The 60th anniversary of ABC's Play School is being celebrated with fond memories from Sydney residents.

According to Jack Dikian of Mosman, the iconic children's show was the only program where choosing between two windows felt like the biggest decision of his childhood. However, regardless of the window he picked, the showrunners would always ignore it anyway.

The nostalgia wasn't limited to Play School. Roger Hallett of Toowoomba recalled a stunt for a 1960s Sydney Uni Commemoration Day event that involved distributing a broadsheet newspaper to city commuters. The broadsheet featured the masthead of the Sydney Moaning Herald, complete with a Granny column and font. It also included a photo of the Sydney Harbour Bridge being towed out of the harbor on its way to New Zealand.

The era of 'the talkies' (as movie theaters were known) also holds a special place in the hearts of Sydney residents. Richard Payne of Urangan noted that the name of the cinema depended on where you lived. On Norfolk Island in the 1960s, Payne attended the Rawson Hall Talkies at Burnt Pine, where a screening of Mutiny on the Bounty led to heated audience participation.

Some residents even had nicknames for their local movie theaters. Helen Lewin of Tumbi Umbi remembered that her dad never went to the cinema, instead opting for the 'fleas and itches,' which would later become known as the 'Pic Flea House' in North Parramatta.

These memories are not just nostalgic; they also highlight the creativity and resourcefulness of Sydneysiders during wartime. John Dawson of North Parramatta shared that the Picture Show Palace was nicknamed 'The Fleahouse' by locals, and a tale of two fleas deciding what to do after the show was a popular joke.

John Crowe of Cherrybrook recalled his first movie experience as a child, watching a western starring Gene Autry at a small country town north of Toowoomba. However, the noise from the generator providing power to the projector nearly drowned out the singing cowboy's voice.

These stories are a testament to the resilience and spirit of Sydneysiders during wartime. They are also a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and sharing our collective memories with the next generation.

### Key Facts

  • ABC's Play School celebrated its 60th anniversary.
  • Sydney residents shared their wartime memories of the iconic children's show.
  • Movie theaters during the 1960s were known as 'the talkies.'
  • The name of the cinema varied depending on the location.
  • Residents had nicknames for their local movie theaters.