Evolution of BETTY BOOP - 90 Years Explained | CARTOON EVOLUTION

CARTOON EVOLUTION #11
I take a look at the history and evolution of Betty Boop, the sexy, sultry and seductive animated goddess and icon of the Golden Age of animation - debuting at the Fleischer Studio in 1930, she provided a bright spark of light for those in the Depression era, pining for the optimistic days of the Jazz Age.
As a series filled with highly promiscuous material, mainly aimed towards an adult audience, Betty never saw enormous stardom, even at the height of her career. And following the introduction of the Hays Code in 1934, she saw an even further decline in popularity with her cartoons suddenly watered-down. Relegated to sporadic television appearances in later decades and becoming a merchandising symbol and pin-up icon in the 1980s, Betty has struggled to find her place in the limelight ever since.
I take a look at how Betty has evolved and how animators changed her look, appearance and personality to conform with rapidly changing social norms and how she was inspired by such icons as Baby Esther Jones, Helen Kane and Clara Bow.
EARLY FLEISCHER SHORTS
Out of the Inkwell - Tantalizing Fly / Clown’s Little Brother / Mechanical Doll / It’s all the Cats / Ko-Ko’s Haunted House / Ko-Ko’s Big Sale
Inkwell Imps - Ko-Ko’s Catch / Ko-Ko Hops Off / Ko-Ko’s Earth Control / Ko-Ko’s Courtship / Chemical Ko-Ko / Ko-Ko’s Hot Ink /
Sound Car-Toon - My Old Kentucky Home / Tramp, Tramp, Tramp /
BETTY BOOP & BIMBO SHORTS (INC. TALKARTOON & SCREEN SONGS)
Romantic Melodies
Just a Gigolo
Swing You Sinners!
Hot Dog
Mysterious Mose
Bimbo’s Initiation
Dizzy Dishes
Barnacle Bill
Silly Scandals
Teacher’s Pest
Any Little Girl That’s a Nice Girl
Row, Row, Row
Please Go ‘way and Let Me Sleep
Hide and Seek
The Bum Bandit
Betty Co-Ed
Bimbo’s Express
Minding the Baby
Mask-A-Raid
Kitty from Kansas
Jack and the Beanstalk
Dizzy Red Riding Hood
Crazy Town
Any Rags?
Boop-Oop-a-Doop
Swim or Sink
Minnie the Moocher (with Cab Calloway)
The Betty Boop Limited
Let Me Call You Sweetheart
Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning
Stopping the Show
Museum
For President
May Party
Life Guard
Bizzy Bee
She Wronged Him Right
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Trial
Morning, Noon and Night
Big Boss
Snow-White (with Cab Calloway)
Penthouse
I Heard
Red Hot Mama
The Old Man of the Mountain (with Cab Calloway)
Betty Boop’s Rise to Fame
Bamboo Isle
Ups and Downs
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
Time on My Hands
Hallowe’en Party
A Hunting We Will Go
Chess-Nuts
Birthday Party
Crazy Inventions
I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You (with Louis Armstrong)
Keep In Style
Pudgy Takes a Bow
Zula Hula
Stop That Noise
Thrills and Chills
When My Ship Comes In
Out of the Inkwell
Judge For a Day
Service With a Smile
House Cleaning Blues
Prize Show
There’s Something About a Soldier
No! No! A Thousand Times No!!
The Swing School
Be Up to Date
Foxy Hunter
Grampy’s Indoor Outing
Pudgy the Watchman
Little Pal
The Scared Crows
Be Human
The Impractical Joker
Happy You and Merry Me
Riding the Rails
Sally Swing
A Dream Walking
Popeye the Sailor
Betty and Grampy
So Does an Automobile
and the Little King
and Little Jimmy
with Henry, the Funniest Living American
Musical Mountaineers
My Friend the Monkey
Rhythm on the Reservation
Yip Yip Yippy
On With the New
Hooray For Betty Boop
Romance of Betty Boop
Hollywood Mystery
Lancome Commercial
Dan-E Commercial
Betty Goes A-Posen
Slot Machines - Fire House / Love Machine / Dance Card Bop
OTHER SHORTS
Felix the Cat Gets Revenge
Mickey Mouse - Steamboat Willie / The Opry House / Mickey’s Mellerdrammer / The Band Concert / Thru the Mirror
Flip the Frog
Willie Whopper
Comi-Color Cartoons
Popeye - Strong to the Finich / The Man on the Flying Trapeze / Doing Impossikible Stunts / Fleets of Stren’th / Moving Aweigh
OTHER MEDIA
The Marx Brothers in The CocoanutsWalt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Misc. Pre-Code films
Night After Night (Mae West)
She Done Him Wrong (Mae West)
Gulliver’s Travels
Mr. Bug Goes to Town
Superman
Moby Dick and Mighty Mightor
Sinbad Jr. and His Magic Belt
Space Ghost
The Herculoids
Birdman and the Galaxy Trio
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
The Lego Movie
Peter Rabbit
Happy Feet
HELEN KANE MOVIES
A Lesson in Love
The Dangerous Nan McGrew
Sweetie
Nothing But the Truth
I Think You’ll Like It
Paramount on Parade (1930)
CLARA BOW MOVIES
She’s Got It
Get Your Man
Wings
#BettyBoop #Fleischer #Popeye #MickeyMouse #Disney #CartoonEvolution
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HYPERFUN Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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CARTOON EVOLUTION Opening Music -
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Between 2016/17, channel was previously: Disney Dave Down Under

[@fredarok579]

I think the key to Betty’s return is to not make her for kids. Don’t water Betty down, that’s what caused her downfall in the first place. Animation for adults or teens is where she can truly shine. Bimbo and Koko would be nice touches too.

[@joestrike8537]

Certainly NO shortage of adult animation these days! (Family Guy, American Dad, Drawn Together...and just about everything on Adult Swim.) She just needs the right vehicle - the trick is to combine her classic look and personality with today's styles in animation and storytelling.

