Studs at the Pussycat Theatre

7734 Santa Monica Boulevard,
West Hollywood, CA 90046

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Pussycat Theatres

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Monica Theatre, Monica International Theatre, left bank Theatre, Pussycat Theatre, Tomkat Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Pussycat Sign

The Monica Theatre opened on March 15, 1940 with Bette Davis in “The Old Maid”. On August 30, 1968 it became the left bank Theatre, screening Eva Renzi in “That Woman”. The venue has had many different incarnations but is best known for its days as a Pussycat Theatre which opened March 13, 1970 with Loray White in “The Notorious Cleopatra” & Vic Lance in “Weekend Lovers”. The Pussycat Theatre continued into the 1980’s.

It then became the Tomkat Theatre screening hardcore gay adult films for many years.

Today, as Studs at the Pussycat Theatre, it continues to show gay adult features, and was converted into a four-screen theatre in 2011. It was closed on October 29, 2022.

Contributed by William Gabel, Joe Vogel

Recent comments (view all 106 comments)

rivest266
rivest266 on September 19, 2019 at 3:52 pm

Opened as Monica on March 15th, 1940. Grand opening ad posted.

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on September 19, 2019 at 9:33 pm

Opened as Monica with “Old Maid”.

rivest266
rivest266 on October 31, 2019 at 4:43 pm

Reopened as Left Bank on August 30th, 1968. Another ad posted.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on October 9, 2021 at 9:56 am

Motion Picture Herald, Jan. 5, 1952: “Leo Hershon and Saul Fruchtman have sold the Monica theatre to Bob Schwartz and Jack Hendricks."

CTCrouch
CTCrouch on November 2, 2022 at 8:43 pm

The theatre closed on October 29, 2022. Citing an increase in rent, fluctuating business, and rising crime in the area, the owners chose not to renew their yearly lease back in August. As of 11/2, all of the branding has been removed and “for lease” signs hang from the building (the hand/footprint tiles remain in place).

CTCrouch
CTCrouch on November 3, 2022 at 12:39 am

Pictures from the theatre’s final days of operation depict a rather unique, bare bones, setup in the main auditorium.

https://wehotimes.com/x-rated-studs-at-the-pussycat-theater-in-west-hollywood-is-closing-october-29th/

Scott Neff
Scott Neff on November 3, 2022 at 4:18 pm

Bare bones? Pun intended? :X

CStefanic
CStefanic on April 26, 2023 at 9:51 am

Has anything been done to buy this or return it to the original “Monica” status?

CTCrouch
CTCrouch on May 4, 2023 at 11:14 pm

The “for lease” banners have been removed, the property is no longer listed on the corresponding real estate site, and a general commercial properties site categorizes the building as “no longer available”. So, something is afoot, but I haven’t been able to find any details as to what that might be.

Jamey_monroe45
Jamey_monroe45 on September 2, 2023 at 7:30 am

The rent increases affected both the Nob Hill (2018) and Tea Room (2016) theatres in SF effectively shuttered those theaters also… 😔😔😔

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