Let's be realistic.

Highly Overrated But Still Good

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

"Chess-Nuts" (obviously a play on words with "chestnuts"), is a 7-minute black-and-white cartoon from 1932, so it will be 85 years old next year, and it stars Fleischer Studios' Betty Boop. Early on, we see two men playing chess and then the camera moves to the chess board where Betty Boop, the Black Queen, struggles with staying safe from a bad guy. But luckily, Bimbo is nearby to be Betty's knight in shining armor and come to the rescue. I may like this one here more than the regular viewer, just because I always though chess was a fascinating sport, so if you don't care for chess, maybe you should only watch it if you really like Betty and old cartoons. Also, the little fox is pretty hot in here and they made use of Betty's sexy physical side as they rarely did in other cartoons. We even see her in underwear on one occasions. This is also why I recommend the watch here. Thumbs up, this is one of Betty's more daring movies and also among her better ones. Also loved the "3 Blind Mice" reference.

Chess-Nuts (1932) ** 1/2 (out of 4)This is a rather bizarre mix of live action and animation. The film starts off with two men playing chess and then we turn to the animation as Betty Boop, Bimbo and KoKo take form on a chess board. We then see others come to life and before long a football game breaks out while the King chases Betty. I wouldn't necessarily call this a "good" movie but at the same time it's at least interesting enough to where fans of the series should be mildly entertained. Once again the animation itself is quite good but the first portion of the film is rather boring. Things finally pick up once Betty comes under attack as we're given some very Pre=code moments including her getting her dressed pulled up. The score is good but one wishes the film had gotten off to a better start.

"Chess-Nuts" begins with a very unusual combination of live action, stop-motion and traditional animation! Two old men are shown playing chess…or least sitting there at a chess board. Suddenly, the pieces have animated characters (including Bimbo and Betty Boop) pop their heads out and look about. Then, using stop-motion, the pieces dance about for a few seconds. Then the cartoon begins. It seems that Bimbo (one of the white pieces) is making eyes at the black queen (Betty). However, the black king is jealous and most of the rest of the cartoon consists of the two fighting over sweet Betty.During the course of this Pre-Code cartoon, there are LOTS of reminders that the toughened Production Code was not yet in place, as there are LOTS of sexual innuendos—even for a Pre-Code Betty Boop cartoon. You see her dress fly up repeatedly and even a brief scene where a small animal is staring up Betty's dress! Had the film been made two years later, there is no way the cartoon would have been approved to be shown to audiences in the US. Because of this, her character was changed—with a longer dress, less curves and no underwear shots. As far as the cartoon itself goes, it's highly creative and deserves high marks for being very different. Plus, as usual, the Fleischer Brothers animation quality is fantastic. But, the cartoon also lacks laughs and because of this, though unusual, is only about average in quality.

This Betty Boop cartoon should have had more laughs to it than it did. It was okay but had too few really good jokes.We see a real life scene of two old chess masters hard at work in a competitive match. The pieces on the board suddenly pop out into animated people here and there. Betty is the queen, of course and some old guy claims he is the king but apparently isn't really. Anyway, the bulk of the cartoon is this old geezer fighting it out with others, and with Betty on a chess board. Half the time they play a football game or just throw things at each other. Several times, the dirty old man pulls Betty's skirt up so we see her panties (this was Pre- Code), and that's about it.Overall, certainly not boring but not one of her best, either.