Life of one Theater

The Monica Theatre opened in the late 1930's with a seating capacity of 638 on one level (no balcony). It was a regular local neighborhood movie theatre to begin with, screening general release movies. A few of the film that have been screened at this neighborhood cinema were:
(Feb. 11, 1948)
John Garfield Lilli Palmer in
"Body and Soul"
Monica, Los Angeles

(Sept. 7, 1958)
Julien Duvivier's latest supspense hit, "Deadlier Than the Male," opens an exclusive Los Angeles engagement Friday at the Monica Theater. "Law and Disorder," a British crime thriller starring Michael Redgrave, Robert Morely, Ronald Squire and Lionel Jeffries, is the companion feature.

(Nov. 25, 1958)
As the result of a survey conducted among the patrons of Sunset and Monica Theaters a series of foreign films has been booked for preholiday showings. The opening program, starting tomorrow at both theaters, will be Gina Lollobrigida and Gerard Philipe, "Beauties of the Night," directed by Rene Clair, and "Fan Fan the Tulip," with Gerard Philipe in the title role.

(March 1, 1959)
The prize-winning Swedish film, "The Seventh Seal, has been held over at the Monica Theater and the opening of "Forbidden Fruit," starring Fernandel and Francoise Arnoul, has been postponed until Friday.

During the 1960's it went over to 'art house' programming.

(March 1, 1965)
COURT RULES FILM NOT OBSCENE
BACHELOR TOM PEEPING
ADULTS ONLY
2nd Big Hit!
Brigitte Bardot
"Strip-Tease"


When this Arthouse concept failed it was taken over by the Pussycat chain and became a straight porn theatre in the 1970's and was re-named Pussycat Theatre.

During the early-mid 1970's, this theater (along with the Pussycat in Buena Park aka the Grand) was Pussycat's premiere showhouse. Porn films for the Los Angeles area would premier here and play at this theater(and Buena Park) first before filtering through to the rest of the Pussycat chain. Unusual (for porn theater standards) was that during this period, there were also no double bills. Also, the films often would have multiple month runs instead of weekly changeovers. Other notable porn films that premiered here: Devil in Miss Jones, Private Afternoons of Pamela Mann, Naked Came the Stranger, Opening of Misty Beethoven

This would largely change in 1977, when business dropped due largely to the LA Times new policy of no longer carrying advertisements for X-rated films. Pussycat had spent over $1 million a year advertising in the LA Times alone. Business dipped by over 10% as a result. Both this theater and Buena Park would become like most any Pussycat theater, showing double bills. It had lost its "uniqueness". PUSSYCAT THEATRES began in Los Angles in the late 1960s. Vincent Miranda proved that a business that carried a nasty reputation could be ran with style and honesty. All of the 47 California theatres were beautifully renovated, decorated in rich velvets, and adorned with gold chandeliers. The lobbies shared the worlds largest collection of nude oil paintings. The theatres were kept impeccably clean and in perfect working order. With this being the Flagship of the porn chain below the marquee in cement are the hand and foot prints of famous Adult Film Stars. These imprints have endured thru decades of city mandated "street improvements".

With the demise of the Pussycat chain it went over to showing gay male porn, being re-named Tomkat Theatre and most recently STUDS.


MONICA
7734 Santa Monica Blvd.