Black Lady/Slave #2 Theatre

naif · January 2008

I came across an interesting thread on the Bed-Stuy board in my search for sites of former movie theatres in the neighborhood.

http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=408453&sid=d0854d74bf9e46c882461116a79bac9d

Apparently, in addition to the historically significant Slave #1 Theatre on Fulton (The Regent, originally), John L Phillips Jr. also owned a movie theatre at 750 Nostrand Ave. As this is squarely in Crown Heights, I thought I'd see if anyone out there knows what might be going on with this space. I have also come across the address listed as an "anticipated foreclosure."

http://nycforeclosure.com/anticipated.htm

Finally, where I'm going with this: does anyone else think that the community could use a movie theatre, maybe one similar to the Cobble Hill Theatre?

justplainzach · January 2008

Definitely! I would LOVE that and would volunteer for sure!

homeowner · January 2008

The property is still empty, although I thought it too was on the list to be auctioned/sold by the estate. What happened to Judge Phillips is a shame and its so sad that these great instutions he tried to save will probably disappear anyway.

Not sure what kind of condition the building is in. Unlike the Slave 1 which was open and in use as late as the 90's, I don't think this theatre has been open at all since the mid 80's so I'm not sure what the state of the facility is at this point.

P.S. Word on the street is that there is some drug activity occuring in the theatre now, but that rumor hasn't been confirmed by anyone...

naif · January 2008

Hmmm.... I just realized that I've walked past the Black Lady dozens of times but always noticed the recording studio rather than the theatre. Also, the building definitely doesn't look like it was purpose-built as a theatre, so I wonder about the interior.

It really is a tragedy that has befallen Judge Phillips. I really hope that something appropriate can be done with his properties, particularly the Slave #1. It sort of adds insult to injury that 750 Nostrand has become a hotspot for drug activity.

Does anyone know any more history about the Black Lady Theatre or recording studio? I've done a little digging but can't find much.

rainbowpromises · January 2008

I would certainly volunteer for this as well. Should we organize a trip to look at the place, or this just fancy dreaming?

lilbangladesh · January 2008

I walked by it yesterday. There were some murals (though it looks like half of them were taken down) about uniting the African diaspora which came with an admonition to reserve judgment until you'd seen ALL the murals, the rest of which were downstairs in "Mom's basement" of the theatre.

It seems it definitely functioned as a community center. It'd be a shame to lose it.

naif · January 2008

rainbowpromises wrote: I would certainly volunteer for this as well. Should we organize a trip to look at the place, or this just fancy dreaming?

Maybe fancy dreaming, but I'm very happy to see the interest here, which was the purpose of the post. I certainly don't have the resources for such a venture personally, but maybe someone out there does...

On a lark the other day, I decided to contact the owner/manager of the Cobble Hill Cinemas via email and asked, very offhandedly, if they would open a theatre in Crown Heights. They responded, 'if there was a viable theatre to renovate i would consider it."

Also, switching gears a bit, I also know of a new arthouse theatre opening in Harlem in a new development. It will focus on films of the African diaspora and seems to have significant support. Maybe something like this would be appropriate, especially for the more grand Slave #1?

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/38988/art_house_cinema_to_open_in_harlem.html

homeowner · January 2008

The problem with both of these sites is that the estate is looking to sell at prices that only make teardowns/development possible in order for them to be economically viable. I seem to recall that the Slave #1 was on the market for $2mm. I assume that this theatre would have a similar price tag. There was a thread on the BS board a few months ago that had an article about the troubles with the estate. You may want to look for that as it had a lot of detail about how deeply in debt the estate was and what amount of money was needed to keep Judge Phillips from being completely destitute.

Would the estate be willing to rent the property out to someone who was willing to pay for renovation etc? Its possible, but I think that there are tax and other issues that might prevent that from happening.

lilbangladesh · January 2008

Well, barring that, I think it would be really cool and would definitely get traffic. And what with Nollywood running full blast now, there's no shortage of films!

lincolnannex · January 2008

This was published a week ago:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/05/nyregion/05judge.html?ref=todayspaper

lucille · January 2008

Wow. So incredibly sad. It would be a great tribute to Judge Phillips to get the theaters sold to someone interested in restoring them. I'd volunteer too.

lilbangladesh · January 2008

Well, at least they suspended the license of the bitch who boonswoggled him. I wonder if they'll go after the other three guardians who fleeced him.

ben · January 2008

anyone know who's handling the sale?

capt. planet · January 2008

rainbowpromises wrote: I would certainly volunteer for this as well. Should we organize a trip to look at the place, or this just fancy dreaming?

I was actually in the place about five years ago. As I recall it had a stage and stadium style seating. It must have been a lot of work because old timers tell me it used to be a Woolworth´s five and ten store.

The story I heard was that it never got used because the Judge couldn´t the building permit signed off. Apparently he had used some unqualified plumbers to put in the sprinkler system and couldn´get it to work.

I spent about an hour talking with the good judge several years ago. Very entertaining guy, with lots of good stories about the old days and his struggles to preserve his empire. Trouble is, he seemed more than a little confused, a lot paranoid and very secretive. Not a good combination and probably why he got so badly screwed by so many people.

naif · January 2008

I've managed to make contact with the good folks at Imagenation. While they don't seem to be in a position to help at this time, they are interested in the effort to save the theatre(s).

Does anyone have contact info for the community organization that is working on this in Bed-Stuy? Or the manager of the estate? If so, please PM me.

Many Thanks.

lilbangladesh · January 2008

Well, considering the number of people who have screwed him since retirement, I can't blame him for being paranoid and secretive!

capt. planet · January 2008

naif wrote: I've managed to make contact with the good folks at Imagenation. While they don't seem to be in a position to help at this time, they are interested in the effort to save the theatre(s).

Does anyone have contact info for the community organization that is working on this in Bed-Stuy? Or the manager of the estate? If so, please PM me.

Many Thanks.

Consider contacting Bed'Stuy Restoration, Colvin Granville. Also Debbie Howard at Pratt Area Community Council or Brad Lander at Pratt Community Development.

homeowner · February 2008

Bumping this thread to update folks on the rally that's occurring today...

http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40918

Black Lady/Slave #2 Theatre

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