Fleischer Studios Blog

Betty Boop: The new face of J-esthetic salons!

7/13/2017

Betty Boop as she appears on the Shibuya 109 building in Tokyo.

Betty fans, check this out: the unmistakable visage of our own Betty Boop is appearing throughout Japan in an exciting campaign for J-esthetic salons.

The highlight of the campaign is a Betty Boop J-esthetic commercial running hourly, each day, from 9 AM to midnight on a massive 16 x 28-foot monitor on the outside of the famous Shibuya 109 building in Tokyo.

The salons are operated by Foulbi Co. Ltd., which operates 100+ esthetic salons and day spas throughout Japan.

The entire promotion, including the commercial, is scheduled to run through October... but may well be extended.

The J-esthetics media campaing also includes print and digital ads, posters in transit stations, on subway and trains, print ads, electronic billboards and contests.

Part Two of our Interview with Ray Pointer now online!

7/11/2017

The second installment of our interview with animator, animation historian and author, Ray Pointer is now online in the Fleischer Studios Online Museum!

As our fascinating discussion continues, Mr. Pointer reflects on the marriage of art and technology that defined the old "studio system" of cel animation behind so many of Fleischer Studios' greatest films and most significant innovations.

You'll find the new installment, entitled Art & Technology, HERE.

You can find part one of our discussion HERE. Stay tuned for even more of our discussion with Mr. Pointer in the coming weeks!

Ray Pointer is the author of The Art and Inventions of Max Fleischer.

Now on CBCRadio: How the 'independent, sexy, smart' Betty Boop continues to stay relevant after 87 years

6/24/2017

Hear it now! Mark Fleischer, CEO of Fleischer Studios and grandson of Max Fleischer, sat down with CBCRadio's Tom Power, host of q, for a fascinating discussion about Betty Boop. Touching on everything from her origins, to her incredible longevity, her status as an American icon and her enduring relevance, this is an interview you simply do not want to miss!

Now, thanks to CBCRadio online, you can hear the entire interview anytime you want! Just click here, sit back and enjoy!

Betty Boop to star in 2018 Spring/Summer Collection from Moschino

6/13/2017

Check out these fabulous new looks strutting the catwalk last week in Los Angeles!

Our very own Betty Boop took center stage June 8th at a glamorous and star-studded preview for designer Jeremy Scott’s Moschino Spring/ Summer 2018 Menswear and Women’s Resort Collection.

Model Hailey Baldwin walked the runway sporting items from the new collection that is expected to hit stores in February 2018.

The collection will include jackets, pants, skirts, dresses, sweaters, T-shirts, tank tops, crop tops, sweatshirts, hoodies and swimwear, plus accessories like bags, backpacks, clutches, phone covers, scarves, ties and umbrellas.

Betty’s puppy Pudgy will also have his own mini collection of T-shirts and sweatshirts, sweatshirt dresses, backpacks and scarves.

The collection will include items for men, women and children, so the entire family can be outfitted in Moschino style gear featuring Betty Boop and Pudgy!

(click photos to enlarge)

Ray Pointer discusses "The Art and Inventions of Max Fleischer" on the Stu Show - May 17

5/15/2017

Don't miss the Stu Show on Wednesday, May 17 at 4:00pm when Stu interviews animation director, historian and author Ray Pointer about his recently released book The Art and Inventions of Max Fleischer: American Animation Pioneer.

Plus, following this live, in-depth and very insightful audio interview, Ray will share some rare animated and live action shorts in a bonus internet TV broadcast!

Dedicated to the history and heritage of television, and the celebration of its pioneers, the Stu Show can be found online here.

The interview will also be available for download an hour after the live broadcast so you can enjoy it whenever you want.

Bring the Noise: Gulliver's Travels coming to LACMA!

5/8/2017

Los Angeles fans, mark your calendars! On Thursday, May 11th, LACMA's Independent Film series will present the fourth film in its Bring the Noise series: Fleischer Studio's animated classic, "Gulliver's Travels."

Bring the Noise invites musical artists to compose an original score for one of their favorite films, and play the score live in real time to accompany the movie. This very special event will present the music of Inc. No World (featuring brothers, Andrew and Daniel Aged.)

Bring the Noise: Gulliver's Travels
Thursday, May 11 at 7:30
at LACMA's Bing Theater
Tickets and more information here.

