In The News...

[PR Betty]

This story was released today on the AP wire and picked up by the Fresno Bee.

http://www.fresnobee.com/24hour/weird/story/2575499p-11009921c.html

Life-size statue of Betty Boop beheaded

By Associated Press

July 25, 2005

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Her ebony hair perfectly parted and saucer-like eyes
perpetually staring, the life-size Betty Boop statue became a local landmark
on the city's Shore Drive. But Sunday morning, a patron discovered the
$1,600 figure a block away from its home in front of Cool & Eclectic
Furniture and Fashion -- without its head.

Six days later, the head remained missing.

"Without it, she's nothing," said store owner Larry Estes, who filed a
police report Friday.

Estes collected Boop's body and placed it in a storeroom. Then he began
searching up and down Shore Drive.

He is offering a free store item to anyone who comes forward with Boop's
head.

"She's made a lot of people smile," he said of the mascot. "Who would do
this?"

Betty has had run-ins before. Two years ago, Hurricane Isabel's winds tossed
the statue down Shore Drive, severing limbs and crushing her head.

"From heel to head, I had to reconstruct her," Estes said.

***********

Let's hope whoever did this does the right thing and restores Miss Betty to her rightful form.
<br />
http://www.bettyboop.com/forums/photos/bettyroadside.jpg
Here's a photo sent to us by Larry Estes

[BettyBoop45]

Aw no! I wud love to have seen dat even a pick of it!!...That while hi! The ppl or person who done this wil b got! Not by me but by sum1 i hope! Ha

Shabba
Ciara xXx

[bettyboopfan]

That is horrible!
Why would someone want to do something like this?

[crystalflames]

that is just e disgrace to every single bb fan. whoever did it needs to get their just awards, maybe a beheading of thier own. :( :( :( :mad: :mad: :mad:

[artesboop]

That is horrible!
Why would someone want to do something like this?

Well, it is my statue and the reasons people do things like this is beyond me. But they say time is the devil's advocate. The same night there was a life-sized Armyman statue on outside display...he was not touched, nor his fake rifle or binoculars. It could be something a drunk did. The statue was moved a block west, from its storefront. There is a Mexican restaurant one block in the opposite direction. It could have been someone walking home drunk from there. It's truley a strange "Who did it?" story....

[mgchan]

Welcome aboard artesboop! Thanks for dropping by and sending us that photo.

[artesboop]

Hey buddy: Before I moved the sad Betty, I took a picture of her. This picture is what prompted this local story to go national and beyond. The body looks almost realistic, compared to the grossly enlarged head. And she lay so all the passing traffic could see her.

[mgchan]

I read your story at The Big Cartoon Forum, how sad. :(

Boopers, take a look:

http://forum.bcdb.com/gforum.cgi?post=47865

[bboop480]

This story was released today on the AP wire and picked up by the Fresno Bee.

http://www.fresnobee.com/24hour/weird/story/2575499p-11009921c.html

Life-size statue of Betty Boop beheaded

By Associated Press

July 25, 2005

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Her ebony hair perfectly parted and saucer-like eyes
perpetually staring, the life-size Betty Boop statue became a local landmark
on the city's Shore Drive. But Sunday morning, a patron discovered the
$1,600 figure a block away from its home in front of Cool & Eclectic
Furniture and Fashion -- without its head.

Six days later, the head remained missing.

"Without it, she's nothing," said store owner Larry Estes, who filed a
police report Friday.

Estes collected Boop's body and placed it in a storeroom. Then he began
searching up and down Shore Drive.

He is offering a free store item to anyone who comes forward with Boop's
head.

"She's made a lot of people smile," he said of the mascot. "Who would do
this?"

Betty has had run-ins before. Two years ago, Hurricane Isabel's winds tossed
the statue down Shore Drive, severing limbs and crushing her head.

"From heel to head, I had to reconstruct her," Estes said.

***********

Let's hope whoever did this does the right thing and restores Miss Betty to her rightful form.
<br />
http://www.bettyboop.com/forums/photos/bettyroadside.jpg
Here's a photo sent to us by Larry Estes
oh the horror of it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[BBooper]

:o omg!! that person must be crazy!!! and i can't believe they only stole her head...whats the point in that!?

BBooper
xxx

[artesboop]

Chan...do you have anything on the 75th Anniversary planned for Betty Boop on the 8th or 9th. I thought it would make a nice addition to the celebration, if Virginia's Life-sized Betty Boop could be restored to her normal self with a new head on that ocassion. It would make a lot of fans happy and endear them even more to Her Majesty. Thanks. Larry

[bettyboopfan]

I do hope who ever was dumb enough to do something like this is caught and severly punished!!

It is so uncalled for!!

