Mae Questel
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Mae Questel (born Mae Kwestel, September 13, 1908 – January 4, 1998) was an American actress. She was best known for providing the voices for the animated characters
Betty Boop Betty Boop is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer, with help from animators including Grim Natwick.Pointer (2017) She originally appeared in the ''Talkartoon'' and ''Betty Boop'' film series, which were produced by Fleisc ...
(from 1931) and Olive Oyl (from 1933). She began in
vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...
, primarily working as an impressionist. She later performed on Broadway and in films and television, including her role as Aunt Bethany in ''
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ''National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'' is a 1989 American Christmas film, Christmas comedy film and the third installment in National Lampoon (magazine), ''National Lampoon'' magazine's National Lampoon's Vacation (film series), ''Vacation'' f ...
'' (1989).


Early career and Betty Boop

Born Mae Kwestel in
the Bronx The Bronx () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the state of New York. It is south of Westchester County; north and east of the New York City borough of Manhattan, across the Harlem River; and north of the New ...
,
New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...
, to Simon and Freida (née Glauberman) Kwestel, she attended Morris High School and studied acting at the
American Theatre Wing The American Theatre Wing (the Wing for short) is a New York City–based non-profit organization "dedicated to supporting excellence and education in theatre", according to its mission statement. Originally known as the Stage Women's War Relief ...
and with the
Theatre Guild The Theatre Guild is a theatrical society founded in New York City in 1918 by Lawrence Langner, Philip Moeller, Helen Westley and Theresa Helburn. Langner's wife, Armina Marshall, then served as a co-director. It evolved out of the work of th ...
. Although she wanted to be an entertainer, her parents, who were
Orthodox Jews Orthodox Judaism is the collective term for the traditionalist and theologically conservative branches of contemporary Judaism. Jewish theology, Theologically, it is chiefly defined by regarding the Torah, both Torah, Written and Oral Torah, Or ...
, actively discouraged her from doing so, at one point forcing her to leave the Theatre Guild school. Nevertheless, at the age of 17, Questel won a talent contest held at the RKO Fordham Theatre in
the Bronx The Bronx () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the state of New York. It is south of Westchester County; north and east of the New York City borough of Manhattan, across the Harlem River; and north of the New ...
by imitating actress and singer
Helen Kane Helen Kane (born Helen Clare Schroeder, August 4, 1904 – September 26, 1966) was an American singer and actress. Her signature song was " I Wanna Be Loved by You" (1928), featured in the 1928 stage musical ''Good Boy''. The song was written for ...
. She was signed by an agent and began performing in
vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...
as an impersonator. Billed as "Mae Questel – Personality Singer of Personality Songs," she did impressions of
Fanny Brice Fania Borach (October 29, 1891 – May 29, 1951), known professionally as Fanny Brice or Fannie Brice, was an American comedienne, illustrated song model, singer, and theater and film actress who made many stage, radio, and film appearances. ...
,
Marlene Dietrich Marie Magdalene "Marlene" DietrichBorn as Maria Magdalena, not Marie Magdalene, according to Dietrich's biography by her daughter, Maria Riva ; however Dietrich's biography by Charlotte Chandler cites "Marie Magdalene" as her birth name . (, ; ...
,
Eddie Cantor Eddie Cantor (born Isidore Itzkowitz; January 31, 1892 – October 10, 1964) was an American comedian, actor, dancer, singer, songwriter, film producer, screenwriter and author. Familiar to Broadway, radio, movie, and early television audiences ...
,
Mae West Mae West (born Mary Jane West; August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980) was an American stage and film actress, playwright, screenwriter, singer, and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned over seven decades. She was known for her breezy ...
,
Maurice Chevalier Maurice Auguste Chevalier (; 12 September 1888 – 1 January 1972) was a French singer, actor and entertainer. He is perhaps best known for his signature songs, including " Livin' In The Sunlight", " Valentine", " Louise", " Mimi", and " Thank H ...
and others, as well as doing animal imitations. She was seen by animator
Max Fleischer Max Fleischer (born Majer Fleischer ; July 19, 1883 – September 25, 1972) was an American animator, inventor, film director and producer, and studio founder and owner. Born in Kraków, Fleischer immigrated to the United States where he becam ...
, who was looking for an actress to provide the voice for his
Betty Boop Betty Boop is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer, with help from animators including Grim Natwick.Pointer (2017) She originally appeared in the ''Talkartoon'' and ''Betty Boop'' film series, which were produced by Fleisc ...
character. Questel's "Boop-boop-a-doop" routine, done in a style similar to the version Helen Kane created, while at the same time evoking something of the naughty allure of film star
Clara Bow Clara Gordon Bow (; July 29, 1905 – September 27, 1965) was an American actress who rose to stardom during the silent film era of the 1920s and successfully made the transition to " talkies" in 1929. Her appearance as a plucky shopgirl in the ...
, was exactly what Fleischer wanted, and he hired Questel in 1931. She began as one of a number of actresses providing the character's voice, but soon took over the role exclusively.Erickson, Ha
Allmovie: Overview
/ref> From 1931 until 1939, Questel provided the voice of Betty Boop in more than 50
animated Animation is a method by which still figures are manipulated to appear as moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Today, most ani ...
shorts, the longest run for any actress doing that voice. During the 1930s, she released a recording of "
On the Good Ship Lollipop "On the Good Ship Lollipop" is a song composed by Richard A. Whiting with lyrics by Sidney Clare. It was the signature song of child actress Shirley Temple. Temple first sang it in the 1934 film, '' Bright Eyes''. In the song, the "Good Ship L ...
" which sold more than two million copies. In 1988, she reprised her role as Betty Boop in a cameo appearance in ''
Who Framed Roger Rabbit ''Who Framed Roger Rabbit'' is a 1988 American Live-action animated film, live-action/animated comedy film, comedy mystery film directed by Robert Zemeckis, produced by Frank Marshall (filmmaker), Frank Marshall and Robert Watts, and loosely ad ...
'', which was Questel's most extensive work for
Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...
; she had provided brief additional voices for some of Disney's earlier films. Along with her voice work, and occasional on-camera appearance in Paramount shorts, Questel also attended
Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...
, where she studied drama.


