The Real Inspiration And Evolution Of The Betty Boop Cartoon

Helen Kane Sues

Not only did Kane appropriate Baby Esther’s style and claim it as her own, she then also wanted to officially be credited for being the inspiration behind Betty Boop. In 1932, Kane sued Fleischer Studios and Paramount Publix Corporation for $250,000 (which was a very large amount for the time). She claimed that they exploited her image, and charged them with unfair competition and wrongful appropriation, which is quite ironic considering the backstory. Kane’s career was starting to decline at the time, and the lawsuit helped get her back in the public eye. But her desperate attempt to reclaim her fame backfired.