I hope Ms.Betty is completly restored and once again brings smiles to everyones faces that pass by! Best of luck, Larry! :D

[mgchan]

Here's a copy of a media advisory that had gone out:


Fleischer Studios & King Features Offer Reward for Return of Betty Boop’s Head to Rightful Owner

Los Angeles, CA, August 1, 2005 – “Bring me the head of Betty Boop,” thundered Mark Fleischer, President of Fleischer Studios and grandson of Betty Boop creator Max Fleischer. Mr. Fleischer was reacting to the reported beheading by vandals in July of a popular statue of the “Queen of Cartoons,” Betty Boop, at the Virginia Beach, VA store, Cool and Eclectic Furniture and Fashions. Fleischer Studios and King Features, the owners of the character, are offering a reward for the return of the head to the store’s owner. Anyone offering information leading to the return of the head will receive a gift box full of Betty Boop collectables and merchandise to share with family and friends.

“Betty Boop is a beloved star who brings smiles to millions around the world,” continued Mr. Fleischer, “and we are eager to work with the owners of Cool and Eclectic Furniture and Fashions to assist them in righting this wrong.”

First introduced in the 1930’s, Betty Boop was created by Max Fleischer for his “Talkartoons” series for Paramount, the first “talkies” of animation. Mae Questel provided Betty’s distinctive voice. In subsequent years, supporting characters Koko the Clown and Pudgy were introduced as Betty’s popularity grew. By 1932 Betty, considered to be the first and only female animated screen star, had taken the country by storm. Betty starred in more than 100 cartoons, 90 of which are included in the official “Betty Boop” series which ended in 1939. Since then, Betty has appeared in dozens of hit movies, television specials and commercials. She was the first cartoon character to be profiled by A&E’s “Biography” series.

Today, Betty Boop is a worldwide licensing and merchandising phenomenon, with her classic image appearing on practically everything, including cookie jars and other ceramic pieces, toys, food, apparel and accessories, housewares, consumer electronics and even lottery tickets. The new online store will carry selections from nearly every category.

As the worldwide exclusive licensing agent for Betty Boop, King Features works closely with Fleischer Studios to keep Betty entertaining her fans. More than 250 licensees in the United States and nearly as many internationally produce quality products bearing Betty’s likeness in virtually every category. The official Betty Boop website is www.bettyboop.com.

# # #

Contact:

Kristi Blicharski
aLine media
310-371-8795
Kristi@alinemedia.com

[Bikerbettyboop]

I hope her head is returned safe and sound soon!!

[artesboop]

Thanks for posting the latest episode of "Betty loses her head in Virginia". There's Search and Rescue missions daily. Day and night they search for any signs of her head in the Chesapeake Bay. Everytime they almost think they see a large spit-curl, it ends up being a dolphin fin. It's frustrating for the dive team and seal team working the waters. After all, they've been very successful in finding much smaller things than Betty's head. The K-9 crew thought they had a good lead, but the smell ended at the water's edge. Apparently, the culprit took it from land to bay so his trail would end. I swear, it sounds like someone knew what the heck they were doing. Larry

[mgchan]

Thanks for the update. I hope they find it soon and in good condition.

[bettyboopfan]

I hope it is returned safe and sound!
Please keep us updated.

[artesboop]

The popularity of the national headline - "Betty Boop Beheaded"- story has checked the pulse of people's interest in her. Everybody seems to be asking us - "Did you find Betty Boop's head?" A movie needs to be done on this called "Betty Boop loses her head" - a Surreal (as the Fleischer brothers had originally portrayed her) based on a true story in Virginia. The script would go like this: 1) Large Betty Boop Statue becomes a city Mascot, making visitors and locals smile amidst a shore drive full of unsightly car and boat lots 2) Hurricane Isabel destroys mascot 3) Broken up Mascot is wharehoused 4) People miss smiling when they pass where she was: they request Betty be restored 5) Artist restores statue 6) Betty debuts and the city smiles again 7) Vandals behead Betty 8) City and nation mourns and pulls together to find her 9)Hollywood joins search 9) a down on his luck Cartoonist designs a Missing Head shirt that assists in finding Betty's Head just in time for her 75th Anniversary. You know Hearst was a big supporter of cartoons....this story could make reference to that by having cartooning once again save the day. You goota have passion and believe in the story....Larry

[bettyboopfan]

A movie.....sounds interesting!

[Neckless]

Wow! That was great coverage. It is sad to see her lying there on the ground --headless. How senseless. As we mourn her dismemberment, we are in hopes that she is reconnected with the rest of her body. It saddens me deeply to think someone would do such an unnecessary, act.

Let us know Larry. So sorry this happened.

MGCHAN, Larry, PR Betty...Great coverage!

