What’s up, pussy cat?

When patrons enter the Regency Theatre, they are treated to an eyeful of provocative movie covers, most of which display erotic scenes that allude to the films’ triple-X content. For those anxious few who simply can’t wait to get a gander of some hardcore footage, Christine Cumbillas sells singles and couples tickets to the walk-in porn theatre. If the movies succeed in getting the “creative juices” flowing, one can purchase a number of items from the sex shop that might be useful in transforming a fantasy into a reality. The Regency was the first of its kind in the Sacramento area, and has for the past three decades provided voyeurs and experimentalists a means by which to satisfy their special cravings. Originally named the Pussy Cat Theatre, it has been operating in North Highlands for over 35 years, and there are plenty of enthusiastic connoisseurs who would love to see it operate for 35 more!

What services does the Regency provide?

We sell toys and movies. People can rent video cassettes and DVDs if they want to. We also have a theatre, complete with a snack bar.

Could movies like these be shown on cable?

No—it’s porn so probably not. Well, it would have to be shown on the porno channels. All the movies here, at the Regency, are triple-X.

What kinds of people come here?

There’s all different kinds coming through here. I would say that the crowd is pretty mixed. It depends on what day it is and what time of day it is. We get, early on during the day, older men and seniors. Late night, especially on Fridays from 9 to 12, we get tons of young people in their 20s, couples, single men and homosexual men. Some people come from as far away as Davis, Woodland and Lincoln.

Do you like working here?

Yeah—it’s OK, I guess.

Do some people seem to be embarrassed when they buy tickets or toys?

A lota’ couples are embarrassed to buy sex toys. Usually, it’s women who become the most embarrassed about it. Even some guys get a little bashful too, especially when they come to get help with increasing their performance, spicing up their sex life or keeping an erection. I try to help them out by giving a few suggestions. I usually recommend Spanish Fly or a cock ring.

How do you decide what movies to play?

The only movies that we play are heterosexual films with plots. That’s what most people want to see, it seems. We try to cater to our audiences. We play a lot of movies with younger women and familiar stars. Last week we played classics like The Devil and Mrs. Jones, Deep Throat and Behind the Green Door. Behind the Green Door was one of the first pornos to be shown in a California theatre when it played at the O’Farrell Theatre in San Francisco.

What are people allowed to do, while inside the theatre?

Nothing sexual. Anything considered sexual is prohibited. That’s grounds for indecent exposure: we get fined for that. We’ve had problems with that in the past. That’ll shut us down. I don’t want to come here and see a sheriff’s notice stuck to the front door because of what someone else did.

What is the best-selling toy?

I’d say mostly vibrators, lubricants and motion lotion. Things like that sell pretty fast.

What kind of movies are most often sold or rented out?

People seem to like teen movies. The schoolgirl looks seem to attract customers. Most customers like the women in the films to be relatively youthful. They like the movies where the women wear bobby socks and pig tails.

Have you ever caught anybody engaged in weird acts while inside the theatre?

We have. We don’t allow it though. There’s a no nudity or sexual activity policy here. That includes the parking lot because we’re responsible for that, too. If we see something going on in the parking lot, we’ll tell them to quit it. One night, sheriff’s deputies raided the theatre. Twenty-nine people got busted and went to jail for indecent exposure. That’s part of the reason why we have such a strict policy on oral sex and masturbation.

Do minors ever try to sneak in?

Yeah, but we ask to see IDs. If you look too young, we ask to see identification. They did it to me.

How does a person get a job here?

Really, you just apply. We look for people with cash handling skills and customer service experience. Also, applicants must be at least 18.

Great! Are you hiring?

We are—for security from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.