무엇인가 “B” 영화?

“B” films resulted from Hollywood distribution companies implementing a double bill or two movies screening strategy at theaters they owned. 대공황 사이에 필름​​을 삼가고 시작하는 영화 관객을지도 할 때 1930 과 1932, Hollywood studios, 여전히 통제되는 생산 및 유통, came up with the idea of showing two films back-to-back to give customers more bang for their buck.

A typical trip to the movies involved seeing a cartoon, a short, a continuing weekly serial like Flash Gordon, a cheaper or formula film known as a “B” 영화, and the feature. Even after the economy recovered, viewers expected a three hour or more experience any time they went to the movies.

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Still from Mr. 차이나 타운에있는 웡 (1939)

According to 내러티브 영화의 역사 by David A. Cook, the way “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 split. “B” films were rented at a flat rate. According to Cook, the average budget for a “B” film was $20,000, which turned a $3,000 에 $4,000 profit.

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Still from Tangled Destinies (1932)

Although some of the major and minor studios produced “B” 영화, a number of “빈곤 행” film distributors sprang up to meet the demand for “B” 영화. Some of the more famous “B” studios were Republic Pictures, Monogram Pictures and Producers Releasing Corporation (중화 인민 공화국).

The “B” films did produce several very popular series such as Charlie Chan, The Three Mesquiteers and Hopalong Cassidy, which are still popular today. Even though they were made on smaller budgets, the films were entertaining and still enjoy a following today.

When the motion picture companies were forced to divest themselves of theater chains and viewers tastes changed after 1949, the double bill faded into history.

With little demand, <스팬 bbox_x = "569"bbox_y = "682"bbox_w = "22"bbox_h = "21"fsize = "14"fweight = "6"빨간 = "255"녹색 = "255"블루 = "255"알파 = " “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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