Mainframe Entertainment and Fleischer Studios, Inc. have formed a collaboration that will yield a new television series based on BETTY BOOP, the dazzling "Queen of Cartoons." Mainframe will also be working with Fleischer and King Features Syndicate on launching a significant licensing and merchandising campaign, with a new video series, interactive games and collectible items. The concept for the new series was developed by Richard Fleischer, chairman and CEO of Fleischer Studios, who commented, "I am very excited about the new series, which will capture the cutting-edge humor of the alluring BETTY BOOP in an adventurous and music-driven setting. She'll boop-oop-a-doop her way into the 21st century." Mark Fleischer, president of Fleischer Studios, added, "As timeless as BETTY BOOP is, the CGI expertise of Mainframe Entertainment will help us to present Betty in new and exciting situations, making her as relevant to audiences of all ages today as she was 70 years ago." First introduced in the 1930's, BETTY BOOP was created by Max Fleischer for his "Talkartoons" series for Paramount, the first "talkies" of animation. In subsequent years, supporting characters Koko the Clown and Pudgy were introduced as Betty's popularity grew. BETTY BOOP continues to be Fleischer Studios most popular property over 70 years later. Betty starred in more than 100 cartoons, 90 of which are included in the official BETTY BOOP series that ended in 1939. Today, Betty's classic image appears on everything from cookie jars to apparel, accessories and even lottery tickets. Fleischer Studios was founded in the 1920's by Max Fleischer, the world-renowned animator who created BETTY BOOP and KOKO THE KLOWN of the OUT OF THE INKWELL cartoon series. In addition, Fleischer Studios brought to the screen the original POPEYE and SUPERMAN cartoon series as well as the animated features MR. BUG GOES TO TOWN and GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. Canadas Mainframe Entertainment Inc. is one of the world's most prolific producers of computer animation for television. The company is currently in production on 26 half-hour episodes of the all-CGI television series ACTION MAN and the HEAVY GEAR television series, based on the popular video game. Mainframe is also in production on a large-format, stereoscopic feature based on GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. King Features Syndicate represents successful classic characters such as BETTY BOOP and POPEYE. King Features also represents properties such as HOWDY DOODY, from the popular 1950's television show, and COW PARADE, the publicly displayed life-size cows.
In Serious Business: Serious Book? Mark Kausler reviews Serious Business: The Art and Commerce of Animation in America From BETTY BOOP to TOY STORY.
Read Harvey Deneroffs review of the BETTY BOOP video series in Betty Boop: The Definitive Collection.
