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Regarded as an animated sex symbol from the Depression era as she was a Flapper Girl reminder of the Roaring 20s
The wind blew up her skirt before Marilyn Monroe’s famous skirt scene
122 cartoon appearances
#17 TV Guide’s Greatest Cartoon Characters
Famous Tagline: “Boop-oop-a-doop”
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Created by Max Fleischer and Grim Natwick
First appearance Dizzy Dishes (August 9, 1930)
Last appearance Rhythm on the Reservation (July 7, 1939)
First voiced by Margie Hines, but voiced by four others in that decade
Most famously voiced by Mae Questel, who also voiced Betty in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and other appearances until her death (1998)
Fleishcer used jazz great Cab Calloway and his Minnie the Moocher hit in a 1932 short – so, here’s Calloway’s introduction and the song from the cartoon.
Originally appeared in the sixth Talkartoon series
Comic strip from 1934 to 1937
Initially appeared as a poodle in human form
Appeared many times as companion to Bimbo
Character based on Clara Bow and Helen Kane (the latter eventually sued, but lost)
Originally black and white, but the first color appearance was Poor Cinderella (1934)
Betty Boop had international popularity
Here’s a well done 4-minute report about Betty’s history
Given her dress and cleavage, the National Legion of Decency and the Production Code of 1934 forced changes in her appearance, dress, and cartoon content
Fearless Fred, a boyfriend, introduced in 1935 and her dog Pudgy
Bette Boop balloon has appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Each year, a Betty Boop and Baby Boop Look-a-Like Contest is held in Montebello, California (last one was July 20, 2013)
Enjoy Riding the Rails (1938), her only Oscar nomination
Where do you find this great stuff?? Love Betty Boop.
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Debra,
Glad you enjoyed Betty. In terms of the content, I try to do adequate research.
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Frank I haven’t seen that Minnie the Moocher film with Cab Calloway since my early college days when I was still living in San Francisco. It’s such an imaginative sequence with the ghosts, the poison-quaffing skeletons, and the creepy crone. It impressed me a lot when I was young, and I think it still holds up over 80 years later. I was not familiar with Pudgy. As adorable as he was, I much preferred the antics of flapper-style Betty to what she was reduced to when she was censored. When she was made to wear more clothes she was stripped of her originality and edge.
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Lame,
If I recall, that sequence scared me a bit many years ago. As you know, Fleischer was not only one of the pioneers, he was one of the greats – thus worthy to be honored here with a future post about him. I’m with you on Betty losing an edge due to censorship. Even with her edge, she also kept her innocence.
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A classic. Sexy and stylish.
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TBM,
Glad you enjoyed Betty!
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TBM,
Three good adjectives to describe her in your 5 words!
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Terrific post! She was great — thanks for Cab Caloway, too. I love that song.
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Elyse,
When I found the splice of Calloway then the animation, I knew I had to use it!
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This is a great post. I think Riding the Rails was shown on early TV on the Saturday cartoon shows.
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John,
Many thanks. I recall seeing Riding the Rails … so I imagine Betty aired into the early 1970s.
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I wasn’t born in that generation but somehow I remember these cartoons? I think they played them occasionally on TV when I was growing up? I LOVE them. I’m a huge fan of the Little Rascals, too. Again, probably made around the same time but somehow it all translated to my younger senses. LOVE!
This was a great post, Frank!
Thanks for inviting me!!
Grippy
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Grippy,
Welcome … and thanks for coming over. I like doing these on Saturdays. As the sidebar notes, I’ve done over 50 in this series.
Although her original appearances where solely in the 1930s, her (and other Fleischer cartoons) frequently aired into the early 70s. That’s pretty good longevity!
Although the Little Rascals don’t qualify for this series, you do have me thinking!
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In our family we all love Betty B. Great finds – thanks.
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Curry,
Cheers to finding another Betty fan! Glad you enjoyed it.
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Interesting Frank. I never thought of her before as a sex symbol 🙂
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Colline,
Really, neither I until doing the research. Very interesting!
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While there’s no denying Ms Boop’s sexiness, there’s something about her I’ve always found a bit irritating. I’m not quite sure what it is. But!! I LOVE the Minnie the Moocher video!
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Alex,
Personally, I never liked her voice .. so maybe the same for you. When I found the video that spiced together two scenes from the Minnie the Moocher cartoon, I had to use it!
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I love this one Frank, great stuff. Betty has always been one of my favorites. I had forgotten the Minnie cartoon, hadn’t seen that one in years. Thank you for the fabulous reminder of a great cartoon.
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Val,
Cheers to another Betty fan. I must admit, a learned a lot in preparing this post!
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What a fun character, Frank. I’d love to watch the look-alike contest. I bet it’s a real hoot. 🙂
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Sylvia,
If I recall, the community has been having the contest for over 20 years … so it must be popular!
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That was interesting, Frank. Wouldn’t you know, she was breaking decency rules and needed to be put in her place. How would she fare today in her original outfit?
That dancer with the Cab C. band was really fluid. He and Michael Jackson could have done an awesome number if they had a chance. He was almost moon walking.
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Jim,
The dancer in the Cab Calloway Band is Cab himself! He can move! I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Michael Jackson studied his recordings.
Interesting how a segment of society has been around at various points of time to make statements like that. Compared to today, Betty was tame.
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That was Cab? I thought is was someone else. Now I am more impressed.
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He was a great one! Though late in his career, I did get to see him perform a few songs with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.
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Funny that a cartoon is seen as a sex symbol.
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RoSy,
Absolutely … then considering it was the 1930s takes it to another level of thought.
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I love Betty Boop! As a kid I loved her voice. Montebello is a neighbor city, and had no idea about the Betty Boop contest. That would be so much fun to witness. She truly was a one of a kind cartoon! I can’t think of anyone/thing quite like her! 🙂
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Debra,
Glad to know that you may bring a future post about the contest in Montebello! 🙂 Cheers to your love for Betty!
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Max Fleischer was my favorite. Especially liked his Superman cartoons.
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Hansi,
I recall you saying that before. Because I can’t easily recall Superman cartoons, I may have to look into those. Thanks for the tip.
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Brilliant introduction and animation of Calloway’s Minnie the Moocher. Loved this video! Not into BB that much… or most anthropomorphic cartoons for that matter but I always enjoy great work when I see it!
🙂 Hope you’re enjoying your evening!
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Marina,
Glad you enjoyed Cab Calloway as it’s fun seeing his early years!
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So that’s what all the fuss is about.
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Cuttlefish,
The “decency” advocates had a fit over Betty’s dress and figure. Once they got new regulations in place, her popularity declined.
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Betty Boop – now you’re talkin!
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Fasab,
Betty is unquestionably a classic!!!
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I’ve always loved Betty Boop but didn’t know any of this history. Fascinating.
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Malcolm,
Interesting how somethings always seem to linger, or go in waves. Nonetheless, although her history is based in one decade, Betty is a classic!
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Aahh, Betty, innocent, until prudes made her dirty. Moonwalk Michael must have studied Cab’s moves. They moved me! There’s a similar scene in one of the Thin Man movies. It’s like the laws of gravity and friction just don’t apply. 🙂
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Archon,
The prudes just don’t have a sense of humor. Meanwhile, I imagined Michael thought highly of Cab Calloway.
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clara bow. i always knew there was a familiar face in there, but i couldn’t come up with a name. thanks.
have you done secret squirrel?
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Rich,
Here ya go … https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/06/16/on-secret-squirrel/
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