Jazz studies scholar Robert O’Meally, referenced by the Harlem World Magazine, even referred to Saunders as Betty Boop’s “black grandmother.” But somewhere between 19, a white Broadway actress and singer, Helen Kane, caught one of Esther’s performances and almost immediately began using the “boops” in her songs.Īn article at Messy Nessy Chic tells the story of Esther Jones, Helen Kane, and Betty Boop, but only after running down the fascinating history of the Cotton Club itself. She was featured in 90 theatrical cartoons between 1930. Initially, Betty Boop was shown in cartoons as an African American woman. That very same style was heavily imitated by the Betty Boop animated character.

Pssst Youve stumbled across content that is exclusive to Nessys Keyholders. While Helen Kane is the original boop-oop-. Baby Esther had a popular cabaret act at the infamous Cotton Club in Harlem, New York where she sang with a unique vocal style that featured boop-boop-a-doops and other similar scat sounds. Tracing the Real Betty Boop back to a Notorious Bootlegger’s Club in 1920s Harlem. 19 20 21 She originally appeared in the Talkartoon and Betty Boop film series, which were produced by Fleischer Studios and released by Paramount Pictures. There is a lot of confusion surrounding this, even among historians. Tipped to be the next Josephine Baker, her real name was Gertrude Saunders and African American historians believe that she “coined” the famous words “Boop-Boop-a-Doop”, first uttering them on stage at the Cotton Club. Betty Boop is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer, with help from animators including Grim Natwick. The performer herself also took notice of the similarities, and ended up suing the Betty Boop. But karma intervened, as it turned out that Kane did not originate the 'boop-boop-a-doop' act, but appropriated it from a Cotton Club headliner named Esther Jones, also known as Baby Esther. After Betty Boop began to make a splash as a cultural icon, many saw her as a cartoon version of Kane.

Kane was so upset that Fleischer stole her act for the cartoon character that she sued. Kane had made a career with her high voice, big eyes, and the 'boop-boop-a-doop' she would insert into songs. When Grim Natwick first drew the character that became Betty Boop for Fleischer Studios, a song made popular by Helen Kane was the direct inspiration.

Real betty boop