Cozy Theatre

A “45 years ago–yesterdays In Billings” column in the Billings Gazette on August 12, 1966 said: “A new motion picture theatre will open in Billings September 8 (1921). It will be established at No. 14 North Twenty-Seventh Street and will be known as the Jazz Theatre.” Gazette archives show that the Jazz Theatre name remained until October 1924 when it was announced that it would be completely redecorated and renamed the Cozy Theatre. The new operation included a $13,000 pipe organ and a novel addition — a restroom for women. Manager M. Fregger said in his estimation this restroom would fill a “long-felt need.” About a thousand people entered the contest to rename the theatre and 12 people suggested “Cozy. “ A 12-year-old girl won the $25 prize after her name was drawn.

On August 28, 1926, the Gazette said that Mr. Fregger had purchased the Babcock Theatre, Regent Theatre and Lyric Theatre. This would make him the predominant theater owner in town. From then on the Cozy Theatre would become a second-run house. In May of 1927 Fregger, in a newspaper advertisement, announced that he was selling all equipment and fixtures from the Cozy Theatre and Babcock Theatre. The Babcock Theatre was closing temporarily for a major renovation and the Cozy Theatre closed until June when it opened under new management. It appears that the Cozy Theatre was closed for good by November of 1928 when Fregger was offering the Cozy Theatre for rent as a storeroom.

The demolition date is unknown, but today a modern building occupies the site.

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