Anyone know where the phrase "B movie" came from?

[episodic]

Been curious for years - 1st time I've ever asked.

 

[Brutuskend]

Yes.

 

[Wanescotting]

varsity, junior varsity. You get the idea.

 

[nageov3t]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_movie

The term B-movie originally referred to a film designed to be distributed as the "lower half" of a double feature

as opposed to the A-list movies/actors that headlined.

 

[episodic]

I don't know why I don't turn to wikipedia more often. Is there anything not in it?

 

[rh71]

yeah it's because the popular actors are "A-list" ... so naturally ... B movies.

 

[jadinolf]

Problem is most "B" movies are "Z" movies.