Betty Boop: Minnie The Moocher (1932)

"Betty Boop's Minnie the Moocher" (1932) is a classic animated short film featuring the iconic character Betty Boop, accompanied by the jazz legend Cab Calloway and His Orchestra. This Fleischer Studios cartoon is renowned for its innovative blend of animation and live-action jazz performance.

The story begins with Betty Boop's strict parents scolding her, prompting her to run away from home with her friend Bimbo. They find themselves in a spooky cave where they encounter the ghostly Walrus, who is eerily and rhythmically voiced by Cab Calloway. The Walrus performs the famous song "Minnie the Moocher," with its catchy tune and famous "Hi-De-Ho" chorus.

As the Walrus sings, the animation showcases a series of surreal and whimsical sequences, reflecting the song's jazz and scat elements. The film is visually groundbreaking for its time, using rotoscope technology to capture Calloway's dance movements, transforming them into the dancing of the Walrus character.

"Minnie the Moocher" serves as both a showcase for Calloway's musical talent and a representation of the unique style and creativity of early Fleischer cartoons. The film is a blend of jazz music, 1930s animation, and a touch of the surreal, making it a memorable and significant piece in the history of animated films.