[@cookieskoon2028]

Aim her at adults... correctly. Don't just make her excessively lewd and crass and offensive for the sake of it. That killed Ren and Stimpy, butchered Family Guy, and sucked the soul out of dozens of original properties. Make her funny! Make her witty and clever. Make her sexy, but not trashy. That's the other key.

[@fredarok579]

Cookie Skoon Yes, I realized this after the fact.

[@glasserdounutthelemmingder38]

I still think they'll water even if there for adults

[@DM006]

It is not a bad idea, I agree in making a unique "mature cartoon" I would avoid things like blood and beatings. Like the Simpsons. something down to earth but always a cartoon.

[@annagundam9120]

This is a example of a cartoon character that doesnt quite work in 3D

[@joestrike8537]

She doesn't look utterly horrible in CGI; but if you ever saw the attempt to do Popeye in CGI...THE HORROR, THE HORROR!!

[@t65bx25]

Joe Strike U mean this?? I think it looks fine unless you mean something else: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2XXf6iDbr2nqq8

[@AHHHHHHHHHHHHl]

@@joestrike8537 He didn't look so bad in the cancelled movie

[@dacstudios1168]

Joe Strike Remember when Sony tried to make a Popeye film? But replaced it with the Emoji Movie? Yeah I think Sony knew what you meant there.

[@Slutology]

the merchandise was scary to look at.

[@johnofonett8036]

Betty Boop deserves the same notoriety as characters like Popeye and Mickey Mouse. She is an absolute starlet of animation and shows just how unique the Golden Age could be.

[@_peepee_]

i feel like she has a ton of recognition??

[@librarianrose4472]

.....she does

[@yemyearmii7231]

She does

[@Princess_of_cute]

@@_peepee_ but I'm not sure if it's as big as the one of the others tbh

[@_peepee_]

Gacha Lina shes bigger than popeye imo

[@theprimereason3288]

they gotta bring her back. she'd be fun on adult swim.

[@kamX-rz4uy]

Toot Braunstein

[@JerkInquisitive]

I see what your suggesting.

[@theprimereason3288]

@@kamX-rz4uy no

[@triplehearts914]

i second this!

[@apphyz2928]

Eh, not exactly on adult swim. She could just be on a regular show that is mostly aimed towards teens and young adults (maybe pre-teens if they have parental permission)

[@witchypoo7353]

Why the hell am I feeling sad for a cartoon character trying her best?

[@gc1097]

Same 🥺

[@dionysus-sama6338]

Cause We all try...just like her lol

[@NoraTSS2077]

It's called Empathy, if more people had what you have the world would be a better place.

[@witchypoo7353]

@Nora thank you so much

[@idunnobutyay2520]

Same here, poor Betty!

[@eddvcr598]

Being Japanese, I love the short in which she goes to perform in Tokyo, my home town. Although the cultural depictions are cartoony, Betty sings in incredibly beautiful Japanese lyrics (in perfect Japanese language with zero grammatical errors!!) with flawless pronunciation. As a lonely immigrant kid who was deeply missing my home country, that definitely brought a very big smile to my face and I’d go around the house singing Betty’s song in Japanese. Ever since I’ve seen her cartoons, I’ve been obsessed with old Betty Boop cartoons. To me, there’s something so timeless with how funny, witty, and clever they are. She is a timeless icon, and I’d definitely want to see her make a big comeback!!

[@DaveLeeDownUnder]

Such a beautiful story!! I love how cartoons can bring us all together, and mean something on such a deep level!

[@davidwesley2525]

The BETTY BOOP cartoon is A LANGUAGE ALL MY OWN. BETTY BOOP flew her airplane from New York City to Japan . BETTY BOOP sang & danced in both English & Japanese. The Japanese audience were featured in a positive & realistic way.🤩🤩🤩

[@eddvcr598]

@David Wesley Yes, that’s the one!!

[@ForgetfulxNeko]

@meanybean If you haven't seen it yet, it's here on KZbin! Betty Boop: "A Language All My Own" (1935)

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Personal fave Betty Boop toon was "Be Human" as she speaks on behalf of abused animals- almost as if she never forgot her animal roots lol!

[@YumegakaMurakumo]

We're all animals underneath it all

[@delete---7593]

.🤔😑.

[@felixchaplin]

It's futile to be brutal; it won't get you a dime So be human all the time

[@thekendrashow]

Yes. And that was the first Betty Boop cartoon I seen too when I was like 8-9 years old. Still love it to this day.

[@wwalt2819]

I like the one where she is the presenter for all the different raced babies and all the babies are the most stereotypical caricature you could think of

[@SquizzMe]

I like how she used to stick up for herself against harassment.

[@delete---7593]

Yeah sure lmao. .🤔😑.

[@delete---7593]

@meanybean No. 😑.

[@magnumopus788]

@@delete---7593 😕

[@insane9977]

@@delete---7593 shut up

[@sketchs_art_corner]

It’s gross, but badass. I genuinely love seeing strong female characters stick up for themselves against something most people and media don’t talk about

[@SoleaGalilei]

I was one of the people who only knew Betty as a kitschy merchandising character. Thank you for sharing the real history behind her! Seems like she was way ahead of her time. Today we know animation isn't just for kids but back then there wasn't a place for adult cartoons.

[@ShellyValeras]

Even now though some adults are trying to limit cartoons to children. Stating that Animation is inherently for kids and shouldn't be desecrated by adult topics. It's one of the few things still wrong in today's art.

[@AverageEggmonEnthusiast]

I find it kinda hilarious that no one could animate women. Literally half the population. No one could draw them.

[@yvonnet6399]

Tala B i know so weird lol

[@cass6082]

I think the problem was more that no one knew how to present them. Draw them too ugly like the goofy male characters and people would get upset (especially given the time period) men wouldn’t want to see her and women may take offense, but if you draw her too pretty/sexy then she will be considered not “family friendly” and panned by men and women alike. Also I guess given the time periods there wasn’t much of a demand since most romance was a no-no and people may not be interested in a female-led story (what role could you put her in that people wouldn’t be upset)

[@fayettevillain1171]

@@cass6082 Some women characters should be ugly, some cute, some average--just like men! Let women look weird...I like weird looking cartoons too.

