Search - Betty Boop (Two-Disc Collector's Edition + Free Betty Boop Key Chain) on DVD

A Nice Collection of Public Domain Betty Boop Shorts

Debbie Anne | 06/11/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This set is perhaps the best way to get most of the public domain Betty Boop cartoons. The prints and transfers are nicer than most PD collections, and unlike the Good Times DVD's, they don't add extra sound effects to the films. While the famous films featuring Cab Calloway aren't included in this collection, there are still a few of the classic era Betty Boop cartoons with Bimbo and Koko the Clown, like "Is My Palm Read?" and "Betty Boop's Kerchoo". Also included is Betty's color debut, "Poor Cinderella" (in which Betty is a redhead!) Most of the films here are from the post-code era, though, featuring Pudgy and Grampy. At their best, these later shorts are charming and fun to watch. One shot films featured characters from then-popular comic strips, such as Little Jimmy, the Little King and "Henry, the Funniest Living American", as well as a strange Fleisher original, Wiffle Piffle, in "The Hot Air Salesman". Overall, this is a fun collection showcasing one of the most iconic 1930's cartoon characters. The keychain is nice too, made of a high-quality rubber-like material."

Nice clean 35mm transfers, but mostly post-Hays office with

Paul J. Mular | San Carlos, CA USA | 01/30/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First I'll say that I have the "Lunchbox" version of this Echo Bridge release, but the discs are the same.
I was impressed when I first played the discs. The transfer quality is crisp & clear, from 35mm masters. I suspect the classic LASERDISC set from Republic Home Video may have been the source material.

On the down side, only 6 of the cartoons are from the "Pre-code" era. The other 36 cartoons are from the toned-down Hayes Office era. Fans watching these for the first time will wonder what was so risque about Betty, seen wearing a stylish house-dress in the majority of these. Some of these later cartoons are still enjoyable & creative. Betty's friend Grampy is always clever with his inventions & musically happy about them. They are the highlight of Hayes Office era.

Then there are the "Pudgy" Betty Boop cartoons. Pudgy was Betty's equivilant to Pluto. With a lesson to learn, thay are sappy cute & rarely funny. There are just too many of these produced by the Fleischers, and most are here.

The cartoons are not in chronological order, so you will have to play both discs to see all 6 classic pre-code cartoons.

Until CBS/Paramount home video releases a true complete Betty Boop set from Republic's 35mm masters, this may be the best quality DVD you will get of Betty Boop.

Keep those Lasterdisc (or lesser quality VHS tape) sets released by Republic Home Video.

General rule: GRAMPY = fun, PUDGY = hit the 'next' button on your remote. Hayes office starts in 1934.

DISC 1
BE HUMAN (1936) - Grampy
BETTY BOOP & GRAMPY (1935) - Grampy
BETTY BOOP & LITLE JIMMY (1936)
BETTY BOOP & THE LITTLE KING (1936)
BETTY BOOP'S RISE TO FAME (1934 **pre-code**) with Max & Dave Fleischer in person (Dave plays the reporter).
BETTY BOOP IN BLUNDERLAND (1934 **pre-code**) spoof of Alice In Wonderland
HAPPY YOU & MERRY ME (1936) - Pudgy
HOUSE CLEANING BLUES (1937) - Grampy
THE IMPRACTICAL JOKER (1937) - Grampy
MUSICAL MOUNTAINEERS (1939)
NOT NOW (1936) - Pudgy
STOP THAT NOISE (1935)
SWAT THE FLY (1935) - Pudgy
BABY BE GOOD (1935) - Pudgy
BETTY BOOP & HENRY, THE FUNNIEST LIVING AMERICAN (1935) - Talk about a mis-named cartoon! This has to be the LEAST funniest in this set!

DISC 2-side A
BETTY BOOP'S CRAZY INVENTIONS (1933 ***pre-code***)
CANDID CANDIDATE (1937) - Grampy
DING DONG DOGGIE (1937) - Pudgy
HOT AIR SALESMAN (1937) - Wiffle Piffle (almsot as goofy as Grampy)
IS MY PALM READ? (1933 ***pre-code***)
JUDGE FOR A DAY (1935)
A LANGUAGE ALL MY OWN (1935)
A LITTLE SOAP & WATER (1935) - Pudgy
RHYTHM ON THE RESERVATION (1939) - last true Betty Boop cartoon
TRAINING PIGEONS (1936) - Pudgy
WE DID IT (1936) - Pudgy
BETTY BOOP'S KER-CHOO (1933 ***pre-code***)
GRAMPY'S INDOOR OUTING (1936) - Grampy
LITTLE NOBODY (1935) - Pudgy
MAKING FRIENDS (1936) - Pudgy

DISC 2 side B
MAKING STARS (1935)
MORE PEP (1936) - Pudgy
MY FRIEND THE MONKEY (1939)
NO! NO! A THOUSAND TIMES NO! (1935) - Fearless Fred melodrama spoof.
POOR CINDERELLA (1934 ***pre-code***) COLOR Classic with Betty Boop.
PUDGY PICKS A FIGHT (1937) - Pudgy
PUDGY TAKES A BOW-WOW (1937) - Pudgy
THE SCARED CROWS (1939)
SO DOES AN AUTOMOBILE (1939)
A SONG A DAY (1936) - Grampy
TAKING THE BLAME (1935) - Pudgy
YOU'RE NOT BUILT THAT WAY (1936) - Pudgy

Even though the picture looks great, the price is low, and you get 42 cartoons. This other set has a better selection of pre-code Betty Boop Cartoons:
Betty Boop - The Vintage Collection [Remastered] (2-DVD Set)"

Classic Betty Boop

Wendy Pena | Prairieville, LA | 01/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got this DVD for my kids because they didn't know who Betty Boop was!! They love it!"