The Real Inspiration And Evolution Of The Betty Boop Cartoon

Fleischer V. Kane

The trial began without a jury in May of 1932. A single judge reviewed both Helen Kane’s and Betty Boop’s films. The studio’s defense was that Kane had taken Baby Esther’s style, so Kane could not claim it as her own. Baby Esther had passed away before the trial had begun, so it was up to others to prove that Kane had stolen her style, and was therefore not entitled to any compensation from Fleischer Studios. An early test sound film of Baby Esther’s performance was used as evidence.