"Christmas Flintstone" (also known as "How The Flintstones Saved Christmas" on VHS releases) is a Christmas episode from season 5 of the animated television series The Flintstones, which aired on ABC on December 25, 1964. The episode is about Fred Flintstone taking over the role of Santa Claus.
| "Christmas Flintstone" | |
|---|---|
| The Flintstones episode | |
 VHS cover | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 15 |
| Directed by | Joseph Barbera William Hanna |
| Written by | Warren Foster |
| Production code | P-131 |
| Original air date | December 25, 1964 |
The episode is followed by three Christmas-themed Flintstones specials: A Flintstone Christmas (1977), A Flintstone Family Christmas (1993) and A Flintstones Christmas Carol (1994). It has been released on DVD.
Plot
editFred gets a part-time job at Macyrock's department store in order to help finance the family's Christmas. Mr. Macyrock (voiced by Mel Blanc) initially gets Fred fired for falling into an out-of-order elevator shaft, but when Mr. Macyrock's assistant tells him that their usual Santa Claus is sick, he instead rehires Fred to be Santa. During his stint as Macyrock's store Santa, Fred entertains the children and customers by singing "Christmas is My Fav'rite Time of Year" and "Dino the Dinosaur". Mr. Macyrock tells Fred that he is the best Santa that Macyrock's ever had.
On Christmas Eve, two of Santa's elves named Twinky and Blinky, both of whom are 385–420 years old, appear to Fred at Macyrock's during closing hours. They explain to Fred that the real Santa Claus is sick and ask him to substitute for Santa and deliver presents to children around the world. Throughout his journey to countries worldwide on Santa's sleigh, Fred shouts Christmas greetings in French, Italian, German, Dutch, English and Swedish and also sings a reprise of "Christmas is My Fav'rite Time of Year".
Voice cast
edit- Alan Reed as Fred Flintstone
- Jean Vander Pyl as Wilma Flintstone, Pebbles Flintstone, Customer
- Mel Blanc as Barney Rubble, Dino, Mr. Macyrock
- Gerry Johnson as Betty Rubble, Gift-wrapping Lady, Girl #1
- Don Messick as Bamm-Bamm Rubble, Kid #1, Reporter, Blinky
- Hal Smith as Santa Claus, Streetcrosser, Dinosaur
- Dick Beals as Kid #2, Twinky
Songs
edit- "Christmas is My Fav'rite Time of Year"
- "Dino the Dinosaur"
- "Christmas is My Fav'rite Time of Year" (reprise)
Production
editFirst broadcast in 1964, the episode was produced and directed by Joseph Barbera and William Hanna, under Hanna-Barbera.[1]
Legacy
editTurner Home Entertainment released the episode on VHS as "How The Flintstones Saved Christmas".[1] Warner Home Video released the episode on DVD in Region 1 on October 2, 2007, along with the 1994 special A Flintstones Christmas Carol.[2]
"Christmas Flintstone" marked the first of four Christmas