The Real Inspiration And Evolution Of The Betty Boop Cartoon

Popeye and Olive Oyl, Sittin’ In A Tree

Margie Hines, who was the first voice for the Betty Boop cartoons, played the role along with other actresses in 1930 and 1931. The first of Betty’s cartoon short was called “Dirty Dishes” and featured a quartet of singing cats and a hungry gorilla. Once Mae Questel took over voicing Betty Boop, Hines did other voice work including the role of Olive Oyl from Popeye the Sailor Man. In real life, Hines fell in love with the actor who voiced Popeye, Jack Mercer. The two were married in 1939 and ate spinach at their wedding breakfast. The two are pictured above, with Mercer on the left and Hines on the right.