Kitty from Kansas City

Plot

In this animated musical short, a young woman from Kansas (portrayed as Betty Boop) travels by train to Hollywood, specifically to 'Rudy Valley' where she hopes to meet the famous crooner Rudy Vallee. Upon arrival, she undergoes a dramatic transformation, gaining weight and changing her appearance to fit the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle. The film features Rudy Vallee himself performing the title song 'Kitty from Kansas City' with the innovative Fleischer 'Bouncing Ball' technique that encourages audience participation. The cartoon combines live-action footage of Vallee with animated sequences, creating a unique hybrid entertainment experience that was typical of early sound era experimentation.

Historical Background

Released in October 1931, 'Kitty from Kansas City' emerged during a pivotal moment in American history and cinema. The Great Depression was in its second year, with unemployment reaching 15% and millions seeking affordable entertainment. This period saw the rise of the 'talkie' revolution, as sound had only been integrated into films a few years earlier. The animation industry was rapidly evolving from silent shorts to sophisticated musical cartoons. Rudy Vallee represented the new era of media celebrities who crossed over between radio, records, and film. The Fleischer Studios, based in New York rather than Hollywood, represented an alternative approach to animation that emphasized technical innovation and adult humor compared to the more family-friendly Disney productions. The film's release also coincided with the decline of vaudeville and the rise of cinema as America's primary entertainment medium.

Making Of

The production of 'Kitty from Kansas City' showcased the Fleischer Studios' pioneering approach to animation technology. The studio, founded by brothers Max and Dave Fleischer, was known for its technical innovations including the rotoscope (which allowed animators to trace over live-action footage) and the stereoptical process (which created 3D backgrounds). For this film, Rudy Vallee was filmed performing the song, and this footage was then incorporated into the animated sequence. The Bouncing Ball was synchronized to the music using a metronome and careful timing charts. The animation team worked in the Fleischer Studios' facility at 1600 Broadway in New York City, creating the distinctive style that would become synonymous with early Betty Boop cartoons. The film's production coincided with Betty Boop's transition from a dog-like character to a human flapper, making this an important transitional work in her evolution.

Visual Style

The visual style of 'Kitty from Kansas City' showcases the distinctive Fleischer Studios aesthetic characterized by surreal backgrounds, rubbery animation, and bold black-and-white contrast. The film employs the innovative stereoptical process for some backgrounds, creating a sense of depth unusual for the period. The integration of live-action footage of Rudy Vallee was accomplished through careful matting and compositing techniques that were cutting-edge for 1931. The animation features the characteristic 'boop-oop-a-doop' style that would become synonymous with Betty Boop, with exaggerated movements and expressive facial animations. The cinematography also makes effective use of the Bouncing Ball as a visual focal point, ensuring audience attention remains synchronized with the musical performance.

Innovations

The film showcases several groundbreaking technical achievements for its time. The most notable is the Bouncing Ball synchronization system, patented by Max Fleischer, which used precise timing to coordinate the ball's movement with musical lyrics. The integration of live-action footage with animation required innovative matting and compositing techniques that were sophisticated for 1931. The film also utilized the rotoscope process for realistic character movement, where animators traced over live-action footage to achieve more natural motion. The stereoptical process, another Fleischer innovation, was used to create three-dimensional backgrounds using miniature sets filmed between layers of glass, giving the animation unprecedented depth. The sound synchronization represents an early achievement in matching visual elements with audio tracks, a crucial development in the transition from silent to sound cinema.

Music

The soundtrack centers on Rudy Vallee's performance of 'Kitty from Kansas City,' which was a popular song of the era. The recording features Vallee's distinctive crooning style that made him one of the first male pop stars. The music was synchronized with the animation using the sound-on-film process that had become standard by 1931. The Bouncing Ball technique was carefully timed to match the rhythm and lyrics of the song, creating a visual guide for audience participation. The score also includes incidental music typical of early sound cartoons, using jazz-influenced arrangements that reflected the popular musical styles of the period. The sound quality represents the technological advances of early 1930s recording, with clearer audio than earlier sound films.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence showing Betty Boop's train journey from Kansas to Hollywood, with the landscape changing from rural to urban
• The transformation scene where Betty Boop gains weight and changes her appearance to fit Hollywood standards
• Rudy Vallee's live-action performance seamlessly integrated with the animated world
• The bouncing ball sequence encouraging audience participation in the title song

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews in 1931 praised the film for its technical innovation and entertainment value. Variety noted the clever integration of Rudy Vallee's performance with the animated sequences, while Film Daily highlighted the appeal of the Bouncing Ball format for theater audiences. Modern critics and animation historians view the film as an important example of early sound-era experimentation and a significant work in Betty Boop's early filmography. Animation historian Jerry Beck has cited the Screen Songs series as crucial to understanding the development of American animation techniques. The film is often discussed in scholarly works about the Fleischer Studios' unique contribution to animation history and their distinctive New York sensibility compared to West Coast studios.

What Audiences Thought

The film was well-received by 1931 audiences who were enthusiastic about musical entertainment and new technological innovations in cinema. Theater owners reported that the Screen Songs series, including 'Kitty from Kansas City,' were reliable crowd-pleasers that encouraged repeat business. The Bouncing Ball format was particularly popular as it created an interactive experience that made movie-going more engaging during a time when many people sought escape from the hardships of the Depression. Rudy Vallee's massive popularity as a radio star and recording artist helped drive audiences to theaters specifically to see this cartoon. The combination of familiar music, celebrity appearance, and the novelty of the animated format made it a successful component of theater programs during its run.

You Might Also Like