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

Writers:

Joseph Barbera (writer)
Herbert Finn (writer)

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 Flintstones' address changed several times as the series went on: from 222 Rocky Way to 345 Stonecave Rd. to 301 Cobblestone Way. The final ("official") address given was 301 Cobblestone Wy., Bedrock, 70777. (This is the real ZIP codes for Slaughter, LA.) The Rubbles live next door at 303 Cobblestone.

Goofs:

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

Quotes:

Barney Rubble: [Fred has just fallen down after taking a swing at Barney] Whale on the beach! Whale on the beach!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Fantastic Four (2005)

Soundtrack:

Rubble Gotta Get Rich

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!