The Fleischer Studios - Where Betty Boop Began Life

The Fleischer Studios

Fleischer Studios, Inc. is an American corporation which originated as an animation studio located at 1600 Broadway, New York City, New York. It was founded in 1921 by brothers Max Fleischer and Dave Fleischer, who ran the company from its inception until being fired by parent company Paramount Pictures in January 1942.

In its prime, it was the most significant competitor to Walt Disney Productions, and is notable for bringing to the screen cartoons featuring Koko the Clown, Betty Boop, Popeye the Sailor and Superman.

The Out Of The Inkwell comic strip

Koko the Clown cmic strip - Out Of The Inkwell

The company had its start when Max Fleischer invented the rotoscope which allowed for extremely lifelike animation. Using this device, the Fleischer brothers got a contract with Bray Studio in 1919 to produce their own series called Out Of The Inkwell which featured their first character, Koko the Clown. This became a very successful series which gave them the confidence to start their own studio in 1921.

Betty Boop & Popeye the Sailor - b&w film archive

Betty Boop and Popeye the Sailor Man (film archive)

The Superman series was Fleischer Studios' most successful late period project. However, this late success did not help the studio lift its financial trouble. The expanded staff of the new Miami studio created a high overhead, necessitating steady production.

Betty Boop with friends On Air on the radio (drawing)

Betty Boop 1930s film archive