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The Flintstones
(Season 1)
Well, there’s a big gap between the nostalgic
memories I have of watching The Flintstones on weekend mornings
full of ads, and sitting down to watch a clean, uninterrupted episode
with opening teasers and my awareness of the humour as an adult. The
phrase “modern stone-age family” is only really understood by watching a
good few eps from the first season (1960).
You have to dismiss any presumptions of realism.
They’re a 1960s American family with caves and dinosaurs only as
incidental backdrops. It is actually a bit of a timewarp to look back
from 2006 and see their world. I had never realised how much The
Simpsons owes to this Hanna-Barbera show. The more you watch the
big, silly but ultimately adorable Fred, the more he starts to look—and
sound—like Homer Simpson.
The lovely neighbourly adventures between the
Flintstones and Rubbles made me envious—I have no idea who any of the
neighbours in my big Sydney apartment building are, nor am I likely to
speak to them let alone become best of friends. There are various
criticisms one could make of the show: it is patriarchal, it is
suburban, it is consumerist, etc etc. I say ‘pish posh’—it is
entertaining!
For example, the second episode ever (s1e2 “Hot lips
Hannigan”) features a “modern stone-age” rendition of the Beatniks and
their ‘oh-so-cool’ goatees and skivvies. This is hugely funny. I
recommend that if you do buy this collection, make sure you watch it
with a group of people. The show still works in our time.
The sound is quite good on the release, but what I
like best about cartoons is that their visual quality and crispness does
not age so the video transfer is great to look at. There aren’t any
special features but it does come in Italian, Spanish and French audio
and subtitles.
Season 1 Episode Listing:
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The Flintstone Flyer
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Hot Lips Hannigan
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The Swimming Pool
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No Help Wanted
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The Split Personality
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The Monster from the Tar Pits
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The Babysitters
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At the Races
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The Engagement Ring
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Hollyrock, Here I Come
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The Golf Champion
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The Sweepstakes Ticket
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The Drive-in
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The Prowler
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The Girls Night Out
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Arthur Quarry's Dance Class
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The Big Bank Robbery
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The Snorkasaurus Hunter
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The Hot Piano
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The Hypnotist
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Love Letters on the Rocks
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The Tycoon
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The Astra' Nuts
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The Long, Long Weekend
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In the Dough
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The Good Scout
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Rooms for Rent
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Fred Flintstone: Before and After
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