Studs at the Pussycat Theatre
7734 Santa Monica Boulevard,
West Hollywood,
CA
90046
7734 Santa Monica Boulevard,
West Hollywood,
CA
90046
10 people
favorited this theater
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
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
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Recent comments (view all 108 comments)
Reopened as Left Bank on August 30th, 1968. Another ad posted.
Motion Picture Herald, Jan. 5, 1952: “Leo Hershon and Saul Fruchtman have sold the Monica theatre to Bob Schwartz and Jack Hendricks."
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).
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/
Bare bones? Pun intended? :X
Has anything been done to buy this or return it to the original “Monica” status?
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.
The rent increases affected both the Nob Hill (2018) and Tea Room (2016) theatres in SF effectively shuttered those theaters also… 😔😔😔
The building is still standing. The hand and foot prints from adult film icons like Georgina Spelvin, Kay Parker, Eric Edwards & John Holmes are still in tact in front of the building.
YouTube video from Feb 2025 shows the building and outside - no signwork about any sales..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgeGMOdI5ro
I pass by the theatre weekly. Aside from replacing some glass following an attempted break-in, there has been no activity at the site. Unfortunately, the exterior is beginning to look a little worse for wear due to the neglect. While it was listed for a few months following the closure, the property has been “off market” since the spring of 2023.