The Flintstones - S1E1 - "The Flintstone Flyer"

The Flintstones

Season 1

Episode 1

"The Flintstone Flyer"
Original Airdate: 10/7/1960

Opening Teaser: The first ever glance at the Flintstones, opens with a shot of Barney Rubble on a chair.  The shot zooms out to show that he is watching Fred Flintstone bowl on a split.  Fred assures Barney that his will be relatively easy.  We then watch as Fred launches his ball down the lane, and the "rock" bowling ball bounces off the ground, splits into 2 half pieces, and knocks down the split.  Our characters then celebrate the achievement as we roll into opening credits.

Synopsis: Following the credits, we zoom in on a shot of the Flintstone's house.  Fred walks up to the door looking like he just woke up.  He is outside to grab the Sunday newspaper.  When he doesn't see it, he asks Wilma who is cooking breakfast, where it is.  He then sees the local paperboy delivering it to him - literally.  The paper clock Fred in the head, and he falls down dazed.

Next we see Fred resting on his hammock while reading the news.  He is reading the sports section when some sudden loud noises break his concentration.  He annoying goes over to the fence to discover Barney is attempting to golf.  He then utters a threat to Barney in order for him to stop the loud golf practice.  He then returns to his hammock to continue reading the news.

As Fred goes back to his paper, Barney continues his golfing.  He hits a line drive straight into the Tree where Fred is resting.  It then pops out a second hole and lands in Fred's mouth.  Barney then attempts to "play where it lay" and asks Fred to stand still.  Fred then grabs the golf club and begins chasing Barney around the backyard, thumping him on the head several times for even trying.

Barney races up a tree, and when Fred approaches, he attempts to use logical reasoning with him.  He tells Fred he needs a hobby, to which Fred responds that he already has one: "Peace and Quiet Outside" and threatens to break Barney if he doesn't get any.

Fred then returns to the hammock where he beings to nap.  He is awaken by Barney hammering something outside.  He annoyingly comes over to find out what is causing all the rack.  He sees Barney working on some random object in his yard.  He asks what it is, and Barney explains that it is an invention that will give him the ability to fly.  Barney then explains all the different components to his flying machine to Fred's displeasure.  Fred then tells Barney that he'll help him fly without the machine by beating him up for not allowing him to rest.

Fred then goes back to napping, while muttering mockingly about Barney's flying machine.  He is then awake by Barney flying by his yard on his flying machine.  Fred wakes up dazed, and then sees as Barney comes back upside down, showing off the impressiveness of his new toy.  Fred then falls back asleep, before bolting upright and realizing it works.  He then gets super excited about the idea, and runs over to an open space to talk to Barney about his machine.  He then attempts to take over as if the machine were his idea.  Telling Barney it was his idea, and that he can be Vice President to Fred's President of the company.  As Fred goes off on a wild vision, Barney looks dismayed.  They then discuss name, and where Barney wants to go with the "Barney-Coptor" Fred decides to go with the "Flintstone Flyer" instead.  Fred then attempts a solo run with the Flintstone Flyer.  Barney attempts to tell him how to use it, but Fred blows it off as "Details".  After Fred takes off, Barney mumbles how he was just trying to tell him how to land.  He then yells to Fred that he is too fat to lift up into the sky.  Fred mocks his yells with another "Details...Details" before riding right off the edge of a cliff, as Barney watches his fall.

We then see Barney walking back towards the houses exclaiming "Back to the Drawing Board".

We then come to a scene where Fred is sitting all bandaged up in his house.  Barney comes by the window to check in on him and his recovery.  Fred and Barney bicker over the mechanics of the machine.  Fred insists there are bugs with the machine, where Barney suggests Fred is too fat for the aerodynamics to work.  Fred then declares he resigns as president of the company.  Barney then declares himself the new president.  He also tells Fred how he will be missed later on.  Fred asks why, and Barney says how he cannot bowl for the championship in his crash-recovery state.  Fred then declares his intention to bowl that night.

Wilma enters the household with a care full of groceries.  She checks in on Fred, and is glad to hear he is able to go that night.  She then tells him how she almost returned the tickets.  Fred is shocked to hear opera when he thought it was bowling.  As she puts the groceries away, she explains how they've had the tickets for a month, and that Barney bought the tickets for all 4 of them.

Fred then marches over to Barney's house, and while he is working on his flying machine, Fred grabs the hammer and bops him on the head.  As Barney inquires about what he did now, Fred launches into a tirade about how they both have to go to the Opera tonight and have to forget about the Bowling Championship.  Barney apologizes.  He also asks Fred if he has something wrong with his head.  This leads to Fred changing his outlook on the situation, and mentioning that maybe his head issue will show up before they have to go to the Opera.  He then whispers something unheard into Barney's ear which causes Barney to grin.

