Betty Boop's Rise to Fame

"Betty Boop's Rise to Fame" is one of the best Betty Boop cartoons and it's held up very, very well over the years. I think part of this is because the film gives you a look at two of the big driving forces behind these cartoons--Max and David Fleischer. I think it also helps that the strange style is a nice look at the origins of the Boop cartoons--a look back to the earlier Fleischer Brothers cartoons.

This is a part live-action short. A reporter (Dave Fleischer) is interviewing the studio chief (Max Fleischer) and Max is talking about his beloved character, Betty Boop. But instead of just showing her, he quickly draws her and she comes to life---stepping off the page and begins talking with the reporter. She also then performs a few of her greatest hits (actually clips from "Stopping the Show", "Betty Boop's Bamboo Isle" and "The Old Man of the Mountain").

As far as when this cartoon was made, it might interest you to know it couldn't have been made only two months later unless there were massive changes. That's because in July, 1934, the new strengthened Production Code was adopted--and films were 'cleaned up'. In regard to Betty, that meant MORE CLOTHES and LESS CURVES! So, when you see her dancing the topless hula in this one (they do cover her breasts with a lei), you never would have seen that had the film come out after the Code. And, all the countless times Betty strips down and changes clothes, they would have been a lot less suggestive. Let's face it, sex appeal and titillation made Betty Boop and this is certainly her last hurrah, so to speak.

I also love her going in and out of the inkwell--hearkening back to the Into the Inkwell series the Fleischers did in the 1920s and early 30s where characters like KoKo routinely would step out of the inkwell to start the cartoon.

Overall, this is a nice nostalgic look at Betty--one that is filled with amazing animation, live action and fun.

A reporter is curious about the incredibly popularity of Betty Boop, so he interviews Max Fleischer. Betty comes out of an ink bottle and with Max's help recreates some scenes from earlier movies. This is more of a curiosity because it is one of those past compilations--simple clips from features that were done earlier. Other than the creative approach, there is little new here.

This is a bit different in that the famous Max Fleischer, who drew and produced these great animated shorts, interacts with Betty. It's all set up by a reporter (played by Max' brother Dave) wanting an interview.

Max draws Betty (very quickly) and she suddenly comes to life. She calls him, "Uncle Maxie."

What we wind up seeing are some clips from a few other of Miss Boop's cartoons, such as the one she imitates a few singers, such as Fanny Bryce, and then imitates a Hawaiian Hula dancer. This was right before the censors put a little more clothing on her. All she's wearing on top is a lei, and, yes, they draw her breasts in there, albeit not prominently displayed. Her hip movements were pretty sexy, too.

To me, however, the highlight was when Cab Calloway sings with her in a clip from "The Old Man Of The Mountain." The song Cab and Betty do is fantastic, and elevates this short from so-so to good.

As said many times, Fleischer were responsible for some brilliant cartoons, some of them still among my favourites. Their visual style was often stunning and some of the most imaginative and ahead of its time in animation.

The character of Betty Boop, one of their most famous and prolific characters, may not be for all tastes and sadly not as popular now, but her sex appeal was quite daring for the time and to me there is an adorable sensual charm about her, all of those evident here. The Fleischer brothers also make an appearance here, and are both interesting and delightful.

Criticisms for 'Betty Boop's Rise to Fame' are few, though for my liking the clips from 'Stopping the Show', 'Betty Boop's Bamboo Isle' and 'The Old Man of the Mountain' could have been longer and a couple of the transitions from the end of the clips could have been a tad cleaner and slightly less abrupt.

Once again the animation is outstanding, again as always rich in detail and invention. The music and songs are wonderfully jazzy and infectious, putting one in a good mood, the highlight being the Betty Boop and Cab Calloway scene from 'The Old Man of the Mountain'.

Along with the very funny and clever ending, that clip is agreed for me the highlight of the cartoon. The clips chosen however were very good choices and give a real sense of nostalgia, while the Fleischer scenes were a really nice, affectionate touch that added a good deal. The voice acting is very good.

In conclusion, a very nostalgic look at the rise to fame of Betty Boop. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Betty Boop's Rise to Fame (1934)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

This short starts off with Max Fleischer being asked a few questions by a reporter who basically wants to know a few things about Betty Boop. We then "see" some examples of her, which are just clips from three previously made shorts (STOPPING THE SHOW, BETTY BOOP'S BAMBOO ISLE and THE OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN). This short works best when we actually get to see Fleischer drawing up Betty and getting to answer a few questions about her. I thought this here was the highlight of the film but there's no question that the clips are also good enough for what they are. I'm just the type who hates to see editing down things and I just think all three clips would have been better watching them in their entirety. Since all three are available it's easy to see them so that leaves this one here worth watching for the interview footage. The best joke actually happens towards the end when we're back in the studio and Betty jumps into some ink and causes another mess.