"The Flintstones" (1960) TV series 1960-1966

Writers:

Joseph Barbera (writer)
Ralph Goodman (story)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

30 September 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Family | Comedy

Plot:

The misadventures of a modern stone-age family and friends.

Plot Keywords:

The Flintstones | Theremin | Suspend Disbelief | Cartoon Dinosaur | Dinosaur As Dog

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Jean Vander Pyl	...	Wilma Flintstone / ... (167 episodes, 1959-1966)
Alan Reed	...	Fred Flintstone (166 episodes, 1960-1966)
Mel Blanc	...	Barney Rubble / ... (166 episodes, 1960-1966)
Bea Benaderet	...	Betty Rubble / ... (161 episodes, 1960-1966)
John Stephenson	...	Mr. Nate Slate / ... (74 episodes, 1960-1966)

Also Known As:

The Flagstones (USA) (working title)
The Gladstones (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:30 min (166 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:G (Manitoba/Ontario/Quebec) (video rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (some episodes) | UK:U (video rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | USA:TV-G | Brazil:Livre

Company:

Hanna-Barbera Productions

Trivia:

The show was broadcast in black-and-white for the first two seasons (1960-1962), although all materials (episodes, Winston cigarette commercials, and opening/closing sequences) were always produced in color (thus the color versions of the "Rise and Shine" opening/closing credits that now air). The first episode broadcast in color was episode 3.1 "Dino Goes Hollyrock" (14 September 1962)

Goofs:

Continuity: Fred and Barney's boss's name keeps changing from George Slate to George Granite and back throughout the first season.

Quotes:

Fred Flintstone: Yeah, you laugh. You'll see, Barn, they know me in this bank, they'll help me right a way.
Bank Clerk: Look, pals, it's Fred Flintstone.
Fred Flintstone: Yeah, hi. I'd like to lent some money here.
Bank Clerk: [laughing] Ha ha ha ha! See that, pals? Fred Flintstone wants money. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Screenwipe: (#2.2)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Disco Dino Dinosaur

None of the other Hanna-Barbera cartoons were this funny--or this smart

"The Flintstones" was so dead-on satirical in its view of a prehistoric suburban world that I don't really understand it when people tell me they liked "The Jetsons" better. There's nobody I can relate to on "The Jetsons", no character who exudes any warmth or wit. The characters here (Fred, Barney, Wilma, Betty, Dino, Pebbles, Bamm-Bamm, Mr. Slate, Mrs. Slaghoople, etc.) have expressions and personalities which are instantly recognizable to an audience. They're a very funny bunch, and they often find each other greatly amusing as well (each character has a sense of humor--and their friendships really do seem like a bond). I don't know why the Hanna-Barbera team weren't able to duplicate the quality of this show in terms of its writing and voice-casting (perhaps it was all a fluke?), but "The Flintstones" has it all: great writing and voices which bring one-dimensional drawings to life, terrific plots, fantastic music by Hoyt Curtin. Not a kiddie show...not a sitcom...not a child-pacifier. "The Flintstones" is a minor miracle.