Swat the Fly: Betty Boop vs. the World's Most Annoying Insect

Is it worth your time?

If you have about seven minutes and a weird fondness for rubber-hose animation, sure. It’s a classic case of "what if a cartoon character had a nervous breakdown because of a bug?" If you hate frantic, high-pitched squealing or cartoons that feel like they're vibrating, skip it.

Honestly, I’ve never seen Betty Boop look so genuinely agitated. Most of these old Fleischer shorts have this dreamy, surreal vibe, but this one is just pure, unadulterated stress.

The fly is a menace. It doesn’t just buzz around; it mocks them. It lands on the food, it lands on Betty’s nose, it basically dares her to do something about it.

The kitchen chaos

There’s a moment where the kitchen starts looking like a crime scene. Pots are flying, the stove is smoking, and poor Pudgy the Pup is just getting dragged into the mess.

I found myself actually rooting for the fly for a second. It’s got more personality than most of the side characters in Mister Cinders, honestly. It’s just living its life, and here’s Betty, armed with a swatter like she’s hunting a grizzly bear.

The animation is jittery, even for 1935. It feels like the whole screen is trying to escape its own frame. 🦟

• The sound design is basically just "ping" and "bonk" for six straight minutes.
• Pudgy the Pup has some of the most expressive ears I’ve seen in a while.
• I’m pretty sure the fly wins.

It’s not as ambitious as The Awakening, but it doesn’t try to be. It’s just a weird, frantic little fever dream. You watch it, you feel a bit exhausted, and then you move on with your day.

It’s a strange watch, for sure. The way Betty’s eyes dart around while she’s holding that swatter? A little unsettling. I love it.