Olive Oyl

Beginning in 1933, Questel provided the voice for Olive Oyl in the Max Fleischer
Popeye Popeye the Sailor Man is a fictional cartoon character created by Elzie Crisler Segar.ZaSu Pitts Zasu Pitts (; January 3, 1894 – June 7, 1963) was an American actress who starred in many silent dramas, including Erich von Stroheim's epic 1924 silent film ''Greed'', and comedies, transitioning successfully to mostly comedy films with the ...
. Starting in 1938, Margie Hines, who was the original voice of Betty Boop, replaced Mae Questel when production made the transition to the Miami Studio, Florida. Questel returned as the voice of Olive Oyl in 1944 after the studio reorganized as
Famous Studios Famous Studios (renamed Paramount Cartoon Studios in 1956) was the first animation division of the film studio Paramount Pictures from 1942 to 1967. Famous was founded as a successor company to Fleischer Studios, after Paramount seized control ...
,
Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...
and had returned to New York, a role in which she would remain until 1962. She also filled in for
Jack Mercer Winfield B. Mercer (January 31, 1910 – December 7, 1984), professionally known as Jack Mercer, was a prolific American voice actor, animator and TV screenwriter. He is best known as the voice of cartoon characters Popeye the Sailor Man and F ...
as the voice of Popeye for a small number of cartoons, made when Mercer was temporarily drawn into war service, alongside Floyd Buckley and Harry Foster Welch. When
Hanna-Barbera Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc. ( ) was an American animation studio and production company which was active from 1957 to 2001. It was founded on July 7, 1957, by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera following the decision of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to c ...
began making the '' All New Popeye'' cartoons for television in 1978, Questel auditioned for the role of Olive Oyl but lost out to Marilyn Schreffler.


