Looking for the origin of a theatrical and movie term?

[AuntShecky]

Would any of our brilliant LitNetters happen to know the origin of the noun "heavy?" I know it's a synonym for "villain," but how did "heavy" come by that connotation for the bad guys in B-movie westerns and gangster movies?

[Maximilianus]

It seems the sense of "villain" dates back to somewhere around 1880, originating in the theatrical environment, probably in allusion to "heavy" being also a slang synonym for "unpleasant"... villains are supposed to be unpleasant, therefore this might be one reason for the link between "heavy" and "villain".

[OrphanPip]

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=heavy

Edit: Never mind, I misread, all it says is that use arises from 1880, max's guess is as good as any.

[Maximilianus]

I've just realized it can be used as a slang term to mean "doorman, bouncer or bodyguard". And in aviation heavy refers to a large multi-engined aircraft. Here: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/heavy

[Maximilianus]

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=heavy

Edit: Never mind, I misread, all it says is that use arises from 1880, max's guess is as good as any.
Thanks Pip. I also found that "heavy" (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/heavy) can be used to mean a sober, serious, somber or ennobled part in a drama, both as an adjective and noun in such case.