Movie drama at the Saco drive-in | News

SACO, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - Maine's original outdoor cinema, the Saco Drive In, came under new management last year and their new pricing structure has caused a problem with one movie studio.

Ry Russel and Sean Violette are in their second season leasing and managing the drive-in.

Russel said he grew up coming here and made a quick business decision as a USM Marketing student when he saw that the Saco drive-in was for lease.

Russel said he grew up coming here and made a quick business decision as a USM Marketing student when he saw that the Saco drive-in was for lease.

One of the first things he did was change the pricing.

"We thought it was easier on families, because we really wanted this to be a family oriented location, if we did a per carload pricing where families can be anywhere from 3 people to 7 people."

Russel said this pay structure works especially well when the theater shows newly released family friendly movies, like Madagascar 3 which is scheduled to show next weekend. However the makers of the movie, Paramount Pictures, are requiring a percentage of gross profits on a per person basis.

 If the Saco drive in decides to play Madagascar they'll be forced to charge 7 dollars per person, a car load of 7 that's 49 dollars. They currently only charge 15 dollars per car.

Russel says he is unwilling to make patrons pay, even if it means ditching the first G-rated movie of the season.

 "That's not something the Saco drive in stand for, we stand for a reasonable price for families."

And if Paramount Pictures is unwilling to budge, Russel says paying more money than the drive-in makes is bad business.

"So the theater would take a pretty significant hit over the time that movie was playing here."

Russel says they are hoping Paramount Pictures will make an exception for the Saco drive-in.

"The fact that its taken four days already means they're taking it seriously."

Russel said he grew up coming here and made a quick business decision as a USM Marketing student when he saw that the Saco drive-in was for lease.