Star Auto Theater
1150 North Shoop Avenue,
Wauseon,
OH
43567
1150 North Shoop Avenue,
Wauseon,
OH
43567
2 people
favorited this theater
Opened in 1952, this theater had an interesing story to it. The screen ran north and south, so the back was facing west, where some of the strongest winds come from. So consequently it was blown down, not once but it happenened twice. When it did it the second time, they put up a metal and steel one, and it was still standing in 2007, being demolished in April 2010. The theater had closed in 1999.
Contributed by
Jerry Rupp
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
Here is a 2008 photo.
Address given is 1150 North Shoop Avenue. Car capacity in 1980 was 250. Operator at that time was R. Wyse. If you want to see a photo of the drive-in on Google maps, use a lower number for the address such as 1100 North Shoop Avenue.
Lost Memory…How did you have a picture of the screen submitted? Since it shows the add photo is offline.
Jerry….It’s just a link to a photo that is located or stored on another site. You can post links to photos or links to other websites if you want. The add a photo is still not working.
From 1998: “Our Creature Feature this week is a double feature about skunks. And what better place than a drive-in movie theater to begin. The Star Auto Theater in Wauseon, Ohio is under siege by skunks drawn by French fries and snacks. The upshot, literally, is not conducive to amorous behavior by movie-goers in the back seat. "They let go their foul-smelling liquid and the smell drifts through the whole place,” said theater owner Robert Wyse."
The Star Auto Theatre closed on Saturday, September 18, 1999 after the final double feature (including “The Sixth Sense”) which drew 776 patrons. The reason for its sale was that the property was sold for $450,000 to a company called Star-Wauseon, according to then-assistant manager Ryan Wyse. Ten years later no development has taken place; the screenhouse still stands in good condition with letterboard intact but minus its two neon stars. Inside, the field is overgrown and the projection/concession building and speaker stanchions are gone.
I booked the Star Auto for several years and I’m sorry to see that it’s closed. The Wyse family were very nice to me – I dealt with Richard Wyse. For a small town theatre, they would gross very well with the right picture and Paramount, Warners, Universal, etc. branch managers were very keen on getting their films played there. They were one of the few small-town theatres where I could get first-run print on some releases because the did that much business. Well run operation.
If you would like any information about the theater, I would be happy to provide it. My name is Ryan Wyse and Richard was my grandfather. He owned it from 1960 to 1990 where my parents, Robert & Kristy Wyse, took over the business. We operated until 1999 when we closed the doors forever due to a buyout that my grandparents couldn’t refuse. Our drive-in held a capacity of 302 vehicles and were usually open from mid April until late Sept- mid October (depending on the weather). If you would like pictures or any other info on the Star Auto Theater, please feel free to email me
Sincerely,
Ryan Wyse
2009 photo of the Star Auto Theatre.
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They finally removed the screen which had stood (in various forms)) since 1952. It was very sad to see it go.