Pussycat Theatre

1653 Cravens Avenue,
Torrance, CA 90501

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Pussycat Theatres

Architects: Clarence Eugene Noerenberg

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Stadium Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Pussycat Theatre

The Stadium Theatre was opened in April 1949 screening William Bendix in “Life of Riley” & The Bowery Boys in “Fighting Fools”. It and was a popular movie house until the 1960’s when falling profits forced a switch to X-rated films. Renamed Pussycat Theatre on July 11, 1969 with “Starlet”, it remained opened until 1991 and has been decaying ever since.

Recently a group formed to raise enough capital to buy and restore the theatre, but the City Council approved a plan to demolish it and replace the old movie house with new condominiums.

The council had earlier been given the group sixty days to finalize their plans.

Supporters had begun to raise money for its purchase, but finances were never resolved and the council, without any other viable alternative, granted Michael Mulligan Development permission to demolish the theatre.

The Stadium Theatre, like many of the area’s old movie houses, will now join other ghosts of Southern California’s past.

Contributed by Cinema Treasures

Recent comments (view all 18 comments)

dennis906
dennis906 on April 5, 2006 at 9:40 am

Disney films played there in the 60’s. Ironic that it was turned into a porno house.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on October 2, 2007 at 7:46 am

Here is a February 1972 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/286ymq

JayAllenSanford
JayAllenSanford on August 8, 2008 at 8:54 am

New book-length Pussycat Theatre history from the San Diego Reader:
View link

KimF
KimF on August 8, 2008 at 9:12 am

Great article, JayAllen… Thanks!

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on April 5, 2010 at 7:20 pm

Heers another one!!!!

jazzfi
jazzfi on February 7, 2013 at 1:02 pm

It’d have been better if they’d have kept the AURORA lettering and just named it Pussycat on the marquee, rather than destoying the original history.. what a great design!

rivest266
rivest266 on August 5, 2016 at 8:21 am

July 11th, 1969 grand opening as Pussycat in photo section

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on March 20, 2019 at 9:10 pm

The Pussycat Theatre opened with “Starlet”.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 21, 2020 at 5:45 am

Opened in April 1949 with “Life Of Riley” starring William Bendix & Rosemary DeCamp, and “Fighting Fools” starring the Bowery Boys. Image added indicates Rosemary DeCamp was in person at the grand opening.

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