With a body modeled after May West and an attitude to rival Madonna’s, she has evolved into a cult figure with thousands of fans world wide. Although only a cartoon character, her obvious sensuality and her “I can do anything a man can do” approach to life, have earned her as loyal a group of fans, as any flesh and blood woman. This year she celebrates her 80th birthday, and she is still going strong. She is the incomparable Betty Boop.

Betty started life as a dog type character with a human body in the 1930′s film “Dirty Dishes”. Created by Max Fleischer with the help of animator Grim Natiwck, she was originally intended to be the love interest of Bimbo, the lead dog in the Talkartoons cartoon series. Bimbo met with moderate success, but the public instantly fell in love with the nameless little girl/dog. Within a year she had evolved from semi-canine to full human form and was given the name Betty Boop. In early 1931, with her new name and an ever growing audience, she appeared briefly in the film “Kitty From Kansas City”. Later that year in “Silly Scandals” she delighted audiences with her rendition of “You’re driving Me Crazy”, during which her blouse kept slipping down revealing a frilly bra underneath. Her next release “Ups and Downs” pushed the boundaries of good taste even further containing a scene with her dress blowing up. This scene would be recreated many years later by another famous screen vixen, Marilyn Monroe, in “The Seven Year Itch”.

Created at the very end of the “Roaring 20′s”, Betty’s risqué nature was generally accepted by an American public that was relatively uninhibited about sexuality. Her cartoons were geared to an adult audience and as a result were rather explicit, especially in the early years. Interaction between her character and the male leads in her films was suggestive, to say the least, and on more that one occasion her catch phrase “Boop-oop-a-doop” could be interpreted to be more than just scatty nonsense. From 1930-1934 she was a top box-office draw, but as the moral attitude in America shifted, Betty found her self on shaky ground.

In the mid 1930′s women’s clubs, church organizations, and various reform groups began organizing demonstrations at theaters across the country, calling for censorship of Hollywood films. With Will Hays, the head of the Motion Picture Producers and Directors Association, as their spokesperson, studios were held to new standards of decency. Under the guidelines of the “Picture Producer’s and Distributor’s Code” and the “Hays Act of 1935″ heavy fines were levied against studio that did not comply. In addition Hays created the “Purity Seal” . Movies that did not qualify for this stamp of approval were not allowed to be shown in PPDA-affiliated theatres, which most major theatres were.

Betty Boop received a complete makeover. Her wardrobe was altered to skirts that reached below her knees and shirts that fully covered her cleavage. No more clothing that slipped off or back lighting to expose her ample silhouette. Films from 1935 forward saw her as a baby sitter, teacher or housewife. Gone were the great jazz songs of the 1930′s that had been the back drop for many of the early films, removed due to their questionable lyrics. The surrealism of “Minnie the Moocher” and “Snow White” was replaced with story lines about Betty and her new pet monkey. In fact, by the time the censors finished, Betty was all but unrecognizable and the public gradually lost interest in her films. After appearing in “Yip, Yip, Yippy” in 1939 Betty Boop retired. In the nine short years of her career she had worked with such greats as Rudy Vallee, Cab Calloway, Don Redman and Louis Armstrong and appeared in over 100 animated features

The risqué little girl with an air of innocence still enjoys a following of loyal fans who are willing to pay top dollar for authentic 1930′s Betty Boop memorabilia. Recent auction results include results include a string holder for $250, a celluloid bobble-head Betty for $450, a twelve inch chalk carnival figure for $1,994 and a linen-matted 1930′s Paramount movie poster for a whopping $7,455. Now that’s a lot of Boop-Oop-A-Doop! Until next time………Linda

Linda Hamer Kennett is an associate member of the International Society of Appraiser specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-356-8967 or lkennett@indy.rr.com}

starbulletin.com | Features | /2008/02/26/
By Gary C.W. Chun
gchun@starbulletin.com

Hawaii collectors line up for the newest French Dunny figures

“Wanna buy a Dunny? Collectible French Dunny designer toys went on sale Thursday at a trading party at Kaimuki’s Urbanz Toys, one of 27 stores worldwide chosen by maker Kidrobot to carry the toys.