[@cass6082]

Fayette Villain Yeah, I agree. I just mean for the time period I imagine it was like walking on eggshells to include animated female characters

[@milz3108]

Tala B without making the ultra sexy

[@mightyfilm]

You're right about it being a tragedy. This is pretty much the most depressing video you've ever posted. Betty is in the unique spot of both deserving more yet also still a product of her time period. Seriously, those Betty Boop cartoons are no joke. They have some of the trippiest animation in an era where everyone was flocking to cute dancing flowers. That St. James Infirmary number with the ghost that morphs while he dances feels like the inspiration for the Yellow Submarine film. It's underrated outside of an animation class. It's a shame that she was only revived as merchandise and nothing else really took. As far as the old cartoons go, well, it's not hard to see why a LOT of the studio's later color output was saccharine and focused towards the youngest tykes out there. Just look at "Somewhere in Dreamland." I guess once you're called out for making cartoons too adult or too dark or any other way inappropriate and controversial, you go hard kid friendly. Still happens to this day. I guess if Betty had a "Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat" style show or series of shorts in the 90's, she could have at least gained some footing besides merchandising mascot.

[@donniehuynh2391]

Yep. A pity there hasn't been a Betty Boop revival in the last 30 years. I think the poor girl deserves better than just being a subject of merchandise. At least with Looney Tunes, we get to see new material from that brand, what with the new Looney Tunes Cartoons being set to premiere on HBO Max.

[@mightyfilm]

Looney Tunes and Mickey and Co are never or almost never out of the public eye long enough, and their revivals come naturally. There's very little there to update without anything coming off as a desperate cash grab. While I can't say all their classic cartoons are timeless, they're hardly the product of the their times the way Betty was. There's a lot to be said about the 1980's retro craze that turned her into a mascot, but what really hurt her was the fact that, unlike Looney Tunes or even for that matter Popeye or Terrytoons, her cartoons weren't widely shown in syndicated cartoon packages, especially in that era. You'd probably find her in those really bad copyright expired VHS compilations, maybe, but not to the frequency of other Fleischer Studios cartoons. Christmas Comes But Once A Year, Somewhere in Dreamland, and especially Play Safe were ubiquitous with those kinds of compilations, even going in to the DVD era. It comes down to the fact her cartoons were mostly black and white, they were pretty adult, and they weren't as accessible as basically every other older cartoons that those are sadly forgotten. I honestly have trouble imagining what a reboot/relaunch could be like, and I can totally envision absolutely every other cartoon character doing so.

[@KevinKess]

About "That St. James Infirmary number with the ghost that morphs while he dances", you're thinking of Koko the Clown when that sequence happened.

[@mightyfilm]

Ehhh. I must've thought about another cartoon and mixed them together. Haven't seen them in over a decade, actually. I even had a text book that had still frames of the sequence. That would have been the one transformation I forgot about.

[@walkerphillips2818]

Felix, Betty, Bimbo, and Koko cartoons were all major inspirations for both Bendy And The Ink Machine and Cuphead. In fact, Bimbo made a canon cameo appearance in The Cuphead Show’s first episode!

[@Princess_of_cute]

I'm so happy I'm crying man. I thought no one would talk about the fact that Fleischer was the one inventing the rotoscope. If he wouldn't have, who knows how long it would have taken till animations would have become so great. Everyone talking about Disney being the one revolutionized animations but no one remembers Fleischer who really did something! That made me nuts, thinking about it but this here is researched so well! Thank you man

[@DaveLeeDownUnder]

No problem.

[@candygirlbunny406auttp4]

@@DaveLeeDownUnder 💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟

[@walkerphillips2818]

Fleisher frickin invented modern animated cartoons if you think about it!

[@Igorcastrochucre]

Popeye, Felix, Woody, and now Betty, was there ever a classic standalone character that had a happy ending? If Disney ever makes another Epic Mickey, they should pull a Roger Rabbit and bring all of those guys back.

[@printthelegends]

Tom and Jerry never really went away.

[@austinkruse7610]

Igorowan Popeye And Woody are still kinda around

[@Mclucasrv]

I think it would be really cool if the people on cuphead could use her in some background animation they capture the style so well.

[@joestrike8537]

Not sure how recent they are, but I've been watching some very bizarro Woody Woodpecker shorts here on KZbin, worth checking out. (My favorite character is a creepy looking badger with a mouthful of enormous pointy teeth who makes an occasional cameo appearance for no particular reason; his catchphrase is a slow, growly and very scary..."hiya buddy.")

[@heatherbean1000]

WE GOTTA GET FELIX BACK

[@robertahenley4115]

I personally loved seeing Betty Boop in the movie, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

[@benjaminthemandmsgeneral5376]

i remember thar movie

[@Vixey_Starr]

She found Roger attractive 😂❤

[@thepress1790]

@@Vixey_Starr lol

[@r0ry785]

I love that movie so much ✨✨✨

[@davidwesley2525]

@@Vixey_Starr I Find Betty Boop More Attractive than Jessica Rabbit. 💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

[@hyyacinthus]

In my opinion it's very sad how she used to be such a strong feminist character who in general was fun to watch as well but going to a watered down boring housewife and now just being remembered as a sex icon and nothing more

[@MLBlue30]

@Chika Yami That's not true at all. Make some feminist friends they will let you know what they really think.

[@TheStarBot]

@Chika Yami Dave Lee Brown (that guy made this video) is actually a big fan of that She-Ra reboot, and Marvel and DC comics Have you actually watched it, or you are just going to keep in your hugbox that "women bad" "lesbians bad"

[@magicduckman5568]

I love betty for the same reasons i love bayonnetta. She's sexy, Sassy and confident and will punch anyone that might try to go too far with her. I really hope they reboot her, but keep her like that and not the housewife persona she was forced into.

[@MLBlue30]

@Chika Yami You are so far off base you are brainwashed. No feminists I know are remotely like that. Chuck the redpill and be drug free.

