Max Fleischer

UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, (2003)

A far cry from the wholesome characters being created at the Disney Studios, Betty Boop not only appeared sexy but acted the part. She was often shown undressing and kissing clowns, cats, and other creatures. While other cartoons of the time were focusing on the charming lives of adorable animals, the Fleischers had Betty running around in her slinky costumes, living the life of a provocative young woman. The general trend in movies and cartoons was more respectable, and Betty Boop was bucking this trend. Amelia S. Holberg discussed the differences between Disney and the Fleischers in American Jewish History, "By the time Pinocchio was released, Disney had redefined animation as a children's genre. The very adult Betty Boop, on the other hand, was a flapper, a flashy city party girl, not a respectable lady and definitely not an appropriate character for children's films." The Hays office Production Code was instituted in 1934, and censors transformed Betty Boop into an all-American girl, clothing her more fully and temporarily banning her garter. The series ended in 1939, but there was a Betty Boop revival in the 1970s. She starred in a touring film festival, "Betty Boop's Scandals," and was featured in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1984. 1985 saw Betty Boop's network television debut, and her sixtieth birthday was celebrated in the animated special, "Betty Boop's Hollywood Mystery."

Popeye the Sailor Man

Max and Dave Fleischer followed up their Betty Boop success with another popular character's introduction in 1933. Popeye was a result of stiff competition among animation studios. A key part of the studios' business strategies was the development of cartoon characters whose popularity would guarantee bookings by major theater chains. Disney's Donald Duck and Goofy were developed from smaller roles in Mickey Mouse cartoons, and Warner Bros. created Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck after their initial success in films featuring other animated animals. E.C. Segar created a comic strip called "Thimble Theater" in 1919. He introduced Popeye into the strip as a temporary character, but when Segar attempted to write Popeye out, fans complained and he returned as Olive Oyl's love interest. Max Fleischer requested the right to use Popeye from Hearst's King Features Syndicate and was granted permission two years after Betty Boop's debut.

Due to the very satisfying quality of the first Popeye production, the agreement between Fleischer and King Features was extended to a five-year term even before the film's release. The movie, entitled Betty Boop Presents Popeye the Sailor, marked the beginning of Popeye's highly successful series. Within five years, Popeye was the most popular American cartoon character. Fleischer was so confident, he attempted to convince film distributor Paramount to back a feature-length Popeye movie, but the shorts they created were the most profitable Popeye productions.