Bimbo's Initiation
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Bimbo's Initiation | |
Talkartoon series | |
Directed by | Dave Fleischer |
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Animation by | Myron Natwick (uncredited) |
Voices by | Mae Questel |
Produced by | Max Fleischer |
Distributed by | Paramount Studios |
Release date | July 24, 1931 |
Format | Black-and-white, 6 mins |
Language | English |
IMDb page |
Bimbo's Initiation is a 1931 Fleischer Studios animated short film starring Bimbo, and features an early version of Betty Boop.
[edit] Synopsis
Bimbo is walking down the street when he suddenly disappears down an open manhole. He lands in an underground clubhouse of a secret order. The leader asks Bimbo "Wanna be a member?", but he replies "No!" Bimbo is then sent through a series of dangerous events. He is repeatedly asked by the leader "Wanna be a member?" but keeps refusing. Bimbo is brought through a series of mysterious doors that lead him into yet another sub-basement. Out of the basement door pops a dog-eared version of Betty Boop (who Bimbo describes as "a pippin!"). Bimbo flees through death traps (his heart literally in his mouth) before landing in front of the mysterious order's leader again. Bimbo still refuses to become a member until the leader removes "his" costume--to reveal herself as Betty Boop (still with dog ears). Bimbo changes his tune and decides he DOES want to be a member. The rest of the order remove their costumes, showing that they are all Betty Boop clones, and Bimbo joins the Boops in a happy dance.
[edit] Notes and comments
This was the final Betty Boop cartoon to be animated by her co-creator, Myron Natwick.
In 1994 Bimbo's Initiation was voted #37 of the 50 Greatest Cartoons of all time by members of the animation industry.