[@conceptofartz276]

@@MLBlue30 maybe she means the feminazis which aren't actually feminist

[@vincentfranklin17]

At first, I didn't like her cartoons. However, over time, the funny, funky charm grew on me. I now cherish the Fleischer shorts! Her appearance in Who Framed Roger Rabbit was a treasure. Plus, she was voiced by Mae Questel!

[@melissacooper4282]

This year I bought a four volume collection of Betty Boop cartoons on DVD. I actually like them! What really sold me was when they played Cab Calloway's music in the background in some of the shorts!

[@FrostySparks]

Can we pls just pretend that the 3D version doesn't exist at all?!

[@goodday3185]

Yes we will.

[@bobbysebringstrout9787]

What 3d version

[@sonicfanboy3375]

@@bobbysebringstrout9787 did you watched the video?

[@inkling457]

@@sonicfanboy3375 r/whoosh

[@bobbytime1871]

Gladly

[@dennabelleeudela2304]

As a kid, I only knew Betty Boop from merchandise as well as my cousin wearing a T-shirt of her. Just when I was 13, I didn't realized she was really a cartoon character when my dad introduced me to her when watching the first "Popeye" cartoon when she guest starred there. Now, her cartoons are always the best to see all over and it really made her pretty face the best to go blinded with. Why can't Betty Boop have a live-action movie? I've been wishing and praying hard for that one!

[@davidwesley2525]

Who could play BETTY BOOP in a Live Action movie?🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@Oscarhudson_Official]

Toot Braunstein on Drawn Together parodies this character.

[@b0ltun0]

love her as much as i love betty

[@samuelmeasa9283]

Don't forget Googi Goop, voice by Desiree Goyette for the Animaniacs episode "The Girl With the Googily Goop".

[@chaoticneutral7976]

Ironically Tara Strong has noted that playing Toot has been her favorite role to voice act

[@Igor_servant_of_Philemon]

I just found that out. Never even know about Betty Boops existence and always asked myself what she is based on

[@natashasargent2767]

When you announced the video, I was wondering if you were going to mention Esther Jones. She was a super important part of her history! Well done

[@DaveLeeDownUnder]

Her story would be incomplete without mentioning Esther! I’m glad you enjoyed - thanks for watching ☺️

[@tyla140]

Thank you for not forgetting/purposefully omitting this information.

[@candygirlbunny406auttp4]

@@DaveLeeDownUnder Wow 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@candygirlbunny406auttp4]

@@DaveLeeDownUnder you are so smart and cool 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@candygirlbunny406auttp4]

@@DaveLeeDownUnder 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@frogoat]

I'd like a loving and faithful revival in the same vein as the 2020 Looney Tunes Cartoons show. Keep the iconic design and keep what's always worked.

[@Mclucasrv]

I think the one that would do it would have a Headache nowdays the SJW would attack her with full force if she is not the ideal feminist image they have in their mind.

[@calebkuti7897]

This is why I am so surprised Betty Boop even came to our modern age. It seems impossible to adapt her without controversy which is why I kinda have a distain for her in recent years. If you make it faithful to the pre code era then people complain that she’s too adult, if you make her faithful to the post code era, people complain for being to family friendly!

[@tonymata8070]

I love this idea here, I would also love for Felix the Cat to get a revival. ❤

[@printthelegends]

Betty and friends would be right at home in those stylized Mickey shorts. An approach somewhere between that and the full-on madness of Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat could work quite well.

[@frogoat]

A negative reaction to a woman who was vital, vibrant and representative of modern women in the 20s and 30s would be a fallacy in itself. Betty was and is unabashedly a strong female character who exudes sex appeal and confidence. As the video mentions, Betty was a trailblazer, remains an icon and if I were to see supposed warriors of social justice or feminism claiming she was anything but a positive force in promoting their own causes, I'd find that laughable. I mean, Betty even got censored for her appearance and behavior for goodness sake!

[@LegendStormcrow]

I worked at a Betty Boop biker themed restaurant up in the Black Hills.

[@lemmykoopa5765]

Mkay

[@remington8617]

Sounds cool!

[@skyden24195]

My parents recorded "Hooray for Betty Boop," onto a VHS tape, which my sister, brother and I watched repeatedly. Not only were we in love with the cartoon itself, but we were also fans of the movie "The Blues Brothers," which featured Cab Calloway and his song "Minnie the Moocher." Since the song (and, technically, the artist) appeared in both movies, it gave both that much more fascinating appeal to us kids.

[@Nightman221k]

I think my favorite Betty Cartoons are usually her classic old ones back in the old pre-code Fleischer era and I really love the ones with Pudgy and Grampy. I love the way they animated her in Betty Goes A-Posen as far as her revival artstyles go. The movie with Bernadette as the voice of Betty sounds amazing! I wish it happened cause the storyboards look great!

[@lucasclement9368]

Comment#1: What makes Betty Boop so special is the fact that she was the very first female cartoon character with her own starring role in her own series of theatrical cartoons. While other popular early female cartoon/comic characters (Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Petunia Pig, Winnie Woodpecker, Olive Oyl, Mary Marvel, Batgirl, Catwoman, Vicky Vale, Supergirl, and Lois Lane) were just co-stars or carbon copies of their male counterparts, Betty Boop was a cartoon girl who was one of a kind star. She might not have been the strong independent female like DC's Wonder Woman or one of the cute yet clever child characters like Little Audrey or Little Lulu, but she was a sassy and sexy character who set herself apart from all the other male cartoon stars and helped pave the way for future female star characters. Comment #2: In my opinion, I think Betty Boop should make a comeback by starring in a live action/animated film. The Plot Summary: After spending many years in retirement/cancellation, Betty Boop decides to breakout of her old ink bottle and try to reclaim her stardom in todays modern world. Along the way, she overhears an evil plot from a greedy studio executive who plans to remove all traces of classic retro cartoons (including her own) from the media - so as to save thousands that are spent on the preservation of classic footage. Now Betty Boop has to find a way to save both herself and her animated retro brothers and sisters from being erased and forgotten forever, and prove that even outdated black-and-white cartoons like herself still belong even in this changed world.

[@walkerphillips2818]

Dang son, where’d you find this? That movie idea sounds AMAZING!