Next, Fred is getting ready for the Opera by adjusting his bow tie while singing about bowling.  The doorbell rings, and it is Barney & Betty.  Fred and Barney seem overly enthusiastic about the Opera, while the women compliment each other's dresses.  Suddenly, Fred appears light-headed and dizzy.  His eyes begin rolling, he begins shaking, before falling over.  He is placed into bed where Barney agrees to watch over him, while Wilma and Betty go off the the Opera.  As they leave, Fred and Barney celebrate tricking the girls.  Fred then comes to a realization that they don't have transportation.  Barney tells him how he refitted the flying machine to support more weight, so they can both take it.

Fred and Barney both climb on the machine, and Barney begins pedaling away.  As they both struggle to lift off, Barney asks Fred to begin "flapping his wings".  With the added support, both take off into the sky. 

As Barney celebrates his machine working, Fred declares himself "re-elected" as president of the Flintstone Flyer Corporation.

Wilma and Betty are seen driving to the Opera.  Both feel guilty going out while Fred and Barney are left home alone.  Especially since the boys both wanted to go to the show.  They decide to call home at Intermission.

We next go to the bowling alley where Fred warms up as Barney watches.  Fred rolls a 7-10 split.  We then segue into the opening teaser where Fred splits the ball, and knocks out the split.  Barney then goes and gets 2 drinks from the vending machine.

Barney then goes to bowl, but gets his finger stuck in the finger-hole and goes flying down the lane.  After "striking" the pins, he is picked up by the Pin Resetter, and sent back via the ball return, with his ball chasing him.  His head then impacts Fred's ball, before his own sandwiches his head between both balls.  Fred scolds Barney's bowling ability.

Barney goes for anther strike as Fred tells him to not be too cocky.  Barney winds up, but loses the ball.  It lands painfully on Fred's foot.

Fred's screams of pain transition into the Opera lady hitting high notes.  The ladies are enjoying the show, but Wilma cannot help but feel bad thinking about Fred and Barney sitting home alone.  Betty suggests they go call them.  As they look for a phone, Betty suggests the bowling alley across the street may have one.  

As the girls phone home, we transition back to Fred and Barney.  Fred launches his ball down the alley, and it crumbles into a stone which then proceeds to knock over all 10 pins.  Wilma seems worried that the boys are not answering the phone.

Barney prepares to bowl again and despite Fred's warning not to, drops the ball on Fred's foot again.  As Fred screams out in pain, Barney points out that Wilma and Betty are at the bowling alley.  The ladies make plans to go home, when Betty points out that Fred and Barney are at the bowling alley.  Fred and Barney duck behind the ball return, and utilize a broom to make up quick disguises.

The ladies storm across the alley angrily.  They both proceed to smash the men on the heads.  When they look again, they believe they have attacked the wrong men.  In reality, the men have used the bristles on the broom to make fake mustaches.  They respond in fake foreign accents, as the women apologize for their mistake.  As the women leave, Fred and Barney shout out fake insults to support their disguises.

Barney goes to return to bowling until Fred stops him and informs him that they need to beat the ladies back to the house.

Wilma and Betty are driving home talking about their accident at the bowling alley.  Wilma seems regretful over what happened, where Betty seems more suspicious about what they will find when they get home.

Fred and Barney fly home.  Fred muses about being rich with Barney's invention.  Barney notices the wives driving home.  Fred orders Barney to begin peddling faster.

Betty asks Wilma how to explain being home so early.  Wilma says to say that they missed them.  When Betty asks about not telling the truth, Wilma mentions not trusting them.

As the ladies arrive home, the walk in to find Barney reading Fred a bedtime story.  As they begin to feel bad for doubting their husbands, Barney turns around and reveals that he has forgotten to take off his mustache, giving away their alibi.  The women proceed to violently punish the men for their transgression.

We then see the men running as they escaping from the wives who are chasing them.  As Betty worries about them getting away, Wilma tells her not to fear as they will eventually have to come back down.

As the women play Gin outside, the men stay in the sky for 6 hours, at which point Barney begins to tire out from all the pedaling.  Fred orders Barney to keep pedaling despite his pleas that he cannot.  The women suspect they will be back any minute.  The episode ends as we see the men slowly pedaling across the full moonlit sky.

Character Introductions:

Barney Rubble - Patriarch of the Rubble family and neighbor to the Flintstones.  He is married to Betty.  He and Fred are best friends.  He enjoys bowling, and doing different antics around the neighborhood.

Fred Flintstone - Patriarch of the Flintstone family and neighbor to the Rubbles.  He is married to Wilma.  His best friend is Barney.  He enjoys bowling and relaxing around the house.

Wilma Flintstone - Wife of Fred.  She works as a housewife, and serves as the voice of reason to Fred.  She is Betty's best friend.

Paper Boy - Young kid who delivers the Sunday News to Bedrock via his scooter.

Betty Rubble - Wife of Barney.  She works as a housewife.  She is Wilma's best friend.

Bedrock or Bust:

3 different locations:
- Bowling Alley
- Flintstone's House

- Operahouse

Best Jokes:

*Paperboy accidently nails Fred with the newspaper*
Wilma: Did you get your paper dear?

Fred:(struggling to breathe under the weight of the rock) Yeah...I'm lucky...it only comes...once a week

*Betty asking Wilma about the boys returning from the bowling alley*

Betty: What'll we do in the meantime?  

