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Star Theater

342 State Street

The Star Theater

Built in about 1917 by A.C. Gordon, the ‘Star’ was originally known as the ‘Wheaton Theater’, a small forum for traveling dramatic troupes. Gordon put a movie screen in and changed the name to the ‘Star Theater’ when he purchased the building

In 1939, Bruce Gordon gave it a $40,000 an Art Deco style remodeling, which still can be seen today on its recently repainted exterior and marquee.

Since 1997 it has been home to the Illustrious Onion Skin Players, formed in 1985, who have returned it to its roots. The Players purchased the 600-seat Star Theater in 2001 and have been kept busy restoring the building. The 400 downstairs vintage seats are being reupholstered and patrons are invited to become a chair holder with their name on a plaque. The balcony, which used to seat about 200, is used now for lighting equipment and there are many other structural changes that have been helped by donations from the community. The Weiser Signal American says that as their budget allows the players plan on other modern amenities such as handicapped accessible restrooms and they may be open to the use of the Star for films and other performing groups.

During the first three full weekends in March the Players put on a 1890’s style melodrama that draws its actors from the open auditions held in December. These musical melodramas portray the history and individuals of Weiser and the Treasure Valley. Each ticket holder is promised “A humorous, fast-paced evening of a melodrama, sing-a-longs and songs from the late 1800’s through the 1940’s”.

The Star Theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

From Cinema Treasures

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(Click Image for Enlargement, if available)
The Star Theater was first located in the Castle Building, pre 1917

The Star Theater has celebrated 84 years of memories for at least 4 generations of local residents who recall Saturday cowboy matinees, the smell and flavor of greasy popcorn and holding hands in the dark. The ‘show house,’ a landmark at the corner of South State Street and East Idaho Streets continues to be a gathering place for local families.

Built in about 1917 by A.C. Gordon, the ‘Star’ was originally know as the ‘Wheaton Theater’, a small forum for traveling dramatic troupes. Gordon put a movie screen in and changed the name to the ‘Star Theater’ when he purchased the building.

Gordon kept the stage and the dressing rooms located in the basement area of the theater intact, it was the silent movies with a piano player that brought the crowds in. Gordon eventually built a second theater, ‘The Mayfair‘. Gordon said during the Great Depression era of the 1930’s they would have Keno and Penowin game nights in the theater, giving away dishes and the likes.

Roy Rogers made personal appearances in Weiser, barnstorming and promoting his movies. Rogers was a close friend of the Gordon’s. The ‘Star’ was also used for Vaudeville shows in the evening. Will Rogers gave one of his great performances on the stage of the ‘Star’.

In 1939 Bruce Gordon, son of Howard and wife Velma, who had sold the theater to their son, renovated the Star Theater. The 1939 grand re-opening of the ‘Star’ was one of Bruce’s most vivid memories. His parents had undertaken a large-scale renovation of the theater, approximately $40,000.00, adding such expensive items as tapestry wall coverings and a marquee, both of which are still in use today.

One of the first shows after the grand re-opening was for the premier of ‘Gone With the Wind,’ and it was a sellout overflow crowd.

Bruce’s father, Howard, died in 1942, leaving Bruce and mother Velma to carry on with the family theater.

From Flickr

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If you have questions about this page, want to start or join a discussion about it, or add new information, please visit our Facebook Group, “Weiser Area Memories.”

Also See Mayfair Theater
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