[@MnMsandOreos]

I adore Betty Boop. I have written a number of things about Betty in my four years as a history undergrad, including a paper on her sexuality and the Hayes Code, and a section on her in a paper all about the representation of immigrants in early Hollywood (go watch the beginning of Minnie the Moocher for more on that). However, as much as I love her, she really only works in the 1930s. She was a product of the Great Depression, with a number of her shorts relating to the issues of the time. For example, in 1932’s Betty Boop’s Bizzy Bee, she is seen preparing and selling the saddest of Great Depression food, wheat cakes, for many hungry workmen. Or in Betty Boop’s Ups and Downs, what starts with her selling her house leads to the entire planet being on sale to the other planets in the solar system, as a parody of just how desperate the situation was. The Boop cartoons were unlike Disney cartoons, in that they did not shy away from the issues at hand. They were not fully escapist, they made fun of the troubles. Unfortunately, this meant that while Disney had created timeless characters that did not reference the period, the Fleischers had accidentally created a character who was so tied with the Great Depression, that she could never move past it. She was perfect for her time, but now is suited for little more than aesthetically pleasing merchandise. And honestly, I’m ok with that. As long as she is remembered, I’m happy

[@jimegnor4442]

Would love to read your papers.

[@SaruiRalla]

Thanks for making this! Betty Boop was actually my grandmother's favorite cartoon character, and I grew up watching some of her shorts on VHS, and it was neat tracking down more old cartoons on KZbin from varying points in her career...not to mention seeing her everywhere on merchandise. She really is an icon, and even though her popularity waxes and wanes, it's hard to see her ever completely falling into obscurity. One of my favorite classic shorts 1935's "A Language All My Own", a love letter to her fans in Japan; her voice actress learned to sing in Japanese for that short, and it's just sweet. It would be neat to see a complete revival, but of course, she's one of those characters that you have to get just right, and that can be hard.

[@cheleseaboone6554]

THANK YOU FOR ADDRESSING LITTLE ESTER!!!!!! So many people either don't know, or don't believe her connections with the character!

[@SR77736]

@Chika Yami Esther is the grandmother of Betty as mentioned. If it weren't for Jones, Betty wouldn't have that style because Kane wouldn't have appropriated it from a black woman. Not sure what's so difficult about that concept.

[@cheleseaboone6554]

@@SR77736 Thank you boo. My girl Chika needs to watch through the video again XD

[@vaniillazilla]

Little Esther needs her recognition for this. How many people don't know this, it's disappointing...

[@monamcleod277]

I remember reading about Kane v. Fleischer.

[@jameshowell6160]

@@cheleseaboone6554 OBVIOUSLY CHIKA YAMI DOSEN'T KNOW THAT FLAPPER GIRLS CONCEPT STARTED IN THE JAZZ AGE. AND THAT JAZZ WAS CREATED BY BLACKS IN NEW ORLEANS, AND THAT THE FLAPPER STYLE STARTED WHEN JAZZ GOT TO HARLEM. AND THAT SCAT SINGING, STARTED BY LOUIE ARMSTRONG AND PICKED UP BY A LOT OF FEMALE JAZZ SINGERS INCLUDING (BABY ESTHER)WHO WAS THE FIRST TO SAY(BOOP BOOP A DOOP. GOT ROBBED. THERE WAS A (PBS) DOCUMENTARY ON A LITTLE WHILE AGO CALLED "(DIRTY BLONDE)" ABOUT MAE WEST, ABOUT HOW SHE WOULD SPEND SO MUCH TIME UPTOWN IN THE HARLEM CLUBS AND JAZZ JOINTS WATCHING THE BLACK GIRLS DANCE, AND PICKING UP THEIR SWAGGER AND STYLE, THE WAY THEY TALK AND EVERYTHING, AND THE SHIMMY DANCE THAT EVERYBODY GAVE HER CREDIT FOR CREATING. BUT MAE WEST SET THEM STRAIGHT ON WHERE SHE LEARNED ALL THAT STUFF.

[@GideonMadu]

This is a very well made video Dave. It's really sad how the HAZE code screwed Betty over to the point where she's barely recognized for her role in animated films. She deserves better

[@DarkPsychoMessiah]

Hays* and yeah, that fucking code ruined everything

[@GideonMadu]

@@DarkPsychoMessiah thanks for the correction

[@jennifergriel861]

Betty needs a revival series like what they did with Harley Quinn in DC Universe. A medium that will allow for her sexuality to be explored without being exploited. And without being the only joke like what would happen if she ever went to Fox or Adult Swim.

[@yemyearmii7231]

Keep her classic. That’s her MAIN appeal. Her turning out to be a lesbian, crime fighter, ect would ruin that. Leave her how she is.

[@jennifergriel861]

The Eggman crime Fighter? No. But it’s the 21st century. She has the right to at least experiment.

[@yemyearmii7231]

Jennifer Griel but her appeal is being classical and iconic. Bringing her into the 21st century and modern standards and shit would ruin that.

[@assholic666]

@@yemyearmii7231 crime fighter doesn't make sense but why would her being a lesbian "ruin" that? i would rather have that than having her sexually harassed by literal lecherous dogs like it happened in the "classics". or have her accidentally show her bra to make the predominantly male viewers horny. i want the artists to explore her sensuality without them exploiting her body. that's what "the classics" did.

[@yemyearmii7231]

assholic I threw crime fighter in because none of it does make sense. Her being a lesbian ruins her classic look because that wasn’t so out there. Plus. She has a boyfriend. And, she is a sex symbol. Said multiple times in the video, her flashing her bra or unders is what she does. Bringing classic into modern never works. Her exploring her sexuality would ruin a classic, like bringing a black woman into James Bond’s role is ruining a classic. James Bond is James Bond. Betty Boop is Betty Boop. She’s a classic as she is

[@pamelamays4186]

Betty deserves more respect! A stage musical would be the perfect comeback for her. In Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, it seemed that Betty was the only Toon that Eddie liked and had sympathy for. Their exchange was very bittersweet.

