The Kosy Theatre — a night out at the pictures
The Blockhouse Bay Picture Theatre was built in 1925 on the site of the present Foodtown carpark. Ola Guttermorson acted as projectionist for the silent movies, while sisters Annie collected tickets at the door and Helga belted out the accompanying music on the theatre’s piano. The films were displayed on the white painted back wall of the theatre, and might be the latest epic or Charlie Chaplin’s latest farce.
Ola was not a very good projectionist and there were many awkward stops and starts. Patrons, especially the younger ones, became used to the unscheduled breaks and the local lads used to take out their frustration by throwing lolly papers at the poor pianist.