Other voices

In addition to her signature voices of Betty Boop and Olive Oyl, Questel also provided the voice of
Little Audrey Little Audrey (full name: Audrey Smith) is a fictional character, appearing in early 20th century folklore prior to starring in a series of Paramount Pictures' Famous Studios cartoons from 1947 to 1958. She is considered a variation of the better ...
. In 1958, she voiced
Wendy the Good Little Witch Wendy the Good Little Witch is a fictional comic book character from Harvey Comics. Like Casper the Friendly Ghost and Hot Stuff the Little Devil, Wendy is an opposite-type character, a girl witch who does good deeds. Publication history Wend ...
in the theatrical Casper cartoon short ''Which is Witch''. In the 1950s, she was the voice for the title character of the pioneering interactive Saturday-morning cartoon series ''
Winky Dink and You ''Winky Dink and You'' was a Columbia Broadcasting System, CBS children's television show that aired from 1953 to 1957, on Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Eastern / 9:30 Central. It was hosted by Jack Barry (game show host), Jack Barry and f ...
''. She provided the voice of
Casper, the Friendly Ghost Casper the Friendly Ghost is the protagonist of the Famous Studios theatrical animated cartoon series of the same name. He is a pleasant, personable and translucent ghost, but often criticized by his three wicked uncles, the Ghostly Trio. The ...
in Golden Records' ''Casper the Friendly Ghost and Little Audrey Says'' in 1962. In ''
The Flintstones ''The Flintstones'' is an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions. The series takes place in a romanticized Stone Age setting and follows the activities of the titular family, the Flintstones, and their next-door neighb ...
'' series she voiced characters from the spin-offs ''
The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show ''The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show'' is an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions that originally aired for one season on CBS Saturday morning from September 11, 1971, to January 1, 1972. With an ensemble voice c ...
'', ''
The Flintstone Comedy Hour ''The Flintstone Comedy Hour'' is an American animated television series and a spin-off of ''The Flintstones'' and ''The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show'', produced by Hanna-Barbera, which aired on CBS from September 9, 1972, to September 1, 1973. It w ...
'' and the '' Flintstone Frolics''. She voiced Wiggy Rockstone after the original voice actress,
Gay Autterson Gay Ruby Hartwig (born February 2, 1943, also professionally credited as Gay Hartwig, Gay Autterson and Gay Autterson Hartwig) is an American voice actress who has done voice-overs for animated television series by Hanna-Barbera. She is mostly kno ...
, left the role in 1982. She continued to provide the voices of Betty Boop and Olive Oyl in commercials, television specials and elsewhere for the rest of her life. In 1988, she reprised her role as Betty Boop in the film ''
Who Framed Roger Rabbit ''Who Framed Roger Rabbit'' is a 1988 American Live-action animated film, live-action/animated comedy film, comedy mystery film directed by Robert Zemeckis, produced by Frank Marshall (filmmaker), Frank Marshall and Robert Watts, and loosely ad ...
''. In 1935, Mae Questel played the voice of the Woman in the Shoe in the
Max Fleischer Max Fleischer (born Majer Fleischer ; July 19, 1883 – September 25, 1972) was an American animator, inventor, film director and producer, and studio founder and owner. Born in Kraków, Fleischer immigrated to the United States where he becam ...
cartoon, '' The Kids in the Shoe''.


