A good deal of the pre-Production Code Betty Boop cartoons are daring and creative, with content that makes one amazed at what's gotten away with. While the later Betty Boop cartoons made after the Code was enforced are still watchable and exceptionally well-made, they are so toned down that they feel bland.
Fleischer were responsible for some brilliant cartoons, some of them still among my favourites. Their visual style was often stunning and some of the most imaginative and ahead of its time in animation. The character of Betty Boop, one of their most famous and prolific characters, may not be for all tastes and sadly not as popular now, but her sex appeal was quite daring for the time and to me there is an adorable sensual charm about her. The good news is that she has not lost her charm, despite being significantly toned down, she is still cute and her comic timing is good.
The pets are very cute and have more than just a cute personality, some also being amusing. The gadgets are a lot of fun and serve a good purpose, though a few are reminiscent of the ones in 'Betty Boop's Crazy Inventions' but not as crazy or as imaginative this time around.
On top of that, the animation in 'The New Deal Show' is as to be expected extremely good, being beautifully drawn, crisply shaded and meticulous in detail. The music is infectious, lush and dynamic. There are some amusing moments and it is cute without being too saccharine. The voice is reliably good.
However, 'The New Deal Show' is practically a plot-less cartoon and is significantly better in the second half than the first. The second half is funny and adorable with catchy music and nifty dancing, but the first half is mostly bland set up and more an excuse to show off Betty's singing. While the song is nice, it takes up too much time.
Vast personal preference also for the Betty Boop cartoons that have a more surreal edge to the visuals and sharper and more risqué material. Although cute and entertaining, there is still a tame feel and blandness.
In summary, reasonable cartoon but Betty Boop has done better. 6/10 Bethany Cox
Fleischer were responsible for some brilliant cartoons, some of them still among my favourites. Their visual style was often stunning and some of the most imaginative and ahead of its time in animation. The character of Betty Boop, one of their most famous and prolific characters, may not be for all tastes and sadly not as popular now, but her sex appeal was quite daring for the time and to me there is an adorable sensual charm about her. The good news is that she has not lost her charm, despite being significantly toned down, she is still cute and her comic timing is good.
The pets are very cute and have more than just a cute personality, some also being amusing. The gadgets are a lot of fun and serve a good purpose, though a few are reminiscent of the ones in 'Betty Boop's Crazy Inventions' but not as crazy or as imaginative this time around.
On top of that, the animation in 'The New Deal Show' is as to be expected extremely good, being beautifully drawn, crisply shaded and meticulous in detail. The music is infectious, lush and dynamic. There are some amusing moments and it is cute without being too saccharine. The voice is reliably good.
However, 'The New Deal Show' is practically a plot-less cartoon and is significantly better in the second half than the first. The second half is funny and adorable with catchy music and nifty dancing, but the first half is mostly bland set up and more an excuse to show off Betty's singing. While the song is nice, it takes up too much time.
Vast personal preference also for the Betty Boop cartoons that have a more surreal edge to the visuals and sharper and more risqué material. Although cute and entertaining, there is still a tame feel and blandness.
In summary, reasonable cartoon but Betty Boop has done better. 6/10 Bethany Cox
