Question: What is a B movie? Why are they important?
Thesis: B movies harbor so many idiosyncratic definitions and connotations. For me, a B movie is as much a question of aesthetic and spirit as it is budgetary constraints, want for acting talent, and poor effects. My contention is that any movie that relies upon fantastical genre elements and is unconcerned with pristine quality, whether that lack of concern be intentional or a consequence of budget, could potentially qualify as a B movie.
B cinema is important because of its strong effect on modern hollywood and the effect it has had on american culture.
What were B Movies and how have they evolved to my current definition
Within the industry, the term originally meant a low-budget quickie "destined for the bottom half of a double bill", but since the 1950's, when double features bit the dust, it's come to mean a low budget quickie, period.
Elements of an A Movie (Pre Jaws and Star Wars)
Genre: Comedy or Drama
Famous Actors
High Budget
Example: Casablanca
Elements of a B movie
Genre: Horror, Western, Film Noir, Sci-fi
Low Budget
Unknown Actors
Genre Mixing
Example: Attack of the Crab Monsters
Current Definition:
My contention is that any movie that relies upon fantastical genre elements and is unconcerned with pristine quality, whether that lack of concern be intentional or a consequence of budget, could potentially qualify as a B movie.
Effects on Modern Hollywood
Intro
B cinema has always had an important role in hollywood. The best way to examine the importance of B movies within the industry is looking at the king “Roger Corman”. His career exemplifies the importance of B cinema and how it shaped modern hollywood.
Roger Corman
He has produced 461 movies
His latest was "Sharktopus" for the Sci-fi channel
He also has an honorary oscar
Why is he important?
He was responsible for launching the careers of some of the most respected artists of our time: (Roger Corman School of Filmmaking)
Martin Scorsese
Ron Howard
Francis Ford Coppola
Joe Dante
Jack Nicholson
Peter Fonda
Dennis Hopper
James Cameron
He was one of the only people to work outside of Hollywood system and was actually successful.
He took risks and made movies about young people in a time when the big studios were too scared and stuck in their old ways.
The Intruder
Easy Rider
The Trip
School of Rock
Blaxploitation: Pam Grier
His ability to get the very best out of so little means is legendary. Even when his movies are outright terrible, there is usually still something of worth to be gleaned from them and he NEVER lost money on a picture.
4. Effects on American Culture
Most Popular B Movie: Rocky Horror Picture Show
To this day, nearly every city has a running performance, weekly or otherwise.
I think the reason it's survived as long as it has is that it incorporates so many elements of audience participation so any performance becomes a major event.
Other Popular ones: Troll 2, Evil Dead, The Room, Birdemic
Modern B Movies/Director who incorporate elements of B movies
Crank: Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor: Elements of Exploitation