Some of the information is Boop-Oop-a-Dooping full of SPOILERS. Boop-Oop-a-Doop!
The Original Boop-Boop-a-Doop Girl
| The Original Boop-Boop-a-Doop Girl by Helen Kane |
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| The Original Boop-Boop-a-Doop Girl | |
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Helen Kane Comic Strip |
The Original Boop-Boop-a-Doop Girl[1] was a comic created by Helen Kane, with art by Ving Fuller. Upon learning in 1933 that the Fleischer Studios struck a deal to produce a comic strip based on "Betty Boop"[2] and that negotiations were underway, Helen Kane contacted King Features Syndicate in advance, proposing a comic that would showcase her as "The Original Boop-Boop-a-Doop Girl". Launched on August 5, 1934, the comic strip was exclusive to the New York Sunday Mirror. It ended on October 12, 1934, after 11 weeks.
In the debut strip, Helen spends most of her time trying to distinguish herself from Betty Boop. Helen is running late for her comedy appearance date with the Sunday Mirror editor. She runs across an elderly man who asks her to split a banana split with him on her way to the office. From far above, the workmen watch her pass and exclaim, "Hey fellers! There goes Helen Kane, the "Original Boop-Oop-a-Doop Girl." The crowd surround her, and cheer for her.
The information desk attendant is furious when Helen Kane shows up at the editor's office. He calls her one of the numerous "Oop-a-Doop" copycats (a reference to Mae Questel, Little Ann Little, Margie Hines and Bonnie Poe), and orders Helen to scram and peddle her baby-talk at a nursery.
The editor extends a kind greeting to Helen Kane upon seeing her and invites her into his office. The information desk employee shrinks to the size of a bug and hops into the trash can while muttering, "Boop-Boop-a-Doop," out of sheer embarrassment.
Quotes
- Helen Kane: "O-o-o-N-o-o, I'm late for an appointment with the editor."
- Helen Kane: "Y'know I'm signing with the Sunday Mirror to appear in their funnies."
- Helen Kane: "Just tell him that the original 'Boop-Boop-Pa-Doop' is here!"
- Helen Kane: "I'm awfully sorry, are you mad at me?"
- Helen Kane: "Boop-Boop-a-Doop!"
- Helen Kane: "I'm hungwy! But I'm hungwy!"
- Helen Kane: "Don't worry you silly, silly mans."
- Helen Kane: "I'll throw away every red dress I've got jus' b'cause I loves o-o-o."
- Helen Kane: "Nobody is going to make a nudist of me!"
- Helen Kane: "Ophelia! You have been very neglectful in DUSTING."
Characters
- The Original Boop-Boop-a-Doop Girl
- Ophelia the Maid
- Editor
- Information Desk Attendant
- Inspector Dixon
- Robber
- Kids
- Mr. Guzzle
- Prize Committee
- Mr. Lastvogel
- Benny Bemisch
- Daily Blah-Blah Reporter
- Mr. Randazzel
- Mr. Keyser
Cast & Crew
- Helen Kane as herself
- Ving Fuller (Artist)
Gallery
Trivia
- Despite the failure of Helen Kane's comic, this was an attempt to take on Betty in cartoon form.
- In the debut strip, people surround Kane and scream, "Poo-Poo-Pah-Doo", "Boop-Oop-a-Doop" and "Oop-Oop-a-Doop".
- Kane makes an effort to be risqué in certain comics, but she wasn't well-known for it in real life. But the leading lady of Paramount Pictures, Clara Bow, was renowned for her seductiveness and sex symbolism. Kane being envious of Bow being the one true beauty among stars,[3] and trying to emulate Bow earlier on in her career, may attribute to Kane copying or trying to take on that risqué persona in comic form. Betty Boop could get away with it in her earlier cartoons because she is a fictional character that doesn't really exist.
- There's a unique costume change in each and every strip, Kane in cartoon form is constantly changing her outfits.