Betty Boop's Trial

Just watched this Max Fleischer/Betty Boop cartoon on the Uncle John's Crazy Town site. Betty, on her roadster, gets stopped by a traffic cop because, well, because he's infatuated with her and so seem the judge and the all-male jury! Some amusing gags are put in with a song that Betty and the cast sing and dance with gusto. The fact that this came out in 1934 means Betty is still a little flirty what with showing her leg and garter when showing her license and the way they all react to her. By the end of the year, she'd have a character change that would reflect the more strict Production Code being enforced by that time. So basically, Betty as she was would be no more after this year (at least until her cameo in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? some 54 years later). So on that note, I recommend Betty Boop's Trial for anyone curious about this girl's last harrah.

When Betty Boop tries to accelerate her way out of an indecent proposal from a handsome motorcycle cop, she ends up in traffic court for BETTY BOOP'S TRIAL. Will she escape with a clean driving record? (Hint -- the jury is all male.)

There isn't much to say about a six minute short that is not unique or earth-shattering, but does about everything right. The animation, by this time, is quite slick, but the production code has not yet come in to make poor Betty hide her garter belt. As usual, a nice peppy musical score, making use of popular Cab Calloway number (The Scat Song). The men are all good natured lecherous sorts lured by Betty's frisky charms, and Betty herself is a little more frisky than usual.

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. 'Betty Boop's Trial' doesn't disappoint in how Betty is characterised, she is still her sensual and charming self.

'Betty Boop's Trial' is the sort of cartoon that does everything right and very little wrong, but at the same time something is missing in comparison to what made the best Betty Boop cartoons so good. Do have a preference for the more risqué, more surreal cartoons, and one that have more visual imagination. The story also isn't much of one.

On the other hand, once again the animation is very good, again as always rich in detail and beautifully drawn. The music wonderfully jazzy and infectious, putting one in a good mood and enhances the action wonderfully.

'Betty Boop's Trial' succeeds in the entertainment department, with some very amusing gags and with everything going at a brisk pace. As said, Betty is characterised without complaint and the judge is fun too. The voice acting from Fleischer regulars Jack Mercer and Mae Questel is very good.

In summary, a good amusing cartoon and does everything right, but just missing that extra something to make it one of the best. 7/10 Bethany Cox