The Flintstones: The Caveman Family Turns 60

On September 30th one of the most famous families on television, The Flintstones, They were celebrating their anniversary. They brightened up our evenings and made us imagine what the Stone Age.

The series created by the famous animators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, released by the ABC network on September 30, 1960, quickly became a classic. It had 6 seasons and 166 episodes. Ending on April 1, 1966.

The Flintstones series focuses on two families, that of Fred Flintstone and that of Barney Marble. In each of the chapters, its creators sought to recreate the life of middle-class Americans through the characters in the city of Piedradura. Where the protagonists got involved in funny and crazy situations with unexpected outcomes.

Flintstones Characters

The characters in the famous series increased as the seasons progressed. Likewise, some appeared more frequently than others. We'll mention the most well-known:

Fred Flintstone, a hard-working, sometimes grumpy guy who loves brontosaurus steaks and bowling. His best friend is Pablo Mármol, also known as the dwarf. If everything went well, he could be heard saying Yabba Dabba Doo!

The wife is Wilma Flintstone, who endures all the occurrences of Fred Flintstone, mother of Pebbles and also takes care of his pet, Dino. She's the perfect model of a housewife. On the other hand, she loves going shopping with a friend. Betty.

Then we have the daughter Pebbles, a very good baseball player. Later, because her age varies as the series progresses, she becomes the girlfriend of Bam-Bam, the son of the Marble family.

As the last member of the Flintstone family we have your pet Dino. Protects Pebbles and is Bam-Bam's toy. Every time Pedro comes home from work, his welcome is very cheerful and effusive.

As for the Marble family, it forms Pablo Mármol, which is the Pedro's best friend. Husband of Betty and no known trade. Like his best friend, he loves bowling and attending the Wet Buffalo games.

We also have Betty Mármol, wife Pablo and best friend of Vilma. He has a very distinctive laugh. His adopted son, named Bam-Bam, left at the Marble's door, which also has super strength.

In addition, they appear with some frequency the Martian Gazú, which comes from planet Zetox to reform by doing good deeds, and the Mr. Rajuela, who is Pedro's strict boss at the quarry where he works.

Curiosities

Although they were cartoons, they dealt with themes for an adult audience. Such as, Motherhood, life as a couple, work conflicts, difficult relationships between parents-in-law and sons-in-law, unbridled consumerism, gambling addiction, and even infertility. At the time, other shows refused to touch on these types of topics.

Whereas, Vilma and Pedro appeared together in bed, which shocked more than one viewer.. For this reason, in later episodes, they appeared in separate beds. Furthermore, for many years, it was believed that they had been the first couple to do so on television. Later, it was discovered that another series had already aired, in Mary Kay and John.

The Flintstones kept the record for the longest-running animated series since its cancellation until in 1997 The Simpsons surpassed it. It is worth noting that this cartoon was inspired by the caveman one.

The lyrics of the series' main theme were written William Hanna and Joseph Barbera in English. And performed by the composer Hoyt Curtin.

It was also the first animated series to feature celebrity guests. From musicians to actors. In its episodes, you can see Cary Grant, Rock Hudson, Ed Sullivan, Tony Curtis and Alfred Hitchcock, just to name a few. Although their first and last names were changed to make them more suitable for the Stone Age.

At one point in the series, it was presented by the Winston cigarette company. Some of its characters also appeared in television commercials.

They were close to disaster, because Joseph Barbera traveled to New York with two chapters written to sell the idea.. After 8 weeks visiting several studios, the young woman arrived ABC television network. After 15 minutes, the executives decided on the series. According to Barbera, if they didn't sign, he would have saved all the material and never promoted it again.

Initially, they were called The Flagstones. Its name was later changed to avoid confusion with the Lalo and Lola comic. They were also called The Gladstones before the final name of The Flintstones.

The Flintstones series featured technology that didn't exist in the Stone Age, but was similar to that of today. Of course, they appeared caveman-style. It's worth noting that these objects included telephones, telegraphs, televisions, record players, newspapers, automobiles, and airplanes. 

Other animated series and movies

Because it was an original and successful series, it led to the production of animated series, specials, and films. All of them were prequels, sequels, or spin-offs. But they never achieved the success of the original. 

As for others The Flintstones animated series, we have in 1971, The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show. Then, The Flintstone Comedy Hour in 1972. The following year, The Flintstone Comedy Show. In 1977, Fred Flintstone and friends. Then, in 1979, The New Fred and Barney Show. That same year, Fred and Barney meet the thing and Fred and Barney meet the Shmoo. Then, in 1980, again the Comedy Show. In 1982, The Flintstone Funnies. Later he appeared from The Flintstone Kids in 1986. And finally, in 1996, Cave Kids: Pebbles and Bamm Bamm.

The animated specials The Flintstones began in 1977 with The Flintstone Christmas. Then, in 1978, Little Big League. The following year Meet Rockula and Frankenstone. Then in 1980 they released two, New Neighbors and Fred's Final Fling. In 1981 they issued the same issue, Wind-Up Wilma and Jogging Fever. And in 1985, 25th Anniversary Celebration. Then, in 1988, The Flintstone Kids' ’Just Say No“ Special and in 1990, Hanna-Barbera's 50th: A Yabba Dabba Doo Celebration.

And among the animated films are: The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones in 1987. In 1993 they released three, I Yabba-Dabba Do!, Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby and A Flintstone Family Christmas. The following year, A Flintstones Christmas Carol and in 2001, The Flintstones: On the Rocks.

Due to its success, and the trend of bringing cartoons to the big screen, In 1994, director Brian Levant, with producer Steven Spielberg, released the film The Flintstone. Years later, in 2000, Brian Levant again released The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.

At the beginning of this year, 2020, A new series called was launched by Boomerang Yabba-Dabba Dinosaurs, focused on Bam-Bam and Pebbles. It's made for children of this era, not for fans who grew up with the cartoon. There are 13 episodes and it can be seen completely in its entirety. YouTube channel. On the other hand, last year the magazine Variety revealed that Brownstone Productions and Warner Bros. Animation are working on a new series, similar to the original.

This is a series that is still relevant today due to all the themes it addresses. With attractive plots that led to its characters to endless messes and with fun family humor. The same humor they used to get out of the tight spots they got into. The Flintstones has nostalgic viewers as its fans. And those who haven't seen it will easily get hooked. Tell us: Did you see the original series? Are you looking forward to the new cartoon? Image: Smash Mexico