The Flintstones turn 50

The Flintstones is an animated television sitcom that poked fun at pop culture and itself become a part of pop culture. The show premiered September 30, 1960 to April 1, 1966 on ABC making today the 50th Birthday of the Flinstones. The series is oft called an animated version of The Honeymooners – the most popular show on TV at the time The Flintstones debuted – and the comparisons are hard to deny.

And just because this is The Movie Blog, and the Flintstones were on TV lets not forget that there was a live action film as well! The film starred John Goodman, Elizabeth Perkins, Rick Moranis and Rosie O’Donnell perfectly representing their cartoon counterparts on screen. There was a sequel with an entirely different cast called The Flinstones in Viva Rock Vegas staring Mark Addy, Stephen Baldwin, Kristen Johnston, Jane Krakowski which was a prequel before either of the couples were married. It wasn’t as good.

Check out this clever clip comparing the opening credits of the classic television show to the opening of the first film:

Later versions of the opening credits also included baby Pebbles being placed on Dino’s head to watch the movie at the Drive In. Shortly after Pebbles arrived their neighbours Barney and Betty Rubble adopted the superstrong Bamm-Bamm.

The show is oft said to have Jumped the Shark when they introduced The Great Gazoo, a snooty green alien exiled to earth who had magical powers and forever solidified Dum-dum as a valid insult in my vocabulary.

Some of my earliest memories include being in the hospital to get my tonsils out, and I had a Flinstones toy car with the whole family in it.

Happy Birthday Flintstones!