Paramount short: Hollywood on Parade (1934) (excerpt)

Excerpt from a 1934 Paramount short that features a live-action "Betty Boop" performance. The excerpt features Bela Lugosi as Dracula plus a couple other Paramount stars of the time (Eddie Borden and Rex Bell).

This is bizarre but interesting as one of only two live-action Betty Boop performances contemporary with the Fleischer cartoons. The other live-action Betty Boop (by Mae Questel) can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v95u7ByP-RU

Lugosi's entry in the IMDB doesn't mention this appearance.

This short aired on AMC in 1995 on a "Betty Boop 65th Birthday" special hosted by Richard Fleischer (Max's son). In introducing the short, Richard identified the woman playing Betty as "consummate flapper" Helen Kane, but that seems to be wrong (especially since Helen Kane was suing Paramount and Max Fleischer around the same time).

The actress is likely Bonnie Poe.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Bonnie
• Poe
• Helen
• Kane
• Betty
• Boop
• Bela
• Lugosi
• Dracula
• Eddie
• Borden
• Rex
• Bell

[rrgomes]

This short played on AMC as part of the "Betty Boop 65th Anniversary Special" in 1995. According to RIchard Fleischer (Max's son) who introduced the short, the woman is Helen Kane.

It's certainly possible that he (or AMC) got it wrong.

[endlesslesboz]

Richard Fleischer.AMC are wrong, anyone can tell that is Bonnie Poe and not Helen Kane, In April 1934, Helen Kane launched a major lawsuit against Max Fleischer and Paramount Productions, and this was made in 1934 was it not?

It is even said by Raypointer that this is bonniepoe

[rrgomes]

I've checked around a bit more and it seems likely that you're right, that the actress isn't Helen Kane and is probably Bonnie Poe (Richard Fleischer and AMC notwithstanding). I've updated the video description to reflect that.

[Cresantstar]

5 Stars <3

But that isnt helen kane or mae questel

It is Bonnie Poe, Who was one of Betty Boops Other voices she is playing Betty Boop Many people well they got this scene mixed up and thought it was Helen kane Its proberly becuse bonnie poe always Says Poop oop a doop poh!if you dont belive me, Watch betty boop in blunderland and the audio makes a perfect match, also ive seen pictures of bonnie poe and that is certainly her, but shes uncredited... sadly...so they asumed it was helen kane

[BellaSilvery]

Cute voice

[lamecasuelas2]

the end is gold!!

[BooppoopaDoop]

I also forgot to add, Betty is being compaired to Clara Bow in this feature, which is funny becuse Helen's lawsuit was going on. It's really a shame that the real Clara Bow didnt appear in this feature, but then the character Betty Boop wouldn't have been the vamp in this feature. Also by the way Bonnie Poe & Mae Questel were also hired as Helen Kane lookalikes, being as they were the only two who looked just like her only "Jewish".

[BooppoopaDoop]

@LapisGarter

Your Right Lapis Garter, it is Bonnie Poe, A big argument always come's out when people discuss this movie short, whenever its Mae Questel or Helen Kane. Although Helen appeared in (Paramount on Parade two times) earlier. This is hollywood on parade, The Actress is always mistaken for Mae Questel/Kwestel, but Its actually uncredited actress Bonnie Poe.

[BooppoopaDoop]

@atombrat

No your wrong, this is Bonnie Poe, Or Bunny Po as some would call her, I have 2 more video's which feature Bonnie Poe, and if you sync her voice up to the video when she appeared in Rambling Round Radio Row it makes a perfect match. FYI Mae Questel already played Betty Boop live in Musical Justice (1931).

[BooppoopaDoop]

This video is very intresting, and clear as a picture i'll add this to my fav box <3

[infrogmation]

And now we know how Betty Boop became a vampire.

[LapisGarter]

It's Bonnie Poe.

[atombrat]

The Betty Boop actress here is 100% Mae Questel, NOT Bonnie Poe.

[tomkellycartoons]

Hahahaha...."break the mono-TONY."

Good one.