Wilma: We'll get meaner.

Betty: Wilma, they're getting away

Wilma: Don't worry.  Whatever goes up sooner or later comes down.  Especially the fat ones.

Yabba-Dabba-Doo Counter: 2

Fred - When he talks to Barney after discovering his flying machine works

Fred - When he hits a strike after his ball crumbles into a pebble

Bedrock Inventions:

Newspaper: Big slab of stone with the words carved out on it.

Bowling Pin Resetter: 3 monkey-like animals, using their tails to pick up the bowling pins.

Coco-Nut Koola Vending Machine: Vending machine that has a live human inside serving refreshments to anyone who puts money inside of it.

Telephone Receiver: Foghorn that appears to be developed from a Dinosaur bone.

Wilma's Car: A Tree Log that appears to run on it's own.  Foot power is not evident.

Violence Counter: 12

Paper Boy Violence #1

Reason: Attempting to deliver Newspaper

Violence: Clocks Fred straight to the head with a rock slate newspaper

Fred Violence #1

Reason: For Barney attempting to "play where it lay" on the golfball in Fred's mouth

Violence: Fred bashes Barney on the head multiple times with a rock golf club

Fred Violence #2

Reason: For Barney not stopping the hammering when he asks him to

Violence: Fred bashes Barney on the head with a rock hammer

Fred Violence #3

Reason: For not telling Fred he was going to the Opera

Violence: Fred bops barney on the head with a rock hammer

Fred Violence #4

Reason: Barney buys Opera tickets on the night of the Bowling Championship

Violence: Shakes Barney's nose with his finger

Barney Violence #1

Reason: Fred refuses to listen to him

Violence: Barney doesn't tell Fred how to land the Flyer causing him to crash and become injured.

Barney Violence #2

Reason: Loses grip on bowling ball

Violence: Drops rock bowling ball on Fred's bare foot

Barney Violence #3

Reason: Loses grip on bowling ball again

Violence: Drops rock bowling ball on Fred's bare foot

Wilma Violence #1

Reason: She thinks Fred has evaded the Opera to go bowling

Violence: She smashes him on the head

Betty Violence #1

Reason: She thinks Barney has evaded the Opera to go bowling

Violence: She smashes him on the head

Wilma Violence #2

Reason: Fred was at the bowling alley while they were at the Opera

Violence: Smashes Fred over the head with an unspecified object but later see 2 wooden chairs and 2 vases fly out the window.

Betty Violence #2
Reason: Barney was at the bowling alley while they were at the Opera

Violence: Smashes Barney over the head with a bowling ball multiple times.

Threat Counter: 9

Fred Threat #1
Reason: For annoying him on his day off

Threat: One more fore out of you, and I'll give you Lump Four!

Fred Threat #2

Reason: For not getting "Peace and Quiet Outside"

Threat: I'll break you in little pieces.

Fred Threat #3

Reason: For Barney not cutting out the noise

Threat: Rap on the Noggin

Fred Threat #4

Reason: Barney keeping him awake building the flying machine

Threat: Fist bone connected to the jaw bone and causing Barney to go airborne

Fred Threat #5

Reason: When the boys on the bowling team find out Barney and Fred cannot attend the championship

Threat: Fracturing Barney's skull

Fred Threat #6

Reason: Barney is not paying attention to Fred's train-of-thought

Threat: Barney will "Get It"

Fred Threat #7

Reason: If Barney's gadget does not work

Threat: He will unload a heavy load of five fat knuckles on Barney's nose

Fred Threat #8

Reason: Barney must hold on to the ball

Threat: Fred will "crown" Barney king pinhead.

Wilma Threat #1

Reason: The boys have evaded the Opera to go bowling

Threat: They're gonna be two sick friends

Notable Notations:

- Episode Runtime: 26:23

- The episode uses the original theme music for the opening title

- The paperboy delivers on a scooter

- The Flintstones have breaks in the laws of physics for a cartoony effect.  Barney must have super strong legs to support him hanging on the side of the tree or he possesses the ability to "stand" on trees.  This is seemingly confirmed later when he is also later seen running straight up a tree.  Fred also shows this when he walks up and down his wall.

- Barney Hobbies: Golf, Building Things

- Barney Invention: Flying Machine

- Fred's hobby is "Peace and Quiet Outside"

- Fred and Barney work for the "Rockhead & Quarry" bowling team

- Fred bowls on his tippy-toes

Conclusion:

It's interesting to look at the Flintstones in the modern light.  Back in the beginning, it was meant as more of an adult-themed show.  For people coming out of the 1950's it was light entertainment that was featured in animation.  There's a lot more violence and threats than I remember, so I added them as trackers on the blog.  I don't think there's anything wrong with it as it doesn't really give off a bad message.  Most of it is playful cartoony violence.  However, it's interesting to see how far cartoons have come since this time.  I'll track and see if it goes down as it becomes more kid-friendly.  It was a basic-level show but a very realistic one.  Sometimes adults can relate to.  Good episode, especially to introduce the main characters, and kick off such a legendary series.  

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