Betty Boop

Betty Boop is an animated cartoon character who stars in the Talkartoon and Betty Boop series of films produced by Max Fleischer. These series were released by Paramount Pictures from 1930 to 1939. Additionally, Betty Boop has continued to show up in repackaged compilations oof her films, as well as a cameo in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Betty Boop was based on the real-life singer Helen Kale, who was known for her "boop-a-doop" trademark, from which Betty Boop's name is derived. With her overt sexual appeal, she was the first female sex symbol in animation history and a big hit with theater-goers. Although Betty was very popular for her time and loved by many, diputes between private film rating organizions and the Hayes Office led to a change in her demeanor and attire. The once very short dress that showed off her garter was lengthened almost to the knee and sleeves were added to create a very conservative young woman. Betty also changed from a fun loving character to one that prefered staying at home away from the men that normally ogled at her. These changes eventually led to a decline in viewing and popularity and the Betty shorts stopped production. Despite having been toned down in the mid-1930s as a result of the Hays Office restrictions, her early cartoons remain very popular today.