Betty Boop and Grampy

An occasional co-star in the Betty Boop cartoons was Grampy--and I sure wish they'd put him in more of these films. No matter what, I always seem to smile when the cartoon is complete thanks to this delightful character.

The cartoon begins with Grampy sending Betty a note--asking her to bring some friends to his place for a party. Along the way, she asks two movers, a fireman and a cop--all who are in the middle of VERY important jobs. Regardless, they drop everything and accompany Betty. At Grampy's house, he demonstrates several goofy inventions and serves punch and cake. Then, using his thinking cap, he figures out a way to make music so everyone can dance. And, while it's only dancing, I couldn't help but smile as I watched the old coot dance! A simple and sweet little cartoon from start to finish, it's got great imagination, terrific animation (I loved the 3-D look at the beginning) and the music will make your toes tap. What more could you want from a cartoon?

This is a fun little Boop short that really stars Grampy.

Grampy is an eccentric old man that by today's standards might come off as a little creepy. Nonetheless, he's a man with great charm... and gadgets. On Betty's way to Grampy's house, she invites all the easily attracted men in her path and humorous antics follow.

I still can't figure out why Grampy's house is so far away from the road!

I'd recommend this short for it's creativity and good music alone.

The Betty Boop series of shorts were wonderful Grampy is probably my favorite secondary character. Koko was probably the strongest supporting character in the series, but I like Grampy more. This is his cartoon, hands down. He did that more than once in the series. While not the best of the series, one of the better ones certainly. The bulk of the series is in print and available and well worth having. Recommended.

Grampy sends Betty Boop a letter inviting her to a party and asking her to bring the gang. Two piano movers, a fireman and a traffic cop all drop what they're doing to join in. Grampy's various contraptions, and his novel uses for household objects, make his place loads of fun. He even manages to improvise music with an electric fan, a tea kettle, a pair of gloves and a piece of pipe from his oven. Everyone has a good time, but Grampy proves to be the most youthful of the bunch.

Grampy is not a particularly appealing (or unappealing) character; but his inventions are always very funny. Betty has little to do in this cartoon, except attract men to Grampy's party. By the time this was made, the censors had de-Boop-ified Betty: reducing her from a cute little tease to a syrupy sweet goody-two-shoes. At least here she gets to inspire the lust of men willing to cause catastrophe by neglecting their work.

Betty gets a telegram from Grampy to come over to his house "for a little party" and "come right over and bring the gang," he adds. "Ohh," she shrieks, and puts on her hat and heads right over. As she is singing about "Gramy's house" while strutting down the street, she is joined by people who overhear her lyrics and tag along. They literally drop everything (i.e. piano) and follow her.

The rest of the cartoon shows the amazing inventions in Grampy's house and, believe me, they are a hoot to see and hear (such as the clever way he produces music for the party.)

This is great stuff - a "feel-good" cartoon, if I ever saw one.