[@cameronjacobs7414]

She was! Also, I'll be honest it really makes me want to cry with the situation Betty Boop is currently in. And yes, I know it probably won't help, but I love the character SO DON'T JUDGE ME!!!! I mean it's so unfair how she was treated in the 1930s and I would love to see more of her in the future. I BELIEVE BETTY BOOP CAN ONE DAY ESCAPE FROM CARTOON PURGATORY!!!!

[@RayPointerChannel]

A Stage Musical was in the works, but plans changed. A feature was in the works in 1992, and that was axed when Frank Mancusco left Paramount and went over to MGM, where the movie had been "Green-Lit" by Alan Ladd, Jr. before he left the studio.

[@bigboi5545]

Its a MASSIVE shame that 1994 animated film never materialized. Those storyboards were gorgeous!

[@Digitalhdwmn]

It did in another parallel dimension, in fact those who experienced a Mandela effect remember having/owned the film before

[@stephenholloway6893]

Betty truly deserves a comeback in animation. I hope one day she does get one.

[@SandwitchZebra]

I hold a lot of connections with Betty Boop. My great-grandmother loved her and (due to sharing the name Betty) went by Betty Boop as her nickname, though it was mostly used in the family. Betty Boop was the name I associated with her my whole life. A lot of things we have of her have the character on them. And she's a reminder of one of the things she loved. Not to mention, Betty Boop's history as a forgotten leader of animation in itself is fascinating. This and my personal connection are what make me want her back. Not just as a merchandising tool. Bring her back. Not just as public domain films slapped on DVDs. Not just as part of a classic films collection. Just at least one new short, silent film, tribute to her, anything. I don't want her forgotten.

[@prosperosmoon]

I'm pretty young so most people don't think I would know who any of these characters are, but I grew up on Betty Boop, Popeye, Mickey Mouse, Bimbo, Felix the Cat, etc. But I also grew up with Ed Edd and Eddie, The Rug Rats, Codename: Kids Next Door, Chowder, early SpongeBob, My Life as a Teenage Robot, The Power Puff girls, Teen Titans, Regular Show, Adventure Time, ect. All in all, I think I had a pretty good mix of shows growing up.

[@RayPointerChannel]

I worked on TEENAGE ROBOT. And you left out CATDOG. :)

[@worship6201]

My grandmother is 94 and she was absolutely OBSESSED! With Betty Boop

[@ZiaRDS]

I loved those jazz crossovers, I'd nearly choked on my drink when I saw how they transformed him into Koko the clown, and the dance moves and tracing! It was amazing animation for the time, I couldn't believe it! Especially since I'm so used to watching old cartoons with racist undertones, seeing a running skit embrace black artists nearly made me cry. I've been pining for a new Betty Boop series for a while too, but I think it should be aimed toward older teens and adults, a series that's unafraid of her promiscuous nature. Even a webshow, if given to the right team, would be great. And I think it would hold a lot of charm if they continued making them in black and white.

[@amarie_2]

I don’t see Betty Boop has being the saddest, she’s a star through and through.

[@frogoat]

I've adored Betty Boop since I was a young child. I truly appreciate the thorough research and deep love you show in these videos. Thank you.

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

I never knew about the link between Boop and Snow White. You can sort of see the resemblance in her chin and mouth, which is something I never thought I'd say. And Cab Calloway and LOUIS ARMSTRONG were in it, which is awesome.

[@johnackerman5599]

I honestly think that Betty’s best short, to me, is “The Bum Bandent”. There is something how more tough she is than usual that makes me get a laugh out of.

[@vjm3]

I recall during that Betty Boop movie, they proposed a song where she would meet up with her estranged father. She sang a song "Where are you" and when the writer of the song sang it, one of the main people who oversaw Betty's image broke down in tears.

[@RayPointerChannel]

During "that movie?" "That move" was never produced, even though pre-production had started. There are a couple of Animatics where the Storyboard sketches were synced to the songs. But the movie was never made.

[@richmcgee434]

Some inaccuracies to address: Censorship in the years leading up the Hay Code wasn't non-existent at all, it was just decentralized. Many cities and towns had censorhip boards (often made up of church VIPs and school board members) that effectively decided what films local theaters could show. Their standards were all over the place, and you could often see two neighboring towns where one banned a given film while another didn't. The studios largely ignored these local censors since there was no way to please all of them and many places didn't have them at all, although they did have a loose set of do's and don't's when it came to film-making. The Hays Code changed all that by establishing a uniform set of requirements starting in 1930, but they weren't rigorously enforced until 1934 when the Production Code Authority was formed. Even then they were never a set of legally mandated rules and studios obeyed them out of self-interest, not because they were bound to do so by law.

[@MariamaDiallo-fj6ow]

Funny how when the main female lead is no longer being overtly sexualized she loses her popularity. Lovely. I think I liked the shorts where there wasn't time taken away to show her dress falling down.

[@elly12334]

Request: Voice Evolution Of Betty Boop Over 90 Years (1930-2020)

[@stephenholloway6893]

Wait til Thursday.

[@misstitched]

Great episode sums up my favorite Toon! Its a shame they don't utilize her more today aside from her merchandise. I would love to see the Broadway version come to fruition one of these days and more of her Dynamite comics (those were so good and true to her). Recently, there was a book published titled "Betty Boop's Guide to a Bold and Balanced Life" to celebrate her 90th Birthday! Ultimately I would love for a full length feature film made in the classic 30's animation style to bring back Betty, Bimbo, Pudgy, Koko, and Grampy! Betty still has some life in her and remains relevant to the times. YAY BETTY!!

[@InkMink]

I would love a comeback as an adult cartoon I feel like she’d be sassy and funny in today’s era

[@davidwesley2525]

Don't make Betty Boop Too Adult , make Betty Boop suitable for older kids.🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Igorcastrochucre]

Betty: "Wanna be a member?" YES

[@jacobwhaley5902]

I'll be completely honest: Despite watching a few of the Betty Boop shorts, I always thought Grampy was Betty's grandfather.

[@Nightman221k]

7:50 I never saw Betty with her hairstyle at a side-part. It actually looks pretty cute that way!