[bboop480]

awesome coverage...good job! ;)

[artesboop]

Thank you for your support. William Hearst helped down-on-his-luck cartoonists, and King Features has continued that legacy, despite the general public's disdain for the "bohemian" style life they had little choice to lead....think of the great Depression when the Fleischer brothers were working to develop this masterpiece of a dynamic female....what kept them going at it with so little support and encouragement. Sometimes all an artist can freakin' afford is his bare necessities - pen and paper. And determination! So much springs from those 3 things. Larry

[artesboop]

MGCHAN...It just came to me....WHo would be the best Hero for finding Betty Boop's Head in this Military town of Virginia beach?/Norfolk????Why of course, Popeye the SaliorMan!!!!!He had his debut on Betty Boop's show and was one of the characters to become highly successful. I can write the script for this proposed movie based on the true story of "Betty Boop Loses Her Head." It all happened right here in Sailor Country! It makes so much sense it is pathetic. Does anybody see the potential of this obvious merging of real life with comics? I see the story in vivid color. Would someone with the power to make it happen take a look at my storyboard???? I don't know anybody in the movie industry, not one person....but darn it, I have Vision!!!!!!!!!!!!Larry Estes

[artesboop]

It was the simple act of seeing that Life-size, headless, body of Betty Boop a block away in its almost human-like form and thinking "I need to get my camera." I was almost headed towards the car to retreive the statue, when I backtracked. I then composed the press release and dug up the earlier pic of the wholesome Betty that I had restored and sent the before and after pictutres, and press release to certain reporters. That person didn't call. I got a call from an intern. He was entusiastic as I was about the archetypal imagery and story. It had a small dose of Pymalion & Galatea, whereby the artist has a certain affection for the creation of his hands, except this was a re-creation, complete with the feeling of fixing something magical, restoring an Icon that had the ability to make so many people smile....Without even Moving!. The original story was called "Cartoon Violence" and shortly thereafter, the Associated Press called and asked -"Did you find Betty's Head?" I said No, and the rest is history and still evolving. I could have just picked up the broken Betty and warehoused her once again...as I did when Hurricane Isabel tossed her to her doom. But something said this is a story! I want the Fleischer Family to read this. Why shouldn't they want to read about the passionate words from the one who was instrumental in doing the PR that evolved into a top headline about Betty Boop. Would they even review my storyboard for a proposed movie - "Betty loses her head (in Virginia)" whereby Popeye the Sailorman (relevent to our Military town) saves the day! The problem is ancient, just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Vision too, is. But storyboarding is the middleman that articulates the idea to reality. Larry Estes

[bettyboopfan]

You most definetly have vision Larry! :D

[artesboop]

Coming from a Moderator, that is extra flattering....I have a posting of 10, you have 7,066. Jeez,...I was kinda of brought into this forum unexpectently because of the news story...but I'm glad I'm here....thanks again ! Larry

[BBooper]

we are glad you are here! welcome aboard!

BBooper
xxx

[artesboop]

Latest episode on the "Betty Boop Beheaded" story is that nationally syndicated comic strip artist Bill Griffith has found what appears to be Betty's Head. It apparently was found in Hadlyme, Connecticut. The "Zippy" strip will reveal the details of this finding on September 21...titled "Too Bopped to Boop". Zippy explains "I had to do it...I couldn't bear to hear her truncated torso try to gurgle "Boop-Boop-A-Doop" one more time!!" This is Good News!!

[bettyboopfan]

That is awesome news, Larry!!

[bboop480]

Latest episode on the "Betty Boop Beheaded" story is that nationally syndicated comic strip artist Bill Griffith has found what appears to be Betty's Head. It apparently was found in Hadlyme, Connecticut. The "Zippy" strip will reveal the details of this finding on September 21...titled "Too Bopped to Boop". Zippy explains "I had to do it...I couldn't bear to hear her truncated torso try to gurgle "Boop-Boop-A-Doop" one more time!!" This is Good News!!
BRAVO!!! FABULOUS NEWS!

[artesboop]

Now, Now, Now.....let it be known that the head was found ONLY in comic world, NOT in the Real World. I understand the complexity of separating reality and fantasy in this world where non-fiction is as strange as fiction. But, I'm still here mourning the headless Betty Boop....but I was happy that Zippy the Pinhead found the head in the comicworld....ah, wait a minute, what world am I in?Larry

[bettyboopfan]

Oh ok.....comic world!

Got ya!!

[PR Betty]

Just in case anyone missed the actual strip, here it is:

Zippy the Pinhead -- Too Bopped to Boop (http://cserver.king-online.com/content/Zippy_the_Pinhead?date=--&referer=http://dailyink.com&uid=xvkv6o&token=47l7fc&size=large)

[bboop480]

Just in case anyone missed the actual strip, here it is:

Zippy the Pinhead -- Too Bopped to Boop (http://cserver.king-online.com/content/Zippy_the_Pinhead?date=--&referer=http://dailyink.com&uid=xvkv6o&token=47l7fc&size=large)
i thought that was awesome....thank you!

[bettyboopfan]

That was cool!

[bettyboopfan]

BTW: Any leads on Betty's head yet?

[Bikerbettyboop]

That was cool... thanks PR Betty for the link!

[QueenB]

I'll be booped!!! What kind of person would do such a thing?
Crazy, DeRanged, Stupid and Ignorant....

[ooohlala]

Noooooooo! Poor Betty!!

[bboop480]

awwwwwwwwwwwwww :(

[bettyboopfan]

Did they ever find her head?

[bboop480]

i dont know...does anybody know?