(NOTE 12-20-08: My blog post on Bettie's passing can be seen by CLICKING HERE)
(NOTE 10-15-08: For Update On Gretchen Moll who played 'The Notorious Bettie Page' in the film, CLICK HERE!)
The Nortorious Betty Page has been written about extensively on the web. She has also been mentioned a few time in our blog posts as there are Bettie Page comics!
'Betty' in the Comics was portrayed a little more 'risque' than in the Disney movie as seen above!
I personally loved the portrayal of Jenny by Jennifer Connelly in the Rocketeer movie!
(NOTE 08-14-08: For Update On Jennifer's Day Earth Stood Still Film, CLICK HERE!)
 
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The 'Notorious' Bettie Page was the 'model' for 'Betty' in the ROCKETEER 25 Years Ago!
Talking about the 'Betty' in the comic books, not the film, as the 'Betty' role was 'sanitized' to 'Jenny'!
The Rocketeer was created by writer/penciller Dave Stevens. The Rocketeer first appeared as a back-up feature in Pacific Comics' Starslayer #2 (1982).
The Rocketeer is a homage to the pulp heroes of the 1930s and 1940s, when pulps not comics ruled the fiction universe.
Briefly, the Rocketeer was a stunt pilot who discovered a mysterious jet pack that allowed him to fly. His adventures were set in 1938 Los Angeles and Dave Stevens gave the adventures a retro, nostalgic feel, influenced by, among other things, the old Commando Cody movie serials and pinup diva Betty Page .
Rocketeer stories appeared as backup features from 1982 to 1995, and were published in Pacific, Eclipse Comics, Comico Comics and Dark Horse Comics. The stories gained a cult following and critical acclaim despite what turned out to be long stretches between story installments.
Walt Disney Pictures released a film version starring Billy Campbell in the title role in 1991.
Jennifer Connelly, (second photo -at left column), played the role of the Rocketeer's girlfriend 'Jenny', who was modeled after Bettie Page in the comic books.
Bettie Page , (pic top left first column), was the beautiful 'notorious' art model of the 1950's that Dave Stevens had used images of in his comics. His 'Betty' in the comics was also an 'art model', and the Rocketeer had to rescue her more than once, (see middle pic for sample artwork).
Dave's wife Brinke was his model for the 'Betty' character, and Brinke went on to become a 'Scream Queen' and a comic book heroine also (Brinke of Destruction, etc) !
However, since this was a Disney movie, the 'notorious' Bettie Page reference would not do and thus 'Betty' in the comics became 'Jenny' in the movie and had a more 'sanitized' job of wanting to become an actress !!
The movie did not gross a big box office as Disney had expected , coming in only at 47 million domestic, so no sequel was ever filmed, although the actors were signed for a sequel!
This is one of my favorite 'comic book' movies, I love seeing the pre-WWII involvement of the USA on film !
For those interested in the Rocketeer comic books, we have a few in our eBay Featured Store.
Thanks for viewing this pop culture - comics - comic books blog post!
Michael |
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