The Very Betty Takeover: ELLE Magazine unveils a modern, and very stylish, take on Betty Boop!

4/18/2017

Betty has her copy of ELLE. Do you?

Check out our own Betty Boop sporting a modern new look and fabulously updated wardrobe in the May Issue of ELLE Magazine - on newsstands and online now!

This very special feature re-imagines Betty as "the consummate ELLE woman, circa 2017; an in-demand Manhattanite, running the show in a new, very now job (chief ideas officer at music-streaming start-up Music.ly), with a wardrobe hot off the spring runways."

Always the trailblazer, Betty is the first cartoon character to "takeover" the pages of ELLE Magazine. Congratulations, Betty!

Check out all of Betty's new looks, featuring designs from Balenciaga, Jennifer Fisher Jewelry, Louis Vuitton, Céline and Off-White, at: http://www.elle.com/culture/a44347/a-very-betty-takeover/

Betty's new wardrobe features designs by: Balenciaga, Jennifer Fisher Jewelry, Louis Vuitton, Céline and Off-White

Audible Thought Balloons - an interview with Ray Pointer

3/21/2017

Ray Pointer's book, The Art and Inventions of Max Fleischer, is the result of more than 40 years of investigating and studying Fleischer cartoons, and the work of Max Fleischer in particular.

As you can imagine, we were curious to talk to Mr. Pointer about this exciting new publication: what led him to write it? What has been the impact of Fleischer Studios, and its innovative work, on animation history?

For this interview we matched Mr. Pointer with Jane Reid, a member of the Fleischer Studios Board of Directors ... and Max Fleischer's granddaughter!

Click here to read Part One of this fascinating and wide-ranging interview series!

Betty Goes A-Posen!

2/24/2017

Betty Boop and Zac Posen co-star in “Betty Goes A-Posen,”
Betty Boop’s first animated short for the Digital Age!

We're thrilled to share this wonderful, whimsical new animated short featuring Betty Boop, Pudgy and an animated Zac Posen.

Created to celebrate the launch of Zac Posen's new Betty Boop-inspired dress designs, MAC Cosmetics' new Betty Boop Lipstick (both featuring Pantone's new shade of Betty Boop Red) and Betty’s gorgeous fashion layout in the March issue of Marie Claire Magazine, "Betty Goes A-Posen" is a wonderful reminder that some things - and some characters - never go out of style!

A New Dress Collection from Zac Posen, "Betty Boop Red" by Pantone, Betty Boop Red Lipstick from M·A·C Cosmetics and a spread in "Marie Claire!"

2/15/2017

Zac Posen and Crystal Renn in the March issue of "Marie Claire."

Betty Boop stepped into the spotlight this week with the help of some of the world’s biggest arbiters of fashion, color and style: Zac Posen, Pantone Color Institute, M·A·C. Cosmetics, and Marie Claire.

In the March issue of Marie Claire, on stands now, global fashion designer Zac Posen reveals his signature Betty Boop dress collection featuring the exclusive Pantone “Betty Boop Red,” which is also the inspiration behind M·A·C Cosmetics’ new “Betty Boop Red” Lipstick.

Zac Posen and Crystal Renn in the March issue of Marie Claire

M·A·C. Cosmetics' Betty Boop Red Lipstick

These exciting new releases also coincide with the release of three new, original animated shorts starring Betty Boop, featuring Zac Posen as an animated cartoon co-star, and spotlighting the new Betty Boop Red Lipstick by M·A·C.

The Betty Boop dress collection - featuring two red dresses that embrace Betty's spirit and unique style - are available on ZacPosen.com as part of Posen’s ZAC Zac Posen line. Betty Boop Red Lipstick from M·A·C. Cosmetics is available at MACCosmetics.com.

“As a cartoonist, I consider Betty Boop the 8th Wonder of the World,” said Frank Caruso, VP/Creative, King Features Syndicate. “When Max Fleischer dipped his pen into the inkwell, out came a masterpiece that would influence generations of artists, animators, musicians and fashion designers.

“The marathon that is Betty Boop has outrun her legend as animation icon and taken the lead in the world of fashion, style and our hearts,” Caruso said.

We couldn't agree more!

Read the full press announcement here.

Check out Betty Boop in USA Today... today!

2/10/2017

It's Betty Boop to the rescue in a cartoon featuring Zac Posen. (Photo: Courtesy Fleischer Studios, Inc.)