On-camera roles

Questel played a number of small parts, including appearing with
Rudy Vallee Rudy or Rudi is a masculine given name, sometimes short for Rudolf, Rudolph, Rawad, Rudra, Ruairidh, or variations thereof, a nickname and a surname which may refer to: People Given name or nickname *Rudolf Rudy Andeweg (born 1952), Dutch poli ...
as Betty Boop in the 1931 short ''
Musical Justice (1931) ''Musical Justice'' is a 1931 Paramount Pictures musical short starring Betty Boop and Rudy Vallée. Plot summary ''Musical Justice'' stars Rudy Vallée as judge and His Connecticut Yankees as jury presiding over the Court of Musical Justic ...
'' and as a nurse in ''The Musical Doctor'' in 1932. In 1962, she played a Jewish mother in an episode of crime drama '' Naked City.'' In 1961, she was seen as a middle-aged bride in
Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis (born Joseph Levitch; March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian. As his contributions to comedy and charity made him a global figure in popular culture, pop culture ...
' ''
It's Only Money ''It's Only Money'' is a 1962 American comedy film directed by Frank Tashlin and starring Jerry Lewis and was released by Paramount Pictures. It was the final film of Zachary Scott. Plot Lester March is a 25-year-old orphan who is an electroni ...
'', one of
Fanny Brice Fania Borach (October 29, 1891 – May 29, 1951), known professionally as Fanny Brice or Fannie Brice, was an American comedienne, illustrated song model, singer, and theater and film actress who made many stage, radio, and film appearances. ...
's mother's card-playing friends at the start of the film '' Funny Girl'' in 1968, and as the "Jewish Mama from Hell" in ''
New York Stories ''New York Stories'' is a 1989 American anthology film consisting of three segments with the central theme being New York City. The first is ''Life Lessons'', directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Richard Price and starring Nick Nolte. The s ...
'' in 1989 in
Woody Allen Heywood "Woody" Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg; November 30, 1935) is an American film director, writer, actor, and comedian whose career spans more than six decades and multiple Academy Award-winning films. He began his career writing ...
's segment titled "Oedipus Wrecks"; she had earlier sung the song "Chameleon Days" on the soundtrack for Allen's film ''
Zelig ''Zelig'' is a 1983 American mockumentary film written, directed by and starring Woody Allen as Leonard Zelig, a nondescript enigma, who, apparently out of his desire to fit in and be liked, unwittingly takes on the characteristics of strong per ...
'' in 1983. Her last non-voice appearance was as the elderly Aunt Bethany in 1989's ''
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ''National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'' is a 1989 American Christmas film, Christmas comedy film and the third installment in National Lampoon (magazine), ''National Lampoon'' magazine's National Lampoon's Vacation (film series), ''Vacation'' f ...
''. In 1973, Questel had a role in the short-lived
ABC television ABC Television most commonly refers to: *ABC Television Network of the American Broadcasting Company, United States, or *ABC Television (Australian TV network), a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia ABC Television or ABC ...
sitcom A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ...
'' The Corner Bar'', but she achieved perhaps her greatest visibility in television commercials, notably playing "Aunt Bluebell" in ads for Scott Towels from 1971 to 1979, and appeared in spots for
Playtex Playtex is an American brand name for undergarments, baby products, gloves, feminine hygiene products, and sunscreen. The brand began in 1947 when International Latex Corporation (ILC) created a division named Playtex to produce and sell latex p ...
, Folger's Coffee and others. She also appeared on panel shows and in daytime soap operas.


Broadway

Questel appeared on
Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
four times: * ''Doctor Social'' (1948) with
Dean Jagger Dean Jagger (November 7, 1903 – February 5, 1991) was an American film, stage, and television actor who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Henry King's ''Twelve O'Clock High'' (1949). Early life Dean Jeffrie ...
* Leonard Spigelgass' '' A Majority of One'' (1959) with
Cedric Hardwicke Sir Cedric Webster Hardwicke (19 February 1893 – 6 August 1964) was an English stage and film actor whose career spanned nearly 50 years. His theatre work included notable performances in productions of the plays of Shakespeare and Shaw, and ...
and
Barnard Hughes Bernard Aloysius Kiernan Hughes (July 16, 1915 – July 11, 2006), known professionally as Barnard Hughes, was an American actor of television, theater and film. Hughes became famous for a variety of roles; his most notable roles came after m ...
– she reprised her role (as "Essie Rubin") in the
film adaptation A film adaptation is the transfer of a work or story, in whole or in part, to a feature film. Although often considered a type of derivative work, film adaptation has been conceptualized recently by academic scholars such as Robert Stam as a dia ...
* ''
Enter Laughing ''Enter Laughing'' is a 1963 play by Joseph Stein. A farce in two acts, it is based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Carl Reiner. The action centers on the journey of young aspiring actor David Kolowitz as he tries to extricate himself fr ...
'' (1963) based on the novel by
Carl Reiner Carl Reiner (March 20, 1922 – June 29, 2020) was an American actor, stand-up comedian, director, screenwriter, and author whose career spanned seven decades. He was the recipient of many awards and honors, including 11 Primetime Emmy Awards, ...
, with
Alan Arkin Alan Wolf Arkin (born March 26, 1934) is an American actor, director and screenwriter known for his performances on stage and screen. Throughout his career spanning over six decades, he has received various accolades, including an Academy Award ...
,
Alan Mowbray Alan Mowbray (born Alfred Ernest Allen; 18 August 1896 – 25 March 1969) was an English stage and film actor who found success in Hollywood. Early life Mowbray was born in London, England. He served with distinction in the British Army in Wo ...
, Sylvia Sidney and
Michael J. Pollard Michael J. Pollard (born Michael John Pollack Jr.; May 30, 1939 – November 20, 2019) was an American actor. He is best known for his role as C.W. Moss in the film ''Bonnie and Clyde'' (1967), which earned him critical acclaim along with nomi ...
and * ''
Bajour Bajaur District ( ps, باجوړ ولسوالۍ, ur, ) is a district in Malakand Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. Until 2018, it was an agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, then during restructuring that merg ...
'' (1964), the Walter Marks musical, starring
Herschel Bernardi Herschel Bernardi (October 30, 1923 – May 9, 1986) was an American actor and singer. He is best known for his supporting role in the drama television series ''Peter Gunn'' (1958–1961) and his leading role in the comedy television serie ...
, Nancy Dussault and
Chita Rivera Chita Rivera (born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson; January 23, 1933), is an American actress, singer and dancer best known for originating roles in Broadway musicals including Anita in ''West Side Story'', Velma Kelly in ''Chic ...


