A good deal of the pre-Production Code Betty Boop cartoons are daring and creative, with content that makes one amazed at what's gotten away with. While the later Betty Boop cartoons made after the Code was enforced are still watchable and exceptionally well-made, they are so toned down that they feel bland.
Fleischer were responsible for some brilliant cartoons, some of them still among my favourites. Their visual style was often stunning and some of the most imaginative and ahead of its time in animation. The character of Betty Boop, one of their most famous and prolific characters, may not be for all tastes and sadly not as popular now, but her sex appeal was quite daring for the time and to me there is an adorable sensual charm about her. The good news is that she has not lost her charm, despite being significantly toned down, she is still cute and her comic timing is good.
The animation is as to be expected outstanding, being beautifully drawn, crisply shaded and meticulous in detail. The music is infectious, lush and dynamic.
'So Does an Automobile' has some amusing moments without ever being hilarious, it is stranger than most later Betty Boop cartoons and all the better for it (some of it indeed has to be seen to be believed) and it is cute without being too saccharine. The voice is reliably good.
On the other hand, the story is slight and one does miss the risqué and surreal edge of the pre-Production Code Betty Boop cartoons.
Otherwise, 'So Does an Automobile' is a well made and enjoyable cartoon, one of the better later Betty Boop cartoons. 8/10 Bethany Cox
