Betty Boop’s Big Boss (1933)

Betty Boop’s Big Boss Review

Betty Boop’s Big Boss is a 1933 animated short film from the Betty Boop series. It is a very risqué short.

Betty takes a secretarial job where the boss sexually harasses her. When the police force comes in for rescue, Betty dismisses them in a twist ending that was unexpected and shocking. Needless to say, this movie wouldn’t fly a year later when the Production Code was enforced. It wouldn’t fly today due to its dated sexual politics. Thus, it is very much a product of its time, but mostly for the better.

It is this very specific storyline that worked for me as it represented the Pre-Code era wonderfully. Yes, it might be uncomfortable to watch, but it’s also hilarious in that conclusion where Betty embraced that horrendous boss. The song that she sings was also shockingly suggestive in its lyrics. The boss character is very memorably designed and voiced while his actions did make the first half horror-like as Betty tried to escape from him. The animation and score are lovely too.

Betty Boop’s Big Boss is a dated film when it comes to its sexual politics, but undeniably hugely effective in its twist ending. It’s the most adult Betty Boop short that mostly really works.

My Rating – 4