A Brief History of Betty Boop: From the Inkwell to the Musical

Boop-Oop-a-Doop! In this special bonus episode, we present A Brief History of Betty Boop: From the Inkwell to the Musical. We begin with the story of Fleischer Studios—the groundbreaking animation house behind Betty Boop, Popeye, and Koko the Clown—and trace how their surreal, adult-oriented cartoons challenged the norms of early animation and stood in stark contrast to Disney’s wholesome image.

In the second half, we turn our attention to Boop: The Musical, the new Broadway-bound show reimagining Betty for a modern audience. From pre-Code symbol to pop culture icon, we explore how Betty’s spirit survives onstage and what it means to bring her back in 2025.

 

A bonus episode tracing Betty Boop’s evolution from 1930s animation to the Broadway stage

First Half

• The founding and influence of Fleischer Studios
• Betty Boop’s origins and status as a pre-Code symbol
• Use of rotoscoping, music, and surrealism in Fleischer cartoons
• The studio’s decline and its cultural afterlife

Second Half

• Overview of Boop: The Musical and its creative team
• How the stage production updates Betty for new generations
• The challenges of adapting vintage animation for live theater
• Reflections on the enduring appeal of Betty Boop

 

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Music by Mike Natale