Bimbo's Initiation
Encyclopedia
Bimbo's Initiation is a 1931 Fleischer Studios
Talkartoon animated short film starring Bimbo
and featuring Betty Boop
. It was the final Betty Boop cartoon to be animated by the character's co-creator, Grim Natwick
.
. He lands in an underground clubhouse of a secret society
. 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 Betty Boop (in her original incarnation, which was a "dog" character, whom Bimbo describes as "a pippin!"). Bimbo flees through various 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. Bimbo changes his tune and decides he DOES want to be a member. The rest of the society members remove their costumes, showing that they are all Betty Boop clones, and Bimbo joins the Boops in a happy dance. "Tiger Rag
" is featured throughout the soundtrack.
, nightmarish atmosphere of Bimbo's Initiation has made it one of the most renowned Fleischer Studios shorts. Leonard Maltin
described it as "the 'darkest' of all" the Fleischers' cartoons. In 1994 it was voted #37 of the 50 Greatest Cartoons of all time by members of the animation industry.
The cartoonist
Jim Woodring
identified Bimbo's Initiation as "one of the things that laid the foundation for my life's philosophy."
Fleischer Studios
Fleischer Studios, Inc., was an American corporation which originated as an Animation studio located at 1600 Broadway, New York City, New York...
Talkartoon animated short film starring Bimbo
Bimbo (Fleischer)
Bimbo is a fictional character, a cartoon dog created by Fleischer Studios. He first appeared in the Out of the Inkwell series and was originally named Fitz....
and featuring Betty Boop
Betty Boop
Betty Boop is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer, with help from animators including Grim Natwick. She originally appeared in the Talkartoon and Betty Boop film series, which were produced by Fleischer Studios and released by Paramount Pictures. She has also been featured in...
. It was the final Betty Boop cartoon to be animated by the character's co-creator, Grim Natwick
Grim Natwick
Myron "Grim" Natwick was an American artist, animator and film director. Natwick is best known for drawing the Fleischer Studio's most popular character, Betty Boop.-Background:...
.
Plot
Bimbo is walking down the street when he suddenly disappears down an open manholeManhole
A manhole is an opening used to gain access to sewers or other underground structures, usually for maintenance.Manhole may also refer to:* Manhole , a metal band from Los Angeles* The Manhole, a computer game...
. He lands in an underground clubhouse of a secret society
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
. 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 Betty Boop (in her original incarnation, which was a "dog" character, whom Bimbo describes as "a pippin!"). Bimbo flees through various 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. Bimbo changes his tune and decides he DOES want to be a member. The rest of the society members remove their costumes, showing that they are all Betty Boop clones, and Bimbo joins the Boops in a happy dance. "Tiger Rag
Tiger Rag
"Tiger Rag" is a jazz standard, originally recorded and copyrighted by the Original Dixieland Jass Band in 1917. It is one of the most recorded jazz compositions of all time.-Origins:...
" is featured throughout the soundtrack.
Analysis and recognitions
The surrealSurrealism
Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members....
, nightmarish atmosphere of Bimbo's Initiation has made it one of the most renowned Fleischer Studios shorts. Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin is an American film and animated film critic and historian, author of several mainstream books on cinema, focusing on nostalgic, celebratory narratives.-Personal life:...
described it as "the 'darkest' of all" the Fleischers' cartoons. In 1994 it was voted #37 of the 50 Greatest Cartoons of all time by members of the animation industry.
The cartoonist
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
Jim Woodring
Jim Woodring
Jim Woodring is a Seattle-based cartoonist, comic book author, artist and toy designer. He also produces fine art works in a variety of other media, including painting and charcoal....
identified Bimbo's Initiation as "one of the things that laid the foundation for my life's philosophy."