In 1934, Fleischer Studios released Poor Cinderella—its first color cartoon and a rare showcase for Betty Boop outside her usual black-and-white world. Part of Paramount’s Color Classics series, the short used the two-clolor Cinecolor process, giving audiences a pastel-hued fairy tale filled with charm, music, and Boop’s signature style.
In this retelling of the classic Cinderella story, Betty plays the title role, complete with red hair (a surprising change from her usual black curls). The short blends gentle humor, stylish animation, and catchy tunes as Cinderella, with the help of a fairy godmother, wins the prince's heart at the royal ball.
At the time, Walt Disney held an exclusive contract with Technicolor for its superior three-color process. As a result, Fleischer and other studios had to rely on Cinecolor, a more limited two-color system that still allowed for vibrant visuals, but with a narrower palette.
Though Fleischer was often in Disney’s shadow, Poor Cinderella proved the studio could deliver artistry and innovation on its own terms. Today, it’s in the public domain, making it easily accessible for fans and historians alike.