[@donaldkjohnson9415]

The first waifu

[@DannibalManRealOmgNoWay]

"Y'know son, Betty Boop was my Wi-Fi."

[@User-xk3nw]

What is a waifu?

[@totallynotaoi4662]

minted oil Waifu is a japanese-term for crush or girlfriend. It normally means Wife, but in japanese anime culture it is Waifu.

[@lemmykoopa5765]

x*Aoi Tsuki*x weirdo

[@totallynotaoi4662]

Yoshi Game master I quitted Gacha. I still need to change my profile lmao

[@multiverseman4017]

Like if u think Betty Boop DESERVES a revival!!!!

[@multiverseman4017]

@ISABELLA ABALOS Oswald is getting his own series on Disney+!!!!

[@sonicsonic2022]

Yea

[@liquifieddonatsu1423]

Basically what I got out of this is that the saying 'History doesn't repeat, it rhymes' is extremely true, and now is the best time for Betty Boop, or a similar character, to make a rise to combat the puritan culture coming back in full force.

[@TransConservativewaifu]

Your comment gives me an idea.... you know I am working on a animation studio with my brother and we have over 100's of characters to be created for over 100s of ideas for different media. I can think of something like betty but not a carbon copy. Something similar to the style of her shorts and how she is somewhat represented. Thanks. Then again I need to think very carefully of this and I don't mind if it does become controversial cause I got another game idea that is gonna be way too controversial for us. Puritan culture is something I'm not a fan of. Creativity is in danger these days. I can fix it and I hope i can.

[@SavageGirl1930.]

@@TransConservativewaifu are you serious that sounds so cool

[@SnowPeatalsx]

I don't think puritan culture caused it, but I do think it's the Censorship Laws that were introduced by the government.

[@liquifieddonatsu1423]

@@SnowPeatalsx In modern times, or back then? 'cause yeah back then 100% it was the government forcing censorship, but now it's moreso people spouting dangerous rhetorics, and platforms like YT aren't really helping the matter.

[@TransConservativewaifu]

@@SavageGirl1930. thanks and yes I'm series☺

[@Gugunet26]

Betty Boop is underrated, there, I said it

[@sofiabastossamara3534]

well, censorship killed bettyboop

[@shannonxpennywise]

I loved watching Betty Boop as a kid, I used to have it on VHS tape in Black and White.

[@alzoraig]

How about Making a Cartoon Evolution Episode on Tex Avery's Career at MGM (Both on Droopy and One-Shot Cartoons)?

[@am2382]

A hella entertaining episode, kudos to you.

[@bigbadvalentine]

pleaseeee let her be brought back! she deserves it! a loving and faithful revival would be so amazing. This video was honestly depressing, i actually teared up! Poor betty :(

[@popwwrestling3940]

I love Betty. Why? The animation was great. She represents an era is Unique and lovable. Betty is an iconic design and deserves a comeback.

[@Edward_YT_WEC]

Am I the only one who wants a new Popeye-Betty Boop crossover short?

[@printthelegends]

The popped up together-ish on Project Runway a few years ago. Betty was there to issue the designers their challenge for the week, and Popeye showed up to let them all know how he and Betty go way back. Nice nod to the history!

[@maymay5600]

there is

[@YumegakaMurakumo]

@meanybean I honestly ship Betty and Popeye together over him and Olive Oyl. God, I hope someone finds that lost media and Jiminy Cricket doing it to Tinker Bell. Betty and Popeye more than anything.💜

[@davidwesley2525]

@@YumegakaMurakumo The cartoon featuring Betty Boop & Popeye the Sailor is titled " Welcome to Miami ". From what I read online , Betty Boop & Popeye were getting very passionate with each other. No one knows what happened to the cartoon. 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@NeptuneCactus]

I ended up watching almost all of the Betty Boop shorts last year thanks to one of my University professors! I just found the shorts so addicting to watch, and the surreal animation kept me coming back. For whatever reason I'm someone who doesn't hate the post Hayes code era cartoons, just because they're so charming to me. My favorites though are Poor Cinderella, and Snow White! I do hope she makes a comeback in the future somehow, because I've ended up quite a fan. For an example on how the character has basically become an iconic part of the cartoon pop culture lexicon, I reccomend the VERY bizarre webcomic Mr. Boop! Awesome video!

[@hanshe4474]

Once again, great work Dave. I had no idea a famous black performer of the 1930s was credited for Betty Boop's character. And I commend Fleischer for adding black representation in some of their shorts despite the times. I had read about flappy girls during that time, but wasn't aware of the blatant risqué and extremely lewd content they had then. Although some of that has changed, it still remains in certain adult TV shows. But it's cool she was seen as one of the first feminists in cartoons. Betty Boop Meets the King was the first cartoon I saw her in as a kid. I like this new take on her now, and would love to see them make a movie of her. Go Betty!

[@jamesduncan6729]

Betty Boop is the prime example of "nothing lasts forever." She started small, obtained a pretty impressive amount of fame, and then fell off the radar of entertainment. Now, like the video showed, she lives on as a semi-obscure but marketable face to put on merchandise. I'd say, of all possible outcomes, this one isn't so bad.

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

Yup. By the 40s, Betty's star had gone out. But she did begin to experience a resurgence by the 60s as her cartoons began to air on television, albeit the later, less risqué ones. She has managed to live on, but she's not nearly the superstar that she was, and isn't as marketable as other characters like Disney and Looney Tunes.

[@mechajay3358]

_Betty was one of the OG Best Girl._

[@megalosaurusstudios2]

Agreed

[@shoknifeman2mikado135]

My fave BB appearance was in "Poor Cinderella", where she was allowed to go beyond her "innocent little victim" persona.

[@prettyinpink903]

I would love to see more Betty Boop. She’s awesome!

[@OctoCoochi69]

oh my god I've been literally DYING for you to make a Betty Boop video

[@DaveLeeDownUnder]

Hope it didn’t disappoint!