Check out USA Today online for a sneak peak at Betty Boop's all new animated short co-starring Zac Posen and featuring MAC Cosmetics and Pantone!

Thanks to the wonderful folks at USA Today, you'll also get a very special first look at Zac Posen's gorgeous, new, Betty-inspired collection.

And tune-in to Betty's Facebook page, and Fleischer Studio's Facebook page to see more this weekend!!

Betty Boop Gets Ready to Walk the Red Carpet at the 14th Annual Woman's Day Red Dress Awards and Celebrate her Appearance in March Issue of Magazine.

2/7/2017

Partnership between Woman’s Day,
Fleischer Studios and King Features
Introduces Betty Boop as the
“Heroine of Hearts” in Custom Comic
to Honor Fight Against Heart Disease

NEW YORK, February 7, 2017 -- Woman’s Day has been a leader in the fight against heart disease – the number one killer of women – for more than a decade. In the March 2017 issue, Woman’s Day joins forces with Fleischer Studios and King Features to present heart health information to readers in a fresh and innovative format.

To help educate women on the importance of heart health, King Features created a three-page custom comic strip starring the iconic Betty Boop™ as the “Heroine of Hearts” exclusively for Woman’s Day. The comic follows Betty as she battles the evil Dark Heart while sharing important information to illustrate simple ways women can protect against heart disease. This partnership marks the first time the two legacy brands have come together for a fun, unique approach to a serious topic.

Click here to see Betty Boop's comic strip in Woman's Day
and get a promo code good for 25% off your purchase of any
Betty Boop's exclusive Heroine of Hearts merchandise on Zazzle!

To celebrate the comic, Betty Boop will be making a special appearance on the red carpet at Woman’s Day’s premier heart health event, the Red Dress Awards, on February 7, 2017. The 14th annual Red Dress Awards honors those who have made significant contributions in the fight against heart disease. Hosted by actress Jane Lynch and headlined by multi-platinum Grammy® Award and Oscar® winner Melissa Etheridge, honorees include wellness expert Laila Ali, Associate Director for Research on Women’s Health at the National Institutes of Health Janine A. Clayton, M.D., and Miss Black Alabama USA 2016 LaQuitta “Shai” Wilkins. Woman's Day will also honor Holly Andersen, M.D., Scientific Advisor for the Women's Heart Alliance, who will receive the 2017 CocoaVia® Healthy Heart Award. Scientific Advisor for the Women’s Heart Alliance Holly Andersen, M.D.

In addition to the unique Woman’s Day comic strip, the artwork created for “Heroine of Hearts” will be featured on a merchandise collection available exclusively from Zazzle.com. The collection includes a wide range of products, including apparel, accessories, novelty items, and more featuring three unique Betty Boop poses from the comic strip. The “Heroine of Hearts” product line is available exclusively at http://www.zazzle.com/bettyboop. Working closely with brand owner Fleischer Studios, King Features is Betty Boop’s exclusive worldwide licensing agent.

Click here to check out Zazzle's exclusive line of Betty Boop "Heroine of Hearts" merchandise!

In celebration of the Betty Boop/Woman’s Day partnership, King Features and Woman’s Day will make donations to several women’s heart health organizations.

“It is so important that women have access to information on heart disease and ways in which it can be prevented. We are very excited to work with Woman’s Day to help educate women about their heart health with tips from Betty Boop in her latest comic strip,” said Frank Caruso, VP/Creative of King Features.

TCM's evening of Fleischer Family films - November 13!

11/10/2016

When: November 13, 2016
Where: TCM
8pm EST - 7pm CST - 6pm MST- 5pm PST
Check your local listings
or the TMC website
for more information:

That's right! On Sunday, November 13, TCM is dedicating an entire evening of entertainment to the work of Max, Dave and Richard Fleischer and it's all co-hosted by Mark Fleischer, Max's grandson and the CEO of Fleischer Studios.

This amazing evening begins with two Fleischer Studios classics: Popeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor (1936) and Popeye the Sailor Meets Ali Baba's Forty Thieves (1937). Together, these films represent two of only three "two-reeler" or long-form color films the Fleischers made featuring Popeye.

If you're interested in learning more about the creation of these very special films, take a look at Magic in Miami in our online museum. The exhibit features a 1938 episode of Popular Science that details the process of animation during this period, and even features the making of one of these amazing long format films.