Personal life

Questel married Leo Balkin on December 22, 1930, and they were divorced prior to 1950. She married Jack E. Shelby on November 19, 1970; they remained married until his death. She had two sons, Robert Balkin and Richard Balkin.


Politics

Questel was a Democrat who supported Adlai Stevenson's campaign during the 1952 presidential election.


Death

Questel died on January 4, 1998, from complications related to
Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens. It is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events. As ...
at the age of 89 in her
Manhattan Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...
apartment. She was buried in New Montefiore Cemetery in
West Babylon, New York West Babylon is a census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Babylon in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 43,213 at the 2010 census. Geography West Babylon is located at (40.713399, -73.357106). West Babylon is bord ...
.


Selected filmography

* ''
Silly Scandals ''Silly Scandals'' is a 1931 Fleischer Studios Talkartoon animated short film starring Bimbo and featuring Betty Boop. This short is the fifth animated short to feature Betty Boop and the first time she is known as Betty after previously being na ...
'' (1931, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''
Bimbo's Initiation ''Bimbo's Initiation'' is a 1931 Fleischer Studios Talkartoon animated short film starring Bimbo and featuring an early version of Betty Boop with a dog's ears and nose. It was the final Betty Boop cartoon to be animated by the character's co-cr ...
'' (1931, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Bimbo's Express'' (1931, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Minding the Baby'' (1931, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Kitty from Kansas City'' (1931, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Musical Justice'' (1931, Short) as Betty Boop (uncredited) * '' Wayward'' (1932) as Showgirl (uncredited) * ''
Minnie the Moocher "Minnie the Moocher" is a jazz- scat song first recorded in 1931 by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra, selling over a million copies. "Minnie the Moocher" is most famous for its nonsensical ad libbed (" scat") lyrics (for example, "Hi De Hi De Hi ...
'' (1932, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' One Hour with You'' (1932) as Office Worker (uncredited) * ''
Crazy Town Crazy Town (sometimes abbreviated as CXT) is an American rap rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1995 by Bret Mazur and Seth Binzer. Crazy Town is best known for their 2000 hit single "Butterfly", which reached number one on the US ''Billboard'' ...
'' (1932, Short) as Betty Boop / Beauty Shop Customer 1 / Beauty Shop Customer 2 (voice, uncredited) * ''
Stopping the Show ''Stopping the Show'' is a 1932 Fleischer Studios animated short, directed by Dave Fleischer. While it is not the first appearance of Betty Boop, it is the first short to be credited as "A Betty Boop Cartoon." Synopsis Betty Boop appears on sta ...
'' (1932, Short) as Betty Boop / Aloysius (voice, uncredited) * '' Betty Boop, M.D.'' (1932, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''
Betty Boop's Bamboo Isle ''Betty Boop's Bamboo Isle'' is a 1932 Fleischer Studios Betty Boop animated short, directed by Dave Fleischer. Betty's hula dance was a visual high point of this episode and appears to be closely modeled on the hula dancer that appeared in th ...
'' (1932, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Betty Boop's Ups and Downs'' (1932, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Betty Boop for President'' (1932, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Betty Boop's Museum'' (1932, Short) as Betty Boop / Big Lady / Mummy (voice, uncredited) * '' Betty Boop's Ker-Choo'' (1933, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Betty Boop's Crazy Inventions'' (1933, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Is My Palm Read'' (1933, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''
Snow White "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is a 19th-century German fairy tale that is today known widely across the Western world. The Brothers Grimm published it in 1812 in the first edition of their collection '' Grimms' Fairy Tales'' and numbered as T ...
'' (1933, Short) as Betty Boop / Evil Queen (voice, uncredited) * '' Mother Goose Land'' (1933, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''
Betty Boop's Penthouse ''Betty Boop's Penthouse'' is a 1933 Fleischer Studios animated short film featuring Betty Boop assisted by Koko the Clown and Bimbo. Plot At Bimbo's Experimental Laboratory, Bimbo and Koko concoct a variety of compounds and elixirs, including ...