Kidrobot is known for its limited-edition art toys and apparel that merge urban street trends, fashion and pop art. In fact, the Museum of Modern Art in New York acquired 13 Kidrobot toys late last year to add to its collection.

…Kidrobot has made much of its reputation on the Dunny. The company carefully watches over the line, from designer to producer to retail stores in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami. The 3-inch, bunnylike toys are a hit because of their collectible value, as artists use them like a blank canvas for their unique designs.”

Read the Full Story >>

By RALPH And TERRY KOVEL
The Hartford Courant
February 22, 2008

“Toys based on popular television heroes sell well, but often a number of years after the TV show has aired the meaning of the toy has been forgotten. At a Morphy auction in December, a Japanese tin wind-up Superhero Ultraman toy with the original box sold for $575. The 9-inch toy was made by Bullmark of Japan.”

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Bradenton Herald
10/27/2006
Julie McClure About Antiques

“This column could be titled “Hummel figurines and all the different values we can find for the same thing.” I cannot think of any collectible that shows so clearly the wide variety of values for the same items. Depending on whether you are looking at a price guide or on eBay, the values will vary widely.

Hummel prices are also affected by the marks on the bottom of the figure. The older marks bring more money. Still, there is a large discrepancy between the value listed in price guides and actual selling prices.”

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Yahoo! News
By Jeremy Lovell
Tue Sep 26, 2006

“LONDON (Reuters) – Barbie in Midnight Red, dating from 1965, sold for a world record 9,000 pounds ($17,000) on Tuesday as collectors from around the world gathered to bid for a piece of a unique private collection of 4,000 Barbie family dolls.

The doll, which had been priced at up to 600 pounds, became the most expensive Barbie ever to be sold at auction, according to Christie’s who ran the sale.”

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Bloomberg.com: Europe
By Linda Sandler

“Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) — Mattel Inc.’s Barbie dolls, with retail sales of about $3 billion a year, get their first solo auction at Christie’s International in London on Sept. 26. Collectors should watch out for oily faces and green ears as the plastic fashion icons age.

Barbie was launched in 1959 by Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler, and is collected by about 100,000 adults and teenagers, according to Mattel. Vintage Barbies trade on EBay, which is owned by EBay Inc., and at doll auctions, and now a Dutch holding of about 4,000 dolls — many in good shape — has enabled Christie’s to schedule a dedicated Barbie sale.”

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MCFARLANE TOYS TO REVIEW PORTFOLIOS AT COMIC-CON

SPAWN.COM >> NEWS >>
We’re Scouting for Job Openings in Arizona and New Jersey
June 30, 2006

“If you’re planning on attending San Diego Comic-Con and believe you have what it takes to join the McFarlane Toys team, listen up. We will be reviewing portfolios and accepting resumes for positions currently open in our Tempe, Ariz. and Bloomingdale, N.J. offices.”

Get the full Scoop here >>

Some highlights are a graded Star Wars 12BK AFA 95 Darth Vader which is currently sitting at US $3,209.85 (and the reserve hasn’t been met), a Star Wars AFA 80 12 Back Darth Vader MOC 80-85-85 at US $695.00, and a Star Wars Vintage Trilogo Boba Fett Lily Ledi COO MOC sitting at US $632.80.

deseretnews.com
By Carma Wadley
Deseret Morning News
June 30, 2006

“…The mid-to-late 1980s saw a huge increase in collectible lines, he says, with introduction of such artists and collections as Pipka, Precious Moments and others. Charming Tails came along in the early ’90s.

Currently, no one is hotter in the field than Jim Shore, who incorporates quilt designs and bright colors into his folk art figures that include cats, dogs, people, lighthouses, Disney characters, holiday creations and more.

Other popular artists and lines include Williraye Studio, Snowbabies, Demdaco’s Willow Tree Angels, David Frykman, G. DeBrekht Studios and Byers’ Choice.”

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Red Lion Pez Popular with Bidders

Auctions/Prices, Scoop
Friday, April 14, 2006

“A high-grade example Red Lion Pez dispenser was highly desired by bidders on eBay. The rare dispenser is one of approximately 10 or less known examples. The Lion head found on the dispenser is the same as the exclusive 1962 Lions Club dispenser with a color variation. After a large volume of bids were placed this rarity sold for $2,972.”

View the original article >> on Scoop