The TMC evening continues with two films directed by Max's son, the acclaimed film director Richard Fleischer: the noir classic The Narrow Margin (1952) followed by the sci-fi thriller Soylent Green (1973) starring Charlton Heston. Thanks to animation historian Ray Pointer for helping to make this wonderful event into a reality. Ray's upcoming book The Art and Invention of Max Fleischer: An American Animation Pioneer is due to be released in December of this year.

From start to finish that's more than 4 hours of Fleischer films, covering 35 years of film making, and featuring 3 generations of the Fleischer family. You don't want to miss this!

New Betty Boop Comic Book Now Available!

10/4/2016

We are absolutely thrilled to report that Dynamite Entertainment's gorgeous, and highly anticipated, new comic book series - starring our own Betty Boop - is now available!

Betty Boop, animation's original leading lady, returns to the printed page for the first time in 30 years thanks to the talent and artistry of award-winning writer Roger Langridge (The Muppets) and artist Gisèle Lagacé (Archie). The series features all new adventures with a retro-flare that harkens back to the original Fleischer films and includes Betty's well known pals Koko the Clown and Bimbo.

Betty Boop #1, the first comic book, is available with four totally different covers that you can chose from. Each cover features the work of an all-star cast of creative Betty admirers including the legendary Howard Chaykin (American Flagg!), Roger Langridge doing double-duty as an illustrator and series interior artist Gisèle Lagacé, as well as a special Max Fleischer character sheet. Special edition variations will also be available, including a "Coloring Book Cover" by J. Bone (Super Friends), a cover printed on thick paper so fans of all ages can embellish her appearance and a Blank Authentix Edition that fans and comic professionals can illustrate.

"To be able to tell new stories based on Max Fleischer's original cartoon superstar is another great achievement for all of us here at Dynamite," says Dynamite CEO and Publisher, Nick Barrucci. "Betty Boop is one of the most recognizable faces in the history of animation, a timeless American cultural icon. This new series will delight comics fans young, old, and everywhere in-between!"

You can purchase the first comic book in the series now at Dynamite Comics, where you can also find out more about release dates for the rest of the series.

©2016 King Features Syndicate, Inc./Fleischer Studios, Inc. TM Hearst Holdings, Inc./Fleischer Studios, Inc.

ANNOUNCING "BETTY BOOP BY ROYAL CLOSET"

9/9/2016

Great news for our fans in Mexico! Betty Boop officially unveiled her first high-end fashion co-branding collaboration with an amazing new line designed by Royal Closet and sold exclusively, in Mexico, by Liverpool.

Designed for today's women, "who are independent, versatile, feminine, bold, with unique personalities, who are not afraid to express themselves and be noticed."

Read more about this amazing collaboration in our press room!

You can also visit Royal Closet's Facebook Page to see photos from the product launch, hosted by Royal Closet co-owners Montserrat Oliver (actress, fashion icon, TV host and entrepreneur), and Carlos Ortega (designer) and featuring items from this gorgeous line of clothing and swimwear!

Happy Birthday, Max!

7/19/2016

Join us in celebrating our own Max Fleischer - animator, innovator and inventor - born July 19,1883.

In 1935, Fleischer Studios introduced a new character who, like Max himself, had a playful sense of humor and special genius for creative invention. This year we're celebrating Max Fleischer's birthday with this fun-filled tribute featuring Grampy.

Learn more about Max Fleischer in our Birthday Exhibit, featuring an audio recording from Max's 1941 Birthday Party!

Betty Boop Enjoys Her Very Own PepsiMoji

7/14/2016

This year, Pepsi took the world’s global language – emojis – offline inviting consumers to “Say It With Pepsi” by unleashing over 1,000 proprietary PepsiMoji designs - including this adorable Betty Boop emoji - in more than 100 markets. The PepsiCo Design & Innovation Center created the catalogue of globally and locally relevant designs for a universal visual language system for the brand. To experience the full range, download the PepsiMoji Keyboard App for free on the Apple App and Google Play stores.

See this story in USA TODAY

Pepsi's celebration of World Emoji Day also included - Love: From Cave to Keyboard, imagined by Pepsi. A limited engagement exhibit explores the evolution of communication through the emotional lens of love – from primitive etchings on earthen walls to illustrative hieroglyphics; icons drawn by hand to icons on the screen; from <3 to today’s evocative global language, the emoji. The exhibit carries attendees through a variety of communication mediums, including:

Silent Film: In an Art Deco-style theatre-built-for-two, guests will be transported to the era of early awe-inspiring cinema, with a reel celebrating great moments of love captured on silent film narrated by Golden Globe winner Maggie Gyllenhaal
Illustrations & Icons: One of the most iconic female illustrations – the creation of legendary animator Max Fleischer – and a global portrait of love, Betty Boop (#booplove) is getting a modern makeover for today’s generation, complete with her very own PepsiMoji design and layered augmented reality bringing her to life
Music: A sensorial, immersive experience showcases the transformative power of music to convey emotion with special DJ set from Soul / R&B duo LION BABE
Sign Language: A pop-up vignette performed by Amelia Hensley, Daniel Durant, Miles Barbee and Treshelle Edmonds – cast members from the Tony-nominated production of Spring Awakening, produced by Deaf West Theater – depicts the story of young love blooming over first date jitters, told completely through the beautiful and intensely expressive medium of sign language
Photography: A collection of curated images will portray the power of photography – one of the most personal and treasured means for capturing memories, telling stories and immortalizing the images of those we love. Capturing some of these stories in real-time, images shot by Instagram photographers Daniel Arnold (@arnold_daniel), @Roon and @JoshFromNY will create a photographic mosaic of various expressions of love from the exhibit’s own attendees
Ancient Communications: An interactive look back to history’s early incarnations of “love notes” through cave drawings, smoke signals, hieroglyphics, cuneiform, runes, symbology, Morse Code and other historical communication forms
The Rise of Emoji: The final installation tracks the evolution and many incarnations of the modern day emoji and features “Heart,” an original sculpture by Brooklyn-based artist Shinji Murakami, who brings to life a retro 8-bit image of a heart emoji into 3D. The installation leads to an immersive PepsiMoji experience, complete with facial recognition technology matching your expressions with a PepsiMoji design for social sharing.

Following a private, star-studded opening night celebration on Thursday, July 14th, Love: From Cave to Keyboard, imagined by Pepsi will be open to the public. Located at 433 Broadway in the heart of SoHo in Manhattan, the exhibit is free and open from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on Saturday, July 16th and Sunday, July 17th.

Betty Boop to get a makeover from Zac Posen & Pantone

6/29/2016

We are thrilled to share the news that renowned American fashion designer Zac Posen has signed on to give our own Betty Boop a brand-new dress, and Pantone is working with Posen to give it a signature color aptly named "Betty Boop Red."

Betty's new signature color will be "a high-powered shade of red that has a hint of blue and a gravitas that embodies the character’s adventurous spirit." says Laurie Pressman, a vice president of the Pantone Color Institute.

You can read more about this exciting new development in Allure Magazine!

Welcome to our first guest contributor, Bob Jaques!

5/26/2016

Drawing by animator Abner Kneitel. While working as an animator, Ozark did sports cartoons on the side. This gag cartoon is in reference to the horse races at the Hialeah Park Racetrack that he frequented.

We are thrilled to celebrate Memorial Day, and all our men and women in uniform, with the help of our very first guest contributor Bob Jaques. An acclaimed animation producer and director - currently an Animation Director working on SpongeBob Squarepants, Jaques is a self proclaimed Fleischer Studios fanatic. His blog Popeye Cartoons celebrates, as he states, "the most amazing cartoon character ever created."

An avid amateur animation historian, Jaques comes to us with the fascinating story of Jack Ozark, Fleischer animator turned World War II code-breaker (one of many animators to use his very special set of skills while serving in the armed forces during the War).

This fascinating exhibit includes a number of wonderful drawings that his fellow animators created for Ozark during his time in the service. It's a wonderful tribute to an amazing animator and serviceman, and an important reminder of the power of humor and friendship - even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Marie Claire declares Boop Boop Fragrance #1!

5/23/2016

Check out the June issue of Marie Claire! Their list entitled "What We Love About June"... features Betty Boop's new fragrance, from Jean Paul Gaultier, as number #1!

It won't be available until June, but in the meantime watch Spinach and Stockings, an interactive comic strip on the Jean Paul Gaultier website featuring Betty Boop and Popeye (the star of his own fragrance, for men.)