Betty Boop-1932-I'll be Glad when You're Dead You Rascal You

[iMernerner]

Flying Singeing Armstrong's head - betty boop exclusive

[IExposeMormonism]

not racist maybe it's anti animal, I see a lot of animals being abused. Maybe it's pro musician. I see a lot of musicians getting free advertising.

[Marbles471]

I love this wonderfully bizarre cartoon, and can't get over how the rowdy New York street kids who made these weren't even TRYING to be weird and surreal. They were just young punks who were making cartoons they thought were funny. But today, these come off as mini masterpieces of Dada surrealism. XD

BTW, those who say "this cartoon is super racist" and those who say "it's not racist at all" are both utterly wrong. The truth, as usual, is much more nuanced than either extreme.

[305savage]

the comments on these cartoons really and trully show the face of America then and now... but what can you do? expose the truth and hope those who can be convicted are... its a long road to justice God bless us all...

[georgeb00th2]

@305savage "now"???  Not this cartoon. It is irrelevent to today.

[prisecheck]

these cartoons were a breakthrough in their time for even having supported many african american artists. to even call them racist makes you sound pretty ignorant

.

[prisecheck]

these cartoons were a breakthrough in their time for even having supported many african american artists. to even call them racist makes you sound pretty ignorant.

[Muzikman127]

Never mind racist- neve rrealised how trippy these old cartoons were until now :')

[ziggycat999]

Some may call it racist but I enjoy their existense in our history.

[dfarmbrough]

They were products of their times. They were probably not as sensitive in their treatment of race as we would expect now, but they were innovative, in 1932 Dave Fleischer was a genius the way he incorporated the live action head in here with the cartoon. And the music is timeless - if you enjoy this why not come to the Betty Boop Festival in Wisconsin on 28th -31 July 2011! :-)

[phantombunny]

this isn't racist. It has loui armstrong actually in it. I think the cartoon is ironic. maybe even satirical.

[MontylounMommytoo]

Call me crazy, but if it were racist, would Armstrong have agreed to be a part of it in the first place?

[Muzikman127]

@MontylounMommytoo If an African American jazz musician refused to accept work that was based on racial stereotypes in the 30s, then with respect they wouldn't have been on TV at all.

[rerememe2002]

I watched 7:10 minutes of it and am still at a loss as to where it was "racial."  I think the "kosher" just meant he was fit to be eaten. Outside of that, it was a silly - but fun - video featuring one of my favorite performers: Satchmo! Thanks for sharing this gem. :)

[jkfan2005]

I searched for this after seeing the cartoon the second time-- so, the speedometer goes to 90, then 100, then question mark, then exclamation mark, then "kosher" in Hebrew. I don't suppose it matters WHAT it says in Hebrew, it's just funny. (In modern times, it probably would have said something less polite, such as H.F.S.)

[KorparnasTid]

Most 'racist' cartoons weren't actually all that racist. :P And if you compare cartoons like this, Coal Black and de Sebbin Dwarves to the Princess and the Frog it's obvious which are the better cartoons. Sure cartoons are more politically correct now, but they certainly aren't better...

[rerememe2002]

@KorparnasTid Films like this one were outlets in the era for people of black descent (as well as other ethnicities and creeds) to have exposure and make themselves known, much like today we have videos and movies that feature women and gays in prominent roles. It was especially important in the early 1900s because, with people being highly segregated (Italians, Blacks, Jews, etc. in their own neighborhoods) they often didn't have exposure to one another like we do today with film and Internet.

[2emeraldeyes]

@KorparnasTid - politically correct isn't better either. It's called mind control. We no longer have the liberty we had back then in this country. Anyways, this wonderful vintage American cartoon is not racist at all. To this day there are still cannibalistic tribes all over the world.

[2emeraldeyes]

@KorparnasTid - cont. It's not racist just real. Also you didn't hear of the great Louie Armstrong whining about his role in this cartoon, he was probably glad to give rights to use his stuff. Now everyone seems to whine about any little thing unless it's about the white race, then of course it's okay to bash and make fun.

[modsrockershippies]

When the head turned into Louis Armstrong, I laughed for 10 minutes.

[sillygrl23]

RUN KOKO RUN! Racist or not I still enjoy watching these Betty Boop cartoons

[MightyAlz]

Look, the tribal thing cannot be a racial reference - Betty Boop had tons of black musicians appearing in it and only this one features this stereotype.

I think it's more to do with Louis' crazed, cannibalistic growling and grunting...

[dybbuk4640]

racism is in the eye of the beholder on this one

[Bellalisa]

She winked when a monkey was waving a banana at her, the Jewish guy has a big nose, the cannibals are portrayed as Africans, and look like monkeys. And to top it all off, they make fun of one of my favorite musisians (sp?)

[Weasler455]

Weird!!!!

[GodCreatesGays2]

@Weasler455 admits, "Weird!!!!"

But you wouldn't be if you finally agreed to getting psychiatrist help. Your sick, deviant youtube postings are a cry for help. I hope you get it.

[Weasler455]

@GodCreatesGays2 Fuck you, gerbil loving faggot.

[GodCreatesGays2]

@Weasler455, just so you know, when you sign your name, you should use BIG letters. In your post, your name should have been written as Gerbil-Loving Faggot.

No need to thank me for schooling you again.

[GodCreatesGays2]

@Weasler455 mewls, "Fags CAN become normal if they really want to."

Then...why don't you?

[Weasler455]

@GodCreatesGays2 I already AM! I'm straight.

[hulakan]

I think it's actually "Victrola", an old brand of early record player.

[trime1851]

Interesting and strange!  A quote that I like, but have forgotten the author, is that:

"The past is like a foreign country - things are different there"

I enjoyed seeing a view of this different, foreign, past world.

[TheWhatsinaname]

@trime1851 Not that it was right or wrong either way. But as a history major one of the things you are taught it isn't a good idea to judge the past or people in the past in terms of what is known or the mores of the current times.

[hotwheelschik1]

not the most racist betty boop cartoon iv seen. id be scared if a jiant floating head was chasing me too tbh. :¬P

[ganjjamon]

not racist. it was the times man. not even tha tv exist.

[laranze]

"you bought my wife a bottle of coca cola, so you could play on her vigola"??? that just crazy

[Marbles471]

It's "vitrola", but the metaphor still stands! ;]

[Weisslander]

Now this is a rarely seen classic! I wouldn't exactly label this cartoon as racist since the talents of young Louis Armstrong (Sachmo) were enjoyed by both blacks and whites alike. In the days of the depression, Louis was very fortunate to be featured in such a cartoon.

[RandomentalTV]

i find it racist because the drummer is portrayed to be one of the cartoon characters banging on the wooden drum when betty was tied up.

[305savage]

@Weisslander you seem so serious... smh