Baby Esther Jones the Original Betty Boop
- 8 years ago
Betty Boop was originally based on a black woman known as Esther Jones whos real identity was in fact Gertrude Saunders, but is better known as Ester Baby Jones. In her earlier career she was known by her stage name Baby Esther sometimes spelled Baby Ester, who was an African-American singer and entertainer of the late 1920s. Her baby singing style often included the phrase, “Boop-oop-a-doop”. She performed regularly at the Cotton Club in Harlem. Theatrical Manager Lou Walton testified during the Fleischer v. Kane trial, that Helen Kane saw Baby Esthers cabaret act in 1928 with him and appropriated Jones baby voice style of singing and changed the interpolated words ‘Boo-Boo-Boo & ‘Doo-Doo-Doo to ‘Boop-boop-a-doop for a recording of I Wanna Be Loved By You. Kane has never publicly admitted that she copied. Jones style, as imitated by Kane, went on to become the inspiration for the voice of the cartoon character Betty Boop.\r
\r
When Kane attempted to sue Fleischer Studios for using her persona, the studios defended themselves by arguing that Kane herself had taken it from Baby Esther Jones. An early test sound film of Baby Esthers performance was used as evidence. In addition to adducing Baby Esthers performances, they showed performances by actress Clara Bow, who also had the Betty Boop style of dress and hair and a French singer called Felix Mayol who had booped in 1913, and one witness claimed that Edith Griffith had also Booped before Kane.\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
The name Esther might have been a pseudonym to protect the performer and was most likely her stage name Baby Esther, it is indicated that her true persona was that of Gertrude Saunders, a light skinned beauty who claimed in late 1934 that she was the originator of Boop-Boop-a-Doop and had invented it and had stated that she had headlined at the trial and had Booped before Betty Boop and Helen Kane. Gertrude was well known in Broadway and had been performing in cabaret shows since the early 1920s, most frequently the Cotton Club. Gertrude Saunders was the antithesis of Bessie Smith, their personalities and looks contrasted sharply: Gertrudes complexion was light, her hair long and her disposition gentle. She was also slim and quite a bit younger than Bessie. The artistic gap that separated the two was equally wide: Gertrude Saunders relied more on her looks than on her voice. “She was the opposite of Bessie,” said Ruby (Bessies niece), making no secret of her disdain. “She had light skin and long curly good hair and a gorgeous figure, and she knew it. In fact, she thought her shit didnt stink. If you search for births and dates of Esther Jones you will be unable to find any information, as the name was a pseudonym as the real performer was declared dead by her manager in which is the reason why she was unable to attend the trial, but in late 1934 all of the information was given in a interview to the African American Magazine. As well as being able to use the baby singing technique she was also able to adapt her vocals to high-pitched Opera and singing Jazz in a deeper sounding voice, and had a great Broadway career.\r
\r
In late 1934-1950 Gertrude known sometimes as Gertie or Flo was classed as originator and inventor of Boop-Boop-a-Doop and the name Esther had vanished into thin air, indicating that Gertrude was Esthers true identity, until 1985, where the name Esther had resurfaced. Her Boop-Boop-a-Doop style of singing was given tribute by other African American performers such as Rose Murphy, which was later imitated by Cyndi Lauper of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun fame.\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
Jones/Saunders is an originator of scat singing, who made meaningless sounds, and made funny expressions while performing, and will forever be known as the originator of Boop-Boop-a-Doop, which was then stole by the Fleischer Studios and imitated by a vast range of white women who stole her idea and made a fortune with it and claimed it as their own, without giving credit where it was due. The Fleischers and Paramount used Jones name and footage of her performing to save their behinds but was not given full credit but today it is acknowledged that a black woman created the popular phrase and influenced the character, right down to her look and style. Paramount made a Victory Newsreel which featured several Baby Esther impersonators.\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
When Kane attempted to sue Fleischer Studios for using her persona, the studios defended themselves by arguing that Kane herself had taken it from Baby Esther Jones. An early test sound film of Baby Esthers performance was used as evidence. In addition to adducing Baby Esthers performances, they showed performances by actress Clara Bow, who also had the Betty Boop style of dress and hair and a French singer called Felix Mayol who had booped in 1913, and one witness claimed that Edith Griffith had also Booped before Kane.\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
The name Esther might have been a pseudonym to protect the performer and was most likely her stage name Baby Esther, it is indicated that her true persona was that of Gertrude Saunders, a light skinned beauty who claimed in late 1934 that she was the originator of Boop-Boop-a-Doop and had invented it and had stated that she had headlined at the trial and had Booped before Betty Boop and Helen Kane. Gertrude was well known in Broadway and had been performing in cabaret shows since the early 1920s, most frequently the Cotton Club. Gertrude Saunders was the antithesis of Bessie Smith, their personalities and looks contrasted sharply: Gertrudes complexion was light, her hair long and her disposition gentle. She was also slim and quite a bit younger than Bessie. The artistic gap that separated the two was equally wide: Gertrude Saunders relied more on her looks than on her voice. “She was the opposite of Bessie,” said Ruby (Bessies niece), making no secret of her disdain. “She had light skin and long curly good hair and a gorgeous figure, and she knew it. In fact, she thought her shit didnt stink. If you search for births and dates of Esther Jones you will be unable to find any information, as the name was a pseudonym as the real performer was declared dead by her manager in which is the reason why she was unable to attend the trial, but in late 1934 all of the information was given in a interview to the African American Magazine. As well as being able to use the baby singing technique she was also able to adapt her vocals to high-pitched Opera and singing Jazz in a deeper sounding voice, and had a great Broadway career.\r
\r
In late 1934-1950 Gertrude known sometimes as Gertie or Flo was classed as originator and inventor of Boop-Boop-a-Doop and the name Esther had vanished into thin air, indicating that Gertrude was Esthers true identity, until 1985, where the name Esther had resurfaced. Her Boop-Boop-a-Doop style of singing was given tribute by other African American performers such as Rose Murphy, which was later imitated by Cyndi Lauper of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun fame.\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
Jones/Saunders is an originator of scat singing, who made meaningless sounds, and made funny expressions while performing, and will forever be known as the originator of Boop-Boop-a-Doop, which was then stole by the Fleischer Studios and imitated by a vast range of white women who stole her idea and made a fortune with it and claimed it as their own, without giving credit where it was due. The Fleischers and Paramount used Jones name and footage of her performing to save their behinds but was not given full credit but today it is acknowledged that a black woman created the popular phrase and influenced the character, right down to her look and style. Paramount made a Victory Newsreel which featured several Baby Esther impersonators.\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
\r
\r