Snow White (1933)
Filed under: Animation, 1930s, Anime, Betty Boop, Betty Boop series, Dave Fleischer, Early Sound, Inkwell / Fleischer Studios, Max Fleischer, Musical, U.S.A.,
Snow White
Directed by: Producers: Animated by: Music by:Cab Calloway (vocal chorus)
Studio: Release date:31/03/1933
Running time:7 min 4 s
Color process:B&W
Synopsis
A slim musical adaptation of Snow White’s tale. Despite the queen’s order to behead Betty (Snow White), the two guards, Bimbo and Koko, rescued Betty and entered a cave where Koko’s renowned dancing rotoscoped from Cab Calloway. The evil queen pursues Bimbo, Koko, and Snow White throughout the cave until Bimbo clutches and yanks her tongue, prompting the queen to flee. The animation ends with Betty, Koko, and Bimbo dancing in a circle of celebration.
The short, which stars Cab Calloway as Koko and features him singing St. James Infirmary Blues, is an imaginary depiction of African American life and culture as a dangerous yet desirable underworld, capitalizing on the ambivalence of stereotypes. The minister’s “blackface” in the Queen’s mirror is notable for such a stereotypical portrayal.