Betty Boop’s Birthday Party (1933)

Betty Boop’s Birthday Party Review

Betty Boop’s Birthday Party is a 1933 animated short film from the Betty Boop series. It is a pretty messy short.

It’s Betty’s birthday, but she’s in the kitchen washing dishes and wishing she had a man. Betty’s pals, including Bimbo and Koko, throw her a party. Yet after two men have a scuffle with a fish, the entire party gets into a fight, leaving the entire party a mess. This short, just like the party itself, became a total mess toward the end. Betty rowing away with George Washington was a memorable, ridiculous ending, but otherwise the party guests fighting with each other was forgettable and uninspired.

The better gags could be found in the much more interesting first half. This is where Betty got the most to do. The piano gag was hilarious and perfectly constructed. It was original and very amusing. The song in the beginning was surprisingly melancholic and sad as Betty sang about being alone and wishing for company. The animation and the soundtrack are both superb as ever. I just wish that the second half were stronger.

Betty Boop’s Birthday Party is excellent in its first half, but inferior in its messy second half. Betty is very memorable in the former section.

My Rating – 3.6