Betty Boop Controversy

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Betty Boop Controversy

History - The Animated Characters

Betty Boop in classic girlie pose

You might wonder why I've decided to build this page? When you think of Betty Boop, you think cheeky, sexy women, all fun and games, right? Well not always! In her early days, our little minx was surrounded by controversy. At times it was more like Boop Oop De Oops!

Yes, it wasn't always wine and roses for Betty. In April 1934, Helen Kane, whose popularity had waned since her debut in 1929, filed a lawsuit against Max Fleischer, Fleischer Studios and Paramount Pictures for $250,000.

Helen Kane posing as Betty Boop (in sepia)

Helen Kane posing as Betty Boop (in sepia)

She claimed that Betty Boop had stolen her fans. Max Fleischer gave testimony that Betty Boop was not based on Helen Kane (which was untrue - Kane was one of the main inspirations for Betty, although she developed other features on her own as the years progressed.)

Max Fleischer holding Betty Boop in his hand

Max Fleischer holding Betty Boop in his hand

Five of the women who had been the voice for Betty Boop appeared in court to deny that they had attempted to imitate Kane's voice. The judge even watched and compared several of Betty's cartoons with some of Helen Kane's films.

Betty Boop on the phone (film archive)

There was testimony that the "Boop Oop a Doop" phrase came long before Kane's popularity, as one witness claimed to have heard the phrase uttered in an Edith Griffith song. And on May 2nd, Paramount Pictures was able to locate a film clip of another singer, Baby Esther, who used the same phrase in a song in 1928.