Animation

Betty Boop, M.D.

4/5 (1)

“Betty Boop, M.D.” is a 1932 animated short film produced by Fleischer Studios and directed by Dave Fleischer. The film features Betty Boop as a doctor who visits a patient named Koko the Clown, who is suffering from the hiccups. Betty uses various methods to try and cure Koko’s hiccups, including tickling him, feeding him a hot pepper, and even using a machine to scare him.

As Betty tries to cure Koko, the two engage in a series of musical and comedic sequences, including a dream sequence where Koko imagines himself as a conductor leading a symphony orchestra. The film also features a cameo appearance by popular jazz musician Louis Armstrong, who performs the song “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead, You Rascal You” with his band.

“Betty Boop, M.D.” is known for its creative use of music and humor, as well as its surreal animation style. It is considered one of the classic Betty Boop cartoons and remains popular among animation enthusiasts.

Directors:
Dave Fleischer, Willard Bowsky

Stars:
William Costello, Mae Questel

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Betty Boop-Is My Pam Read (1932)

4/5 (1)

“Betty Boop Is My Pam” is a 1932 animated short film produced by Fleischer Studios and directed by Dave Fleischer. The film features Betty Boop as a nurse who visits the home of a bedridden patient named Tom Thumb. When Betty arrives, Tom mistakes her for his favorite actress, Pam, and begins to imagine himself in various scenarios with Betty as Pam.

Throughout the short, Tom’s fantasies become more and more extravagant, with Betty as Pam appearing in a Hollywood film set, a wild west town, and even as a mermaid in an underwater kingdom. Betty plays along with Tom’s fantasies, entertaining him with song and dance, until she finally reveals her true identity as a nurse and tends to his needs.

The film is notable for its use of song and dance, as well as its imaginative and surreal animation style. It also features a cameo appearance by Cab Calloway, who performs his hit song “Minnie the Moocher” during one of Tom’s fantasies. “Betty Boop Is My Pam” remains a classic example of the Fleischer Studios’ unique approach to animation during the golden age of Hollywood cartoons.

Directors:
Dave Fleischer

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Betty Boop-Judge for a Day (1935)

4/5 (1)

“Judge for a Day” is a Betty Boop animated short film released in 1935. The cartoon starts with Betty Boop working as a courtroom stenographer. When the judge goes on vacation, Betty is asked to fill in as a temporary judge for the day.

Betty’s first case involves a group of animals who are in court for various offenses. The animals include a bear, a lion, a kangaroo, and a gorilla. Betty listens to each of their cases and sentences them to punishments that fit their crimes.

The second case is a dispute between a mouse and a cat. The mouse accuses the cat of stealing her cheese. Betty examines the evidence and finds the cat guilty. She orders the cat to return the cheese to the mouse.

The final case involves a man who is accused of stealing a woman’s purse. Betty takes her job as a judge very seriously and presides over the trial with confidence. She examines the evidence, listens to the witnesses, and ultimately finds the man guilty. She sentences him to a year in jail.

At the end of the cartoon, the judge returns and thanks Betty for her hard work. Betty goes back to her job as a stenographer, but not before she gives the judge a playful wink, showing that she enjoyed her time as a judge for a day.

Directors:
Dave Fleischer, Myron Waldman

Stars:
Jack Mercer, Mae Questel

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Betty Boop-A Song a Day (1936)

4/5 (1)

“Betty Boop: A Song a Day” is a 1936 animated short film featuring the iconic cartoon character, Betty Boop. The film follows Betty as she performs a different song each day of the week, accompanied by various musical instruments and animal characters.

The film begins with Betty singing the classic tune “Monday Morning” while playing the piano. On Tuesday, she sings a jazzy number called “Isn’t It Swell?” while accompanied by a group of dancing animals. Wednesday brings the whimsical “Let’s Pretend We’re Sweethearts,” with Betty and a puppy playing dress-up. Thursday’s song, “You’re Not Built That Way,” features Betty and a group of male animal characters in a fun musical number. Friday’s song, “You Try Somebody Else,” sees Betty singing to a group of heartbroken animal characters. Saturday brings the catchy “Do Something,” with Betty and her animal friends getting up to all sorts of musical mischief. Finally, Sunday’s song is the sweet and romantic “Love on a Budget,” with Betty and her beau, Bimbo, enjoying a picnic.

Throughout the film, Betty’s dynamic personality and impressive vocal range are on full display, as she effortlessly moves from one musical style to another. The animation is also notable for its lively and colorful style, with the animal characters providing a fun and playful backdrop for Betty’s performances.

Overall, “Betty Boop: A Song a Day” is a charming and entertaining short film that showcases the talents of one of animation’s most beloved characters. Its catchy songs, lively animation, and memorable characters make it a classic example of the Golden Age of animation.

Directors:
Dave Fleischer, Dave Tendlar

Writer:
Dave Fleischer, Izzy Sparber

Stars:
Everett Clark, Jack Mercer, Mae Questel

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Princess Iron Fan (Tien Shan Gong Zhu) (1941)

3/5 (1)

Princess Iron Fan (Tien Shan Gong Zhu) is a 1941 Chinese animated film directed by the Wan brothers. It is considered the first feature-length animated film in Chinese history.

The film is based on a popular Chinese folk tale, which tells the story of a group of travelers on a quest to obtain the magical fan of Princess Iron Fan, in order to use it to extinguish flames on a mountain blocking their path. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and enemies, including the mischievous Monkey King.

The film was a technical achievement for its time, featuring detailed and intricate hand-drawn animation, as well as the use of a multiplane camera to create depth and movement in the backgrounds. The film also features traditional Chinese music and song, which adds to its cultural significance.

Princess Iron Fan was released during a turbulent period in Chinese history, when the country was at war with Japan. The film’s themes of perseverance and overcoming obstacles in the face of adversity resonated with Chinese audiences, and it became a beloved classic of Chinese animation.

Today, Princess Iron Fan is recognized as an important milestone in the history of Chinese animation, and it continues to be celebrated for its cultural and artistic significance.

Directors:
Wan Laiming, Guchan Wan

Writer:
Wang Gan-Bai

Stars:
Guanxiang Liu, Chen Zhengfa, Zhou Jirang

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Betty Boop: Bamboo Isle (1932)

4/5 (1)

“Bamboo Isle” is a 1932 animated short film featuring the popular cartoon character Betty Boop. The film was directed by Dave Fleischer and produced by Fleischer Studios.

The story begins with Betty Boop and her friends taking a leisurely boat trip in the South Pacific. They soon come across a tropical island inhabited by a tribe of native people, who welcome them with a song and dance.

Betty is enchanted by the exotic beauty of the island and its people, especially the handsome prince, who immediately falls in love with her. Betty joins in the island festivities, dancing and singing with the natives.

However, their joyous celebration is soon interrupted by a group of pirates who arrive on the island and capture the prince, along with Betty and her friends. The pirates plan to sell the natives as slaves, but Betty and her friends manage to escape and free the prince.

In the end, Betty and the prince declare their love for each other and share a romantic moment on the boat ride back home.

The film is notable for its catchy musical numbers, colorful animation, and stereotypical portrayal of native people. It reflects the popular culture of the time, which often depicted exotic locations and people as fascinating and mysterious, but also simplistic and one-dimensional.

Directors:
Dave Fleischer, Seymour Kneitel

Stars:
The Royal Samoans, Billy Murray, Satini Pualoa

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