“I Wanna Be Loved by You” is a song written by Herbert Stothart and Harry Ruby, with lyrics by Bert Kalmar, for the 1928 musical Good Boy. It was first performed by Helen Kane in September 1928, who was the inspiration behind the cartoon Betty Boop. Kane who became known as the ‘Boop-Boop-a-Doop Girl’ because of her baby-talk, scat-singing tag line to the song. This version was recorded when Kane’s popularity started to reach its peak, and became her signature song. Two years later, a cartoon character named Betty Boop was modelled after Kane. Desiree Goyette performs the number as Betty Boop in the 1980s animated film ‘The Romance of Betty Boop’
“I Wanna Be Loved by You” was chosen as one of the Songs of the Century in a survey by the RIAA to which 200 people responded (out of 1300 asked). One of Marilyn Monroe’s most famous musical performances is her singing the song in Billy Wilder’s classic farce ‘Some Like it Hot’. In 1950, the song was a highlight of the Kalmer-Ruby biopic Three Little Words, performed by Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter as Helen Kane and vaudeville performer Dan Healy. Helen Kane dubbed the vocal for Reynolds’ voice. In Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955) about Jazz Age this song is performed by Jane Russell, Jeanne Crain (dubbed by Anita Ellis) and Rudy Vallee.
In a The Wednesday Play episode (“Up the Junction”, in November 1965, directed by Ken Loach), Carol White as Sylvie sings the song in a pub. In a Gilligan’s Island episode, Ginger Grant sings the song on at least one occasion for the entertainment of the fellow castaways. Her performance so impresses Mary Ann Summers that she takes on Ginger’s personality and identity after hitting her head. However, when Mary Ann tries to sing the song, her lack of talent makes her uncomfortable and she faints, snapping out of her amnesia.
In an episode of The Brady Bunch (“Never Too Old”, October 1973), Bobby must quarantine from the family after his first kiss with Millicent could potentially produce the mumps. Meanwhile, Mike in his den with Carol, pulls out his ukulele as Carol leads them in a duet of their own rendition. Alice pokes her head in, duster brandishing on cue with her closing “Boop-Boop-Be-Doop.”
