BCDB: Cartoon Reviews: The Flintstone Flyer

Like most Flilntstone fans, I didn't see this one first, being as when I first saw this series it was already in syndication. If I had been one of those first-time fans, I wonder what my reaction would have been.

What we have in this first episode is the silly one-liners from Fred and Barney's silliness that fans remember. Although the animation is a little crude (for more crude animation check out the early Beavis and Butthead) but it is still memorable. Betty does change her look slightly in the coming episodes and Barney's voice changes as time goes on. But we are greeted with the same Flintstone wit and nitwit that we have all come to love.

My favorite part of the episode is where Fred is trying to fly the flyer on his first try and right before he crashes Barney yells out, "You're too fat, Fred!!" . I also loved Fred and Barney's unique bowling style that doesn't stray much as the series progesses. We also see the first of many variations of the Flintstone car, which in this episode resembles a hollowed out log on wheels.

Truly this episode was the birthplace of Yabba-Dabba-Do. I don't think either Hanna or Barbera knew what a gem they had created here. But we the long-time fans know it. Truly a masterpiece.

How can you go wrong with a Mike Maltese-penned episode? This is a great character-driven selection, complete with a pre-historic gadget, the namesake of the episode. Like all of the early 'Stones episodes, this one has the excellent animation style and direction that create the visual humor so crucial to a good 'toon.