The original Canine Betty Boop+The evolution of Fleisher's first heroine.

Why is Betty Boop designed like this in terms of cute cheeks and earrings? Is there a back story to all of this?

"Maverick, You tell them the story of my cheeks and earrings."

Thank you Betty.

The reason for Betty Boop's design being like this is because Betty herself originally didn't start out as a human being.

That's right. Betty was originally a dog.... sort of.

It was August 9 1930. A cartoon called DIZZY DISHES was released in theaters.

This was the debut of Betty Boop herself.

And back then.... well... it's obvious Betty had a much different design.

This very early version of Betty Boop was originally designed to be an anthropomorphic French Poodle. That explains the cheeks she's had ever since. They were meant to look like the jowls of a dog.

"Except, my jowls looked more like a bulldog than a poodle."

"Jowls of a bulldog? I resent that remark!!!"

Alright break it up you two.

Anyway, about Betty's original Canine design.

Betty's design was a mix of a Bulldog and a poodle. The cheeks looked more like that of a bulldog while her ears were more fitting of a poodle.

Another thing to take note of is that nose of hers. 

Yeah... Betty's cute little dog nose. That's another sign of Betty originally designed to be an anthropomorphic dog. And also the earliest example of a cute female character with a cute dog nose design.

Around a good 55 years before Roxanne made Dog Nose Designs Popular.

"Just don't put me in a fight with Betty Boop. I've received all my fighting skills from Peg Pete."

For a short while, Betty kept her original dog nose design.

As well as lose a few pounds of weight since her job at DIZZY DISHES.

Which makes sense considering Betty Boop is supposed to flapper girl from the 1920s despite her series being set during the Great Depression.

Of course, the art designers at Fleischer studios started to notice how human like Betty Boop looked so they decided to Redesign her.

Betty's transition from Canine to pure Human was spearheaded by the late great GRIM NATWICK

"Yes, I spearheaded Betty's transformation from Canine to human."

Betty started off her human appearance in the cartoon MASK-A-RAID but after that, she briefly alternated between her human appearances and her canine appearances.

Finally after ANY RAGS? was released, it was mandated that Betty Boop be human for the rest of her entire cartoon existence. 

Of course Betty Boop only appeared in Black and White.... sort of.

She made her color debut in POOR CINDERELLA in August 1934 but that gave her a more reddish appearance.

Plus, that film used Fleischer's answer to Two-Strip Technicolor which could only do a combination of Red and Green.

That same problem with being limited only to Red and Green Technicolor also plagued Warner Bros' I HAVEN'T GOT A HAT.

But Betty Boop was such a popular character for Fleischer studios that nothing could stand against her way right?

Too bad a combination of the Hays Code

as well as sharing the spotlight with Popeye

diminished her appeal. After her last appearance in YIP YIP YIPPY, Betty seemingly vanished from the face of Classic Cartoons to allow Popeye and his competition to thrive.

But there were multiple efforts to keep Betty Boop alive, even if it was just merchandise

 Statues,

Helen Kane's Lawsuit

Pez Dispensers

"Tweety Bird Pez Dispenser, eat your heart out."

A supportive Cameo in WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT

And no, Three-Strip Technicolor films didn't kill your career Betty. 

Blame it on both the Hays Office and your co-star Popeye.

And of course, a late 2023 stage musical which I didn't realize until looking for research about Betty's past.

Why did I do a post about a former Fleischer star?

I had many other posts to do but their on the backburner for the time being due to my job at the Cafe as well as April 20th.

And good news, My Autodesk Maya subscription has been renewed for another year. I don't know how but it has.

See you next blogpost.