Those famous words “Boop-Oop-A-Doop” that are so famously associated with Betty Boop, were first sung on stage in the Cotton Club by a jazz singer named Baby Esther. The “Betty Boop” cartoon character was the subject of a lawsuit by the popular singer Helen Kane, who claimed her singing style had been ripped off. Baby Esther’s performance in some old footage was shown against Helen Kane in trial(1934) which caused Helen Kane to lose her claim against the Fleischer Studios.
In May 1932, Helen Kane filed a $250,000 infringement lawsuit against Max Fleischer and Paramount Publix Corporation for the “deliberate caricature” that produced “unfair competition. While Kane had risen to fame in the late 1920s as “The Boop-Oop-A-Doop Girl,” a star of stage, recordings, and films for Paramount, her career was nearing its end by 1931. Paramount promoted the development of Betty Boop following Kane’s decline. The case was brought in New York in 1934. Although Kane’s claims seemed to be valid on the surface, it was proven that her appearance was not unique. Both Kane and the Betty Boop character bore resemblance to Paramount top-star Clara Bow On April 19, Fleischer testified that Betty Boop purely was a product of the imaginations of himself and detailed by members of his staff. Little Ann Little, Mae Questel, Margie Hines and Bonnie Poe were all summoned to testify.
I couldn’t resist this, folks!
https://www.facebook.com/turhychavzSoulOldies619/videos/10213445242836599/UzpfSTE1NjYxNjI0NzQ6MTAyMTM2MTA1NTY2MDkzNDA/?__tn__=%2CdCH-R-R&eid=ARA3sTEZ80Pd5TfTBpg5NWG3LrcL_aCywsWlb_Ee2xvo6RuIcmQG_Duj1BUGRy81gtyOWrtuwAs9HKOF&hc_ref=ART_IWzB9-Q57n0ORSDrN8Bs29kxE8RCkoAyWxwOfkePOrcK4tW8A_U7SUxUk5_IKNs&fref=nf
I have fallen so in love with the beauty of this lovely black lady. And I am saddened that this is all the information that the world will ever know of her. R.I.P my Queen.
A low down dirty shame, But Esther was just drop dead Beautiful.
Its just sad that the white man stole everything from all races and claimed it as their own..To this day if a white man wants something,,he just takes it with fake fraudulent paperwork..If the whites dont like something you do,,He just makes up what he calls the law and build a warehouse and stick people in until his done getting what he wants…#FUCKING REDNECK CRACKERS….LOWEST FORM OF LIFE AND A WASTE OF A SOUL…
I am in total agreement with Martha. The idiot (Travis Cunningham) comment below proves that he does not know black history or history in general, moreover, need an eye check up because Esther Jones even look like Betty Boop. Just put a “white stamp of approval’ on it and it is just dandy! all of these so call”God-fearing christian” just take and take until they are on their deathbed. The truth will set you free, I mean make you mad!
MY MOM TOLDE OF THIS BACK IN THE 60’S I AM 53/I BELIEVE MY MOM WHO,IS STILL LIVING,AND TO NOTE MY MOM WAS A VAUDEVILLE DANCER.AND A PROFESSIONAL BALL ROOM DANCER.
Boop was styled after Kane, who stole Jones’ style. The cartoonists were unaware of Jones’ existence until Kane filed her lawsuit. Boop was never black or styled after a black woman, but Kane definitely stole her act.
Helen Kane STOLE Esther Jones’ singing style. She ripped it off. The Betty Boop cartoon character even looks like Esther Jones. You have eyes, right? Use them.
Loved your article. Thanks for the info I never knew.
You are so IGNORANT BETTY BOOP IS OF A VERY BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMAN. MEN OF YOUR MIND FRAME I CAN NOT STOMACH. YOUR KIND OF THINKING OF A SO CALLED MAN WHICH IS A LITTLE BOY TRAPPED INSIDE OF A MAN BODY IS WHY I DON’T DEAL WITH STUPIDITY AND OR IGNORANCE AND TRUST ME I KNOW THESE 2 WORDS MEANS THE SAME THING BUT THEY HAVE MANY DEFINITIONS. CHOSE WHERE YOU LAY??? YES, I KNOW WHAT I SAID, AND, NO, I DON’T NEED ANY CORRECTIONS EITHER YOU EGOTISTICAL SELFRIGHTEOUS PUMPUS JERK!!!!
Yes the fuck she did Google the shit I mean damn call it what it is the law suit even said she did & the manager
I KNEW IT AN NO ONE BELIEVED ME
That has been happening for ages! White artists always went down to the clubs where blacks were performing and picked up on their style. They took it back to the white world and capitalized on it. Paramount had to expose the origin of the character because they did not want to pay Helen Kane. It is not surprising that Betty Boop is really a depiction of the a black female who is white-washed to be introduced to whites of the day. The character epitomizes black female sensuality and sassiness of the era. I knew there was a reason that I always liked and connected to the character.
Hi Theresa. The same thing was done with the Lone Ranger. Always stealing.
http://3chicspolitico.com/2014/02/26/black-history-bass-reeves-the-real-lone-ranger/
Theresa, it must be frightening to these white folks to realize the only thing they got going for them is their WHITENESS.
Another character, stolen from comedian Burt Williams hobo character, was Charlie Chaplain’s little tramp.
Esther Jones was the original BETTY BOOP! LOL!. Kane was thinking about how she was trying to figure out her retirement plan! lol!
Ms. Jones was pretty!
Co-opting is what some white folks do best. No elements of creativity, just flat out stealing of ideas and products.
Damn! Just flat out stole Esther Jones singing style and claimed it as her own.
Esther Jones was a unknown black performer, even when singing in that style in the cotton club she got nowhere. Remember those were the racist days… so a black performer wouldn’t get treated right and that is why Esther is classed as Betty’s grandmother. Also did you notice that Betty Boop’s body more or less resembles a black females…