'' (1933, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''
Popeye the Sailor Popeye the Sailor Man is a fictional cartoon character created by Elzie Crisler Segar.I Heard'' (1933, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''Morning, Moon and Night'' (1933, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Betty Boop's Hallowe'en Party'' (1933, Short) as Betty Boop / Aloysius (voice, uncredited) * ''I Eats my Spinach'' (1933, Short) as Olive Oyl (voice, uncredited) * '' The Old Man of the Mountain'' (1933, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''Sock-a-bye, Baby'' (1934, Short) as Baby (voice, uncredited) * ''
Ha! Ha! Ha! ''Ha!-Ha!-Ha!'' is the second album by British pop group Ultravox, at that time known as "Ultravox!", with an exclamation mark, as a nod to Neu!. Although the group would later achieve fame and commercial success with lead singer Midge Ure the ...
'' (1934, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''
Betty in Blunderland ''Betty in Blunderland'' is a Fleischer Studios animated short film starring Betty Boop, which as released on the 6th of April in 1934. Also known as ''Betty in Flunkerland''. It is based on ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' and ''Through the ...
'' (1934, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''Can You Take It'' (1934, Short) as Olive Oyl (voice, uncredited) * ''
Betty Boop's Rise to Fame ''Betty Boop's Rise to Fame'' is a 1934 Fleischer Studios animated short film, starring Betty Boop. Plot In a live action sequence, a reporter interviewing Max Fleischer asks him about Betty Boop. Max obligingly draws Betty "out of the inkwell" a ...
'' (1934, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Betty Boop's Trial'' (1934, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''
Betty Boop's Life Guard ''Betty Boop's Life Guard'' is a 1934 Fleischer Studios animated short film starring Betty Boop. Plot Betty is spending the day at the beach, where her boyfriend Fearless Freddy works as a life guard. Betty is enjoying the ocean while floating i ...
'' (1934, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' There's Something About a Soldier'' (1934, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''
Betty Boop's Little Pal ''Betty Boop's Little Pal'' is a 1934 Fleischer Studios animated short film starring Betty Boop Betty Boop is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer, with help from animators including Grim Natwick.Pointer (2017) She origin ...
'' (1934, Short) as Betty Boop, Pudgy (voice, uncredited) * ''
Betty Boop's Prize Show ''Betty Boop's Prize Show'' is a 1934 Fleischer Studios animated short film starring Betty Boop. This is the second of a series of Betty Boop melodrama spoofs, which also included '' She Wronged Him Right'' (1934), '' No! No! A Thousand Times No! ...
'' (1934, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Baby Be Good'' (1935, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Stop That Noise'' (1935, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''Pleased to Meet Cha!'' (1935, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Swat the Fly'' (1935, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''The 'Hip-Nut-Tist (1935, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' The Kids in the Shoe'' (1935, Short) as The Woman in the Shoe (voice, uncredited) * ''
No! No! A Thousand Times No!! ''No! No! A Thousand Times No!!'' is a 1935 Fleischer Studio animated short film, starring Betty Boop. This is the third of a series of Betty Boop melodrama spoofs, which also included '' She Wronged Him Right'' (1934), '' Betty Boop's Prize Show ...
'' (1935, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''Choose Your 'Weppins (1935, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' A Little Soap and Water'' (1935, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' A Language All My Own'' (1935, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Betty Boop and Grampy'' (1935, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Making Stars'' (1935, Short) as Betty Boop / Babies (voice, uncredited) * ''Adventures with Popeye'' (1935, Short) as Olive Oyl (voice, uncredited) * ''The Spinach Overture'' (1935, Short) as Olive Oyl (voice, uncredited) * ''
Betty Boop with Henry, the Funniest Living American ''Betty Boop with Henry, the Funniest Living American'' is a 1935 Fleischer Studios animated short film starring Betty Boop, and featuring Carl Anderson's Henry. The short was also released as ''Betty Boop with Henry''. Plot Betty runs the loca ...
'' (1935, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Vim, Vigor and Vitaliky'' (1936, Short) as Olive Oyl (voice, uncredited) * ''
