Star Auto Theatre
1080 N. Shoop Avenue,
Wauseon,
OH
43567
1080 N. Shoop Avenue,
Wauseon,
OH
43567
4 people
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Only the ramps remain sadly.
Richard Wyse probably bought the Star after seeing this “Theatres For Sale” ad in the Jan. 4, 1960 issue of BoxOffice: “In Northwestern Ohio beautiful drive-in including approximately 10 acres of land. Owner retiring. Contact D. Lee McLain, Route 2, Wauseon, Ohio.”
Above address does not map properly. Use 1092 North Shoop.
I was there the final Saturday night. Boy did the place fill fast when word got around that it was the last show. Cars were parked up against the fence and many turned away. I bet they had second thoughts about closing after that crowd showed up.
They finally removed the screen which had stood (in various forms)) since 1952. It was very sad to see it go.
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
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.
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.
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."
Lost Memory…How did you have a picture of the screen submitted? Since it shows the add photo is offline.
I have been doing some more research And I found that a Mr. D.L. McLain was the manager when the Theatre was opened in 1952. Mr. McLain also had another Drive-In and thst was in Morenci, Michigan. It was called the Skyline Drive-In.