Flintstones: On the Rocks
You knew that Hanna-Barbera made some of the early Cartoon Cartoons, but did you know Cartoon Network Studios has animated Hanna-Barbera characters?
It’s true, Cartoon Network has brought some of these characters back to life in numerous bumpers and on-air promotions, not to mention their biggest project: Flintstones On The Rocks. This Cartoon Theater movie released on November 3rd, 2001 and made by Dexter’s Laboratory cartoonists, Chris Savino and David Smith. Their inspiration was to make a film that looked and felt like the original cartoon
“There were some similar designs done six or seven years ago for merchandising of the thirty-fifth anniversary of The Flintstones. The merchandising did not do too well, but at the same time those designs were never used for anything else. We thought this was a perfect opportunity to use them again and bring back the look and feel of what the Flintstones originally were,” Chris Savino told Hogan’s Alley, “the original Flintstones as they appeared in episode one in 1960 was not a kid's show, but a sitcom dealing with adult relationships and marriage.
Over the years the Flintstones became very iconic. Fred was no longer a fat loudmouth. Barney was no longer a short idiot. They became very contemporary, even-tempered and unappealing. We treat our film as though 1961 has rolled around again and are taking it from there. We've neglected Pebbles and Bam Bam as though they didn't exist, or maybe they do exist and are grown up and have kids of their own, but it's up to you to decide. We don't touch on that at all. We focus on the problems of marriage and deal with that 1950s ere where the woman stayed at home and the man was the breadwinner. We don't reinforce that idea in any way, but we've kept Fred in that traditional role and have given Wilma more of an update, which causes them even more conflict.”
The plot involves the Flintstones and the Rubbles taking a vacation to the Spanish-speaking Rockopulco, where Fred and Wilma’s marriage takes a dive. It doesn’t help that it was already sour beforehand nor that Barney and Beatty continue to improve their relationship. There is also another plot point involving a diamond, which is a staple of the Flintstones universe.
The motion picture has an appeal to adult fans with its humor, as well as the younger fans. The film even uses original music from the series! A DVD or VHS release is still up-in-the-air, as Chris Savino told the Fansite, “I'm not sure if the Flintstones is coming out on video or not. I'd sure like to have a copy.”
Featured Voice Cast
Jeff Bergman ... Fred Flintstone
Tress MacNeille ... Wilma Flintstone
Kevin Richardson ... Barney Rubble, Hector, Jewel Guard
Grey Delisl ... Betty Rubble, Mystery Woman
Jeff Glen Bennett ... Xavier, Club Announcer, Pool Waiter
Frank Welker ... Dino, Monkey, Elevator Guy
Tom Kenny ... Bellboy, Mammoth Vendor, Bed Monkey, Bowling Announcer
Zelda Rubinstein ... Psychiatrist