Somewhere in Dreamland ''Somewhere in Dreamland'' is a 1936 animated short in Max Fleischer's Color Classics series. The film was produced by Max Fleischer, directed by Dave Fleischer, co-directed by Dawn Fleischer, and was animated by Fleischer veterans Seymour Kneite ...
'' (1936, Short) as Mother / Boy / Girl (voice, uncredited) * ''
The Great Ziegfeld ''The Great Ziegfeld'' is a 1936 American musical drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and produced by Hunt Stromberg. It stars William Powell as the theatrical impresario Florenz "Flo" Ziegfeld Jr., Luise Rainer as Anna Held, and ...
'' (1936) as Rosie (uncredited) * '' Be Human'' (1936, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Christmas Comes But Once a Year'' (1936, Short) as Orphans (voice, uncredited) * '' Making Friends'' (1936, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * ''Bridge Ahoy!'' (1936, Short) as Olive Oyl (voice, uncredited) * ''
House Cleaning Blues ''House Cleaning Blues'' is a 1937 Fleischer Studios animated short film starring Betty Boop, and featuring Grampy. Synopsis Betty wakes up in the morning after her birthday party. The house is a shamble, and Betty is not looking forward to clea ...
'' (1937, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Whoops! I'm a Cowboy'' (1937, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' The Hot Air Salesman'' (1937, Short) as Betty Boop (voice, uncredited) * '' Bells Are Ringing'' (1960) as Olga (voice, uncredited) * '' A Majority of One'' (1961) as Essie Rubin * ''
It's Only Money ''It's Only Money'' is a 1962 American comedy film directed by Frank Tashlin and starring Jerry Lewis and was released by Paramount Pictures. It was the final film of Zachary Scott. Plot Lester March is a 25-year-old orphan who is an electroni ...
'' (1962) as Cecilia Albright * '' Funny Girl'' (1968) as Mrs. Strakosh * ''
Move Move may refer to: People * Daniil Move (born 1985), a Russian auto racing driver Brands and enterprises * Move (company), an online real estate company * Move (electronics store), a defunct Australian electronics retailer * Daihatsu Move Go ...
'' (1970) as Mrs. Katz * ''
Zelig ''Zelig'' is a 1983 American mockumentary film written, directed by and starring Woody Allen as Leonard Zelig, a nondescript enigma, who, apparently out of his desire to fit in and be liked, unwittingly takes on the characteristics of strong per ...
'' (1983) as Helen Kane (voice, uncredited) * ''Commercial promoting the Popeye video game'' (1983) as Olive Oyl (voice, uncredited) * '' Hot Resort'' (1985) as Mrs. Labowitz * ''
Who Framed Roger Rabbit ''Who Framed Roger Rabbit'' is a 1988 American Live-action animated film, live-action/animated comedy film, comedy mystery film directed by Robert Zemeckis, produced by Frank Marshall (filmmaker), Frank Marshall and Robert Watts, and loosely ad ...
'' (1988) as Betty Boop (voice) * ''
New York Stories ''New York Stories'' is a 1989 American anthology film consisting of three segments with the central theme being New York City. The first is ''Life Lessons'', directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Richard Price and starring Nick Nolte. The s ...
'' (1989) as Mother (segment "Oedipus Wrecks") * ''
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ''National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'' is a 1989 American Christmas film, Christmas comedy film and the third installment in National Lampoon (magazine), ''National Lampoon'' magazine's National Lampoon's Vacation (film series), ''Vacation'' f ...
'' (1989) as Bethany (final film role)


See also

*


References

Notes


Further reading

* Taylor, James D. Jr. ''The Voice of Betty Boop, Mae Questel''. New York: Algora Publishing, 2016.


External links

* * * * *
Mae Questel
at the
Internet Archive The Internet Archive is an American digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It provides free public access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, software applications/games, music, ...
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Questel, Mae 1908 births 1998 deaths Actresses from New York City American film actresses American musical theatre actresses American stage actresses American radio actresses Deaths from dementia in New York (state) Deaths from Alzheimer's disease Jewish American actresses Animal impersonators People from the Bronx People from West Babylon, New York Vaudeville performers 20th-century American actresses 20th-century American women singers Burials at New Montefiore Cemetery New York (state) Democrats California Democrats Paramount Pictures contract players Fleischer Studios people Famous Studios people 20th-century American Jews