very pleased to report that the digital projection is effin' awesome!

This has to be the clearest and brightest drive-in presentation that I have seen in decades. It had the quality of a high-end hardtop. The screen is white and in great shape, with no noticeable flaws, and the sound was crisp and static-free.

X-Men looked sensational, even in the dark scenes, and the glossy Other Woman was as shiny as a new penny. (The movie itself was dreadful, but it sure looked swell on the big screen!)

This is how it should be done. Showmanship and professionalism it its best. Kudos to all involved.

Yes they have. Opening film for May 2 was Rio 2. The week after featured an independent horror film festival with live music.

Great News, Saco drive-in will get new digital projectors courtesy of Honda’s ProjectDrivein contest. Thanks for the Votes!

Is this an independent now?

No i did not work here. I found a 1956 Motion picture Almanac in the old Miller Theatre and sometimes i get it out to help with infO.However, I did work at my cousin’s drive in free of charge when i was 16 and spent a couple of weeks there. I actually made a CHANGE OVER when the Projectionists got sick and had to visit the toilet. I did not to too bad, It was HOMBRE with Paul Newman. Non-union booth in Forrest City, N.C.. I heard that Drive inhad just closed up about a year or so.