On Sept. 30, 1960, The Flintstones first were introduced to television audiences by ABC. The Hollywood Reporter’s original review is below.
Cartoon interludes have spiced many a screen program, and Flintstones may rate same acceptance lavished on such predecessors as Felix, Betty Boop, Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Popeye, etc., although new TV series appeal stems from yak-track with Picasso-school impressionist treatment rather than standard hi-fi animation.
Stone-age characters Fred and Wilma Flintstone, with neighbors Betty and Barney Rubble, also could be tailored for major comic strip by-product, as Bronxy dialogue and earthy situations all play hokey without being confined by age, intellectual or time barriers. Storyline had husbands ducking opera date with wives to go bowling.
Voices of Fred and Barney were those of Alan Reed and Mel Blanc, while twitters of Wilma and Betty came from Jean Vander Pyl and Bea Benaderet.
Animator Carlo Vinci and background artists Fernando Montealegre and Art Lozzi, along with director Alan Dinehart under co-producers-directors Joseph Barbera and William Hanna, have delivered a likely companion piece to Huck Hound. — Ed Olmstead.