[@davidwesley2525]

@@DaveLeeDownUnder Excellent video on Betty Boop.🤩🤩🤩

[@thegayghost872]

Honestly, the only thing that really needed to be changed about Betty was her age. I wouldn't mind seeing her come back on something like Adult Swim.

[@arissimion67]

Betty always well be cute. 100% Cute. And she is so sweet. 1930 wow. Amazing.

[@davidwesley2525]

BETTY BOOP is CUTE & FOXY.🤩🤩🤩

[@ELOVE4U]

Who is Betty Boop? Trailblazer, Ahead of her time, Pioneer, Stand for women rights, Cute as a button, The first cartoon sex symbol, and she wonderful.

[@karlottak7012]

Boops on legs straight out the imagination of a middle aged guy. What an icon

[@AmeliaRosalinaTheHedgehog]

Betty is such a cute and adorable character I love her so much

[@IceProphecy-ig2ch]

My favorite short of Betty is actually the first I had ever watched: St. James Infirmary. Before then, I didn’t know that she was anything more than a merch thing. That short gave me interest in old cartoons, Jazz, swing, and Cab Calloway. Old Man of the Mountain is a close second as a favorite.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Betty Boop had gone through quite the evolution, and was Definately worth it! Its not easy creating an icon like her, and she will always be a beloved Goddess of animation!

[@GageTheMatewielGurl]

It's 2021 and I'm still waiting and hoping for a new Betty boop cartoon series

[@CrazyDatPersona]

I didn't know anything about Betty Boop until I saw a few products when I was several years younger. I ask my mom who she was, and she told me it was Betty Boop. Since then, I've only seen of a few of her shorts and see her products here and there.

[@davidwesley2525]

BETTY BOOP is my all time favorite cartoon character , all time favorite actress , & all time favorite female celebrity . Been looking forward to seeing this video.🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@flowertrue]

You know with a new depression looming on the horizon, there's a new interest in the Great Depression. I think somehow there's a place for her now. And I vaguely remember watching the Romance special. He sang I only have Ice for you which young me thought was hilarious.

[@Hexapoda.Resident]

The Cotton Club, the unknown source of the American entertainment culture, almost everything have it roots there, everything from Michael Jackson's moonwalk and today's Electro Swing.

[@ciaras.tishereandilikepota8519]

She was one of my favorite cartoons to watch as a kid. I'm 14 now and still love her💕

[@LILGHETTI]

The original betty boop looks kind of creepy 😂 Great video as always Dave!

[@armyshope]

I know but she was cute

[@RayPointerChannel]

If you mean in her first appearances where she was overweight with the floppy ears, I agree. But she had no designated name yet. As she approached a more human type character, she became known as Betty Boop.

[@chaoticneutral7976]

So she started out as an anthropomorphic poodle...Betty Boop is technically a furry

[@sophiehelena6737]

reverse furry

[@themoviefanatic4625]

Anthrppomorphic animal: Exists Literally everyone: FURRY-

[@louise4152]

was

[@violetarena995]

Chaotic Neutral Betty Boop walked the furries could run.

[@crystalrosefarms8778]

You're not w r o n g

[@ziraspride1564]

Betty boop is amazing. She deserves more recognition.

[@Ubritoons96]

Darn, this specific cartoon evolution is so fascinating to watch. I think I watched it up to eight times at this point, even months after the original upload date. It was so interesting to learn about not only Betty’s history, but also be humble beginnings of the Fleischer brothers. This documentary was greatly narrated and well researched. This is currently my favorite cartoon evolution video of yours to date Dave. Please keep up the good work.

[@kimmylovesvintage3931]

yayyy! Have been waiting for this! betty boop is one of my favorite classic cartoons!

[@RealWatch1]

Felix and Betty in a cartoon switch is something I never thought that existed but I wanted to see

[@borderlinepup1603]

I always loved Betty! My dad showed me ever one of her animations when I was a kid and I just fell hard for her sweet personality and sexy style! She really is an icon and needs to be revived but for adults! Not teens or kids, really let Betty have the brand she should have had!

[@davidwesley2525]

Betty Boop is Loved by both Adults & Children . Have Betty Boop cartoons suitable for adults & older kids.🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩❤❤❤

[@tonymata8070]

She might be forgotten by some but I'll always remember her and have a deep admiration towards this character, maybe she'll return in a big way someday.

[@jacoblakins6628]

Another great and insightful video, Dave. It really is sad how many classic characters eventually decline in popularity until they just fade away into obscurity. They really are like failed Hollywood movie stars. Hopefully someone someday will find the right way to bring them back and help them shine once more.

[@bobcharlie2337]

Great video. Cab Calloway sung The Old Man of The Mountain. One of my favorite Betty Boop cartoons.

[@DaddyOfTheSugarVariety]

Your videos always brighten my day!

[@DaveLeeDownUnder]

Thank you!

[@ClownBtch]

My grandma told me that she was obsessed with betty boop as a kid. I remember that we used to have a VHS tape with a couple of the shorts and I would watch them with her. Those bring back some good memories. Though i didn't understand anything that was going on, i enjoyed watching her and the other characters move around on screen. Besides the many fandoms that i have been in, vintage cartoons are another thing that got me into art. I remember making really bad doodles of the characters and looking back it kinda made me cringe. But those were some good times.

[@nickelstew]

I love these cartoon evolutions. Keep up the good work!

[@marvint9181]

betty boop was nostalgic to me during early 2000s

[@elizalol222]

Ok but Betty in a suit is absolutely amazing so 🥱

[@christopherbower3828]

Such an awesome, well researched and really entertaining video. Always loved Betty. Thanks so much for posting this. Love the cartoon evolutions. 🙂

[@kimmylovesvintage3931]

you should the evolution of little lulu next. another one of my favorite classic cartoons.

[@catherincoreas483]

I love Betty boop cause I love vintage

[@sir1junior]

This was mind blowing!

[@SoundBlackRecordings]

I'm happy your video is so comprehensive!

[@charliepea]

My most favourite thing about Betty Boop is her movement whenever she's idle. She sways her hips and legs like she's keeping up with the rhythm. Gotta give a clap for the animators to add such dynamic to the character.