The Flintstones 

The misadventures of two modern-day Stone Age families, the Flintstones and the Rubbles.

Creators:

Joseph Barbera, William Hanna

Stars:

Alan Reed, Mel Blanc, Jean Vander Pyl

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Jean Vander Pyl	...	Wilma Flintstone / ... 167 episodes, 1960-1966
Alan Reed	...	Fred Flintstone / ... 166 episodes, 1960-1966
Mel Blanc	...	Barney Rubble / ... 164 episodes, 1960-1966
Bea Benaderet	...	Betty Rubble / ... 112 episodes, 1960-1964
Don Messick	...	Bamm-Bamm Rubble / ... 86 episodes, 1961-1966
John Stephenson	...	Mr. Slate / ... 73 episodes, 1960-1966

Storyline

This popular animated television cartoon featured two Stone Age families, the Flintstones and their neighbors, the Rubbles. Much of the humor was based on its comic portrayals of modern conveniences, reinterpreted using Stone Age 'technology.' Most notably were their cars, complete with absence of floorboards to allow them to be 'foot-powered.'

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Plot Keywords:

stone age | barney | dinosaur and man | working class | animal run appliance | 

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Taglines:

Something old - Something new! But nothing borrowed and nothing blue! A brand new idea - an adult cartoon series! THE FLINTSTONES!...a couple just like the folks you know - except they live in the Stone Age!

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Flagstones

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hanna-Barbera Productions,Screen Gems Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (166 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Flintstones: The Swimming Pool (1960) was the first episode made, (but was temporarily held back), after debut The Flintstones: The Flagstones (1960), but not the first one aired. This was because co-directors, William Hanna and Joseph Barbera felt that Fred and Barney's quarreling throughout a majority of their 167 episodes and would not a good way to begin their new series. Therefore, the third episode of the series The Flintstones: The Flintstone Flyer (1960) was the first one to air, following The Flintstones: The Flagstones (1960). The Swimming Pool was the fourth one aired, following the series' debut, "The Flagstones". Second, "The Flintstone Flyer". Third, The Flintstones: Hot Lips Hannigan (1960).

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Goofs

In numerous episodes throughout the series, the capacity of passengers in both Fred and Barney's cars changes back and forth from seating two passengers to four passengers.

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Quotes

Television Producer: [Having discovered Fred and wanting to cast him in the role of the loud-mouthed husband in the new show, "The Frogmouth"] That voice, that voice! He's the perfect Frogmouth! Get that frog! I mean, get that man! Get him up here right away! So you're Wilma's husband. I knew it, I knew it! One look at her, and I knew it! Tell me, Fred, did you ever do any acting?
Fred Flintstone: Well, heh-heh, one year I was in the spring play at Public School 158.
Television Producer: And you were Hamlet? Uh, Romeo? Er, King Arthur?
Fred Flintstone: Na-a-aw, no, none...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

First season episodes incorporated an ad for Winston Cigarettes into the opening credits (this version of the opening was removed for syndication). Due to the decision to use a standard opening and closing for syndicated versions of the episodes, numerous episodes have incorrect closing credits. Sixth & last season episode debuted with, The Flintstones: No Biz Like Show Biz (1965) dropped the "Meet the Flintstones" closing credit song, in favor of footage of Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm singing "Let the Sunshine In." (a reminder of Fred Flintstone's dream, earlier in the musical program).

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Connections

Spoofed in Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law: The Dabba Don (2002)

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Soundtracks

Freddy Funkstone
Performed by D. Caddell
Written by A. Smith and D. Caddell

User Reviews

Probably the most enduring of all cartoons!

THE FLINTSTONES hold a special place in my memory, as I'm sure they do for many people the world over. The series started in Britain in 1960, the year I had my very first job - babysitting for a neighbor. I was just 15. The two kids were total brats, screaming, spoilt, mashed potato slam-dunked over the wallpaper...but I didn't care, I was watching Fred and Barney live out there lives of near-perfection in a world that was starting to move away from near perfection! "Yabba Dabba Doo" must surely be one of the most recognizable cries on earth - WHO would not know its origins from 4 to 90?

The success of this animated icon probably lies in the simplicity of the Flintstone and Rubble clans. Everyone on this planet is part Fred, Barney, Betty or Wilmer at some time in their lives. Events depicted in each and every episode were things that everyone can, did (and will continue) to identify with. They are Mr and Mrs Average and if we all lived our lives and never achieved anything more than the Flintstones we could justifiably be happy. The show supported family values, decency, togetherness, love, friendship, clean living, laughter and it was environmentally aware, socially responsible and able STILL to reach children.

The lives of everyone in the Western World would have been that much poorer had it not been for THE FLINTSTONES. I can't say as much for the two appalling movie spin-offs!