Source: BettyBoop.com
“What is it about Betty Boop that can still haunt your dreams long after her flesh-and-blood rivals fade away?”
- Chicago Tribune “Though Betty bowed out as a headliner in 1939, her popularity remains as intact as her boop-oop-a-doop. Maybe the appeal lies in her sassy independence, in the fact that she’s the only female cartoon character who’s not a foil for a male. Call it fatale feminism.” – Entertainment Weekly |
Before Marilyn and Madonna, Betty booped and wriggled her way into hearts worldwide with her unique mix of wide-eyed innocence and powerful cartoon sensuality.
Betty was the first generation of Lola Bunny, Jessica Rabbit, Lara Croft and all the rest of them. Although she made her film debut as a curvaceous cabaret singer in the Max Fleischer short “Dizzy Dishes” on August 9, 1930, Betty Boop remains animation’s first leading lady and a glamorous international icon. |
Rise to Fame
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Betty Boop, Fleischer’s most famous creation, was born during this time. Betty first appeared in “Dizzy Dishes,” which was released on August 9, 1930. She was created as the love interest for one of Fleischer’s popular animated characters, Bimbo, a dog, who was the star of his own Talkartoonseries. Betty’s first film appearance was brief, and appropriately… she looked a little bit like a dog! She was unnamed, had jowls, big teeth, and dog ears. Still, anyone who later became familiar with the fully-evolved Betty Boop would immediately recognize the Betty of “Dizzy Dishes” as, well, Betty— with her curls, big eyes and tiny pouting mouth and short flapper dress. Her flirtatious persona was inspired by the popular flapper look, and the most famous female stars of the day (including Mae West).
Betty’s looks continued to evolve slightly with each film, and her popularity continued to grow. Eventually, as her jowls and teeth disappeared, her floppy dog ears became earrings… and she became fully human. Still, it took over a year before she got her famous name, Betty Boop. Many of Betty’s films cleverly integrated animation with live people, often Max himself. She was such a hit with audiences that she soon replaced Bimbo as the star, and by 1932 was the star of her own Betty Boop series. Betty had become the first animated screen siren, and the unrivaled star of Fleischer Studios.
Betty’s looks continued to evolve slightly with each film, and her popularity continued to grow. Eventually, as her jowls and teeth disappeared, her floppy dog ears became earrings… and she became fully human. Still, it took over a year before she got her famous name, Betty Boop. Many of Betty’s films cleverly integrated animation with live people, often Max himself. She was such a hit with audiences that she soon replaced Bimbo as the star, and by 1932 was the star of her own Betty Boop series. Betty had become the first animated screen siren, and the unrivaled star of Fleischer Studios.
Eventually, the popularity of Betty’s baby face, little-girl voice, independent attitude and womanly charms proved powerful enough for her to star in a cartoon series of her own.
Interestingly, even after Betty evolved and hit the big time, Bimbo continued to appear as her nominal boyfriend, despite the fact that he remained a dog throughout his career. |