Ki sa ki Èske “B” Fim?
“B” films resulted from Hollywood distribution companies implementing a double bill or two movies screening strategy at theaters they owned. Lè Gwo Depresyon an te mennen spectateurs fim yo kòmanse renonsyasyon fim ant 1930 ak 1932, Hollywood studios, ki toujou kontwole pwodiksyon ak distribisyon, came up with the idea of showing two films back-to-back to give customers more bang for their buck.
Yon vwayaj tipik nan fim sa yo ki enplike wè yon desen ki pi ba, yon ti bout tan, a continuing weekly serial like Flash Gordon, a cheaper or formula film known as a “B” fim, ak karakteristik nan. Menm apre ekonomi an refè, viewers expected a three hour or more experience any time they went to the movies.
Toujou soti nan Mr. Wong nan Chinatown (1939)
Dapre Yon istwa pou Deskripsyon-an Film pa David A. Kwit, wout la “B” films were distributed left little financial risk for either the producer or distributor. It also created a much smaller profit margin.
Profits from a feature film were split between the producer and distributor with anywhere from a 60/40 to a 80/20 fann. “B” fim yo te lwe nan yon pousantaj plat. Dapre Kwit, bidjè a mwayèn pou yon “B” fim te $20,000, ki te tounen yon $3,000 to $4,000 pwofi.
Still from Tangled Destinies (1932)
Nan “B” films did produce several very popular series such as Charlie Chan, The Three Mesquiteers and Hopalong Cassidy, ki fè yo toujou popilè jodi a. Menm si yo te fè sou pi piti bidjè, the films were entertaining and still enjoy a following today.
Lè konpayi yo foto mouvman yo te fòse yo céder tèt yo nan chenn teyat ak espektatè i gou chanje apre 1949, bòdwo a doub ta vle chanje koulè nan istwa.
With little demand, nan “B” studios were forced out of business but they have left a legacy of cheap but entertaining films. Most of the films are available free in the public domain through sites like the Internet Archive.
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