Flintstones Memories

Yabba Dabba Doo! If you grew up in the 1960s, no doubt that's a familiar cry. Fred Flintstone, star of "The Flintstones" joyfully let loose with that phrase each night as he slid off his dinosaur crane to end another day of work at the quarry.

Ah, the Flintstones. They have now been part of the American consciousness for fifty years; the show debuted September 30, 1960, and ran through April 1, 1966. Why do the Flintstones hold such a special place in the hearts of many Baby Boomers and Gen X'ers?

Fred Flintstone, Loveable Oaf

Fred Flintstone was large and loud. He wasn't the sharpest rock in the quarry either. But there's no denying that Fred was loveable. He adored his wife Wilma, and was a loyal buddy to bff Barney. His blustery tirades would usually end up with a blushing admission that he didn't have all the answers after all. Most of us know a Fred or two in our own lives!

Wilma, the Woman Behind the Man

Where would Fred Flintstone be without Wilma? Wilma was no doubt the brains of the family - organized, competent, and at times exasperated. But in the end, Wilma and Fred were a perfect match; she helped him get his act together and he helped her loosen up.

Pebbles, Cute Baby

The birth of baby Pebbles Flintstone was an anxiously awaited TV event (my mom remembers that I did not want to leave home when Pebbles' birth neared; fearing I might miss it!). We could all "oooh" and "ahhh" over the cute little Stone Age baby, complete with a bone hair clip and spotted dresses. And of course let's not forget Pebbles' sidekick, the mighty Bamm- Bamm.

Barney and Betty, the Perfect Neighbors

Wouldn't we all love to have our best friends live next door? That's what happened for Fred and Wilma, in the characters of Barney and Betty Rubble. Barney is perfect for Fred. He goes along with Fred's schemes, and his simple mind lets Fred be the boss. And Betty and Wilma are the perfect girlfriends; sharing good times and solving life's little problems with their cleverness.

Visual Delights

Who needs today's flashy special effects? "The Flintstones" had plenty of visual jokes and novelties. I remember loving the way the characters' feet powered their cars. The woolly mammoth as vacuum cleaner. Woodpecker as needle on a record player. Birds as car horns ... the list goes on and on.

When you're with the Flintstones
you'll have a yabba dabba doo time.
A dabba doo time.
You'll have a gay old time.