The Flintstones might be considered a cartoon classic these days, but it that wasn't always the case. Back when the show was new, reviews were anything but glowing. Probably the most notable review was in Variety, which dubbed the show a "pen-and-ink disaster", a statement Joe Barbera would often mention in the following years. These negative reviews continued even into the show's second season. Today, I share with you a review of the second season premiere in The Tulsa Tribune from September 16th, 1961. The piece was written by Bob Thomas, and actually reviewed a couple of fall premieres. I'll only include The Flintstones section since, well, that is what this blog is about!
Another Friday night debut was the second season return of "The Flintstones." This prehistoric cartoon is TV's Piltdown Man—a fraud
It's a cartoon, but it has no action and no comedy to speak of, or at least to laugh at. The background is stone age, but the idiom is modern.
What is it?
It's an unfunny "Honeymooners." Close your eyes and dim your ears and the voices of Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble could be Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. But the humor is not up to the "Life of Riley" level.
To demonstrate its affinity to the situation comedy show, "Flintstones" Friday night had a guest star, Hoagy Carmichael. Even drawn in cartoons, he seemed embarrassed at the material he was handed.
I realize that "Flintstones" was last season's success and started a rash of other nighttime network cartoons. The term is advisable
It's a cartoon, but it has no action and no comedy to speak of, or at least to laugh at. The background is stone age, but the idiom is modern.
What is it?
It's an unfunny "Honeymooners." Close your eyes and dim your ears and the voices of Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble could be Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. But the humor is not up to the "Life of Riley" level.
To demonstrate its affinity to the situation comedy show, "Flintstones" Friday night had a guest star, Hoagy Carmichael. Even drawn in cartoons, he seemed embarrassed at the material he was handed.
I realize that "Flintstones" was last season's success and started a rash of other nighttime network cartoons. The term is advisable
Joe Barbera remembered incorrectly. Variety said no such thing. Jack Gould of the New York Times did. You can read Gould's review here.
ReplyDeleteNice catch, and thanks for the link! With how much he mentioned it over the years, I must say I'm a little surprised to see that it was incorrect all this time.
DeleteThe Flintstones was never a favorite of mine. I think both Joe and Bill, extremely talented men, should be held accountable for stealing from another sitcom.
ReplyDelete