The first important female animated-film character, Betty Boop appeared in more than one hundred cartoons during the 1930s. Originally created by animator Grim Natwick (1890–1990), Betty Boop soon evolved into a sexy, glamorous flapper (see entry under 1920s—Fashion in volume 2) who was far more adult-oriented than the innocent cartoon characters created by Walt Disney (see entry under 1920s—Film and Theater in volume 2) and other studios of the period. Betty Boop was a short-skirted, leggy figure with an oversize head, tight-curl hairdo, huge eyes surrounded with big lashes, and puckered-up lips. From 1931, Betty Boop's familiar New York–accented voice cooed her well-known "Boop-Oop-a-Doop" greeting. Betty Boop's voice was supplied by actress Mae Questel (1908–1998).

A Betty Boop float flies high over New York City in the 1986 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Corbis/Joseph Sohm. Reproduced by permission.

Betty Boop made her debut as a minor character in the...