The 1930s was a tough decade for the world. In Red Hot Mama, Betty Boop sings, “Hell’s bells/ ringing in my ears /It’s certainly hot / now isn’t that swell/ now somebody’s got / ahold of those bells.” The older generation of the 1930s would likely have been scandalized by such a casual reference to hell, especially since the bells in question may have been a reference to a man’s nether bits.

Even showing the knees was considered promiscuous in some social circles of America and Europe. Just like any generation, the youth of the 1930s dared to rebel against the rules and regulations imposed on them by their elders. In the 1930s, women’s hemlines rarely rose above the knees. For example, in Red Hot Mama, there is a scene in which Betty sings and dances, lifting her skirt to reveal her thighs. Betty Boop is a jazz flapper who has more heart than brains.Įarly cartoons of Betty Boop were fairly risque for the time. This cute, curly-haired character was based on the actress Helen Kane who was famed for her tight, dark curls, large soppy eyes and tiny, pursed lips. Betty Boop’s first appearance was in Dizzy Dishes in 1930 and the little animated temptress went on to perform in the Talkartoon and and Betty Boop animated series. Betty Boop was a cartoon character that was created by Max Fleischer in the 1930s.

Characters like betty boop