Betty Boop Coaster Set

The History Behind Betty:

Betty Boop made her first American debut on August 9th, 1930 in the Paramount Pictures’ subsidiary Fleischer Studios’ sixth installment of the Talkartoon series.  This debut, titled Dizzy Dishes, was an instant hit.  Betty’s original creator, Grim Natwick, initially cast her as a French poodle with human qualities, but her floppy poodle ears were soon finalized as hoop earrings and her black nose quickly became the button nose of the popular girl we know and love today.  By 1932, in the cartoon Any Rags, Betty was finally a real girl!  Betty first appeared on the silver screen in many supporting Talkartoon roles, but she was such a hit with filmgoers that she quickly moved into a leading role and became the “Queen of the Animated Screen” by 1932.  From 1932 until 1939 Betty’s own series was launched and remained extremely popular, and it still is today! 

Betty’s trademark good looks and overt sex appeal were modeled after famous 1920’s singer Helen Kane, a Paramount Studios contract player, and Clara Bow, a popular silent film actress who unfortunately did not survive the transition to sound due to her thick Brookyn accent.  This accent nevertheless went on to become an integral part of Betty’s signature style.  The most notable voice behind the face was Mae Questel, who performed as Betty from 1931 until her own death in 1998.  Betty is performed today in commercials and other venues by Tress MacNeille and Tara Strong.

Betty as an Icon: 

Betty’s original success is largely attributed to her “Jazz Baby” innocence and flapper style.  Betty’s best appearances are widely regarded to be from her first three years, a time when her films were largely targeted at adults and featured somewhat racier content.  Betty also immortalized the struggles between the modern era and the older generations; Minnie the Moocher is perhaps the one film which best defined Betty Boop as a teenager at odds with her parent’s old world views.  Betty’s innocence remained a constant source of comical conflict in her films, and many of her antics on screen centered around her treasured “boop-oop-a-doop.”  Betty was the first animated female character to be given a completely femanized form.  While other female sidekicks at the time, such as Minny Mouse, were portrayed in their bloomers or pyjamas in a more childish manner, Betty wore skirts and dresses and even sported a garter belt.  This break from the traditional animated female heroine is one of the main reasons Betty Boop became such a cult classic.   In 1934, Betty saw a move towards a more wholesome movie experience targeting a younger audience, and was portrayed as a responsible career girl rather than a carefree flapper.  Betty’s favorite pooch Pudgy first appeared in 1934’s Little Pal, and is a popular accompaniment in a wide variety of Betty merchandise today. 

Betty’s popularity in films began to decline as her role in the films became eclipsed by supporting characters and by 1939 the Betty Boop series was coming to a close.  A few attempts were made to bring the jazz era girl into the swing movement of the times, including Rhythm on the Reservation, which featured Betty introducing swing music to inhabitants of a Native American Reservation.   Nevertheless, Betty’s innocent demeanor and fun adventures continue to captivate audiences today.  Her role in revolutionalizing animated films is perhaps one of her lesser known feats but it certainly cemented her place in popular culture today.

Betty Today: 

Although Betty has made cameo appearances in other cartoons such as Popeye, and in the feature film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Betty is best viewed in her original black and white animated series.  You can still see Betty in DVD and VHS box sets and in the thousands of Betty collectibles proudly displayed all over the world.  Today she can be found in countless collectors’ homes, each collectionrepresenting a unique salute to the timeless appeal of the Boop-A-Doop Girl. 

Betty Boop at Music City Card and Gifts:

Own your piece of the legend today with one of our collectible Betty Boop items!  Browse our c0llection of martini and wine glasses, salt and pepper shakers, trinket boxes and more.  These items are a great accompaniment to any Betty memorabilia; we even have lit Christmas ornaments featuring the Boop-A-Doop girl!  Everything you need to complete your Betty collection can be found right here, including one of a kind dolls and figurines!   Collect them all yourself, or give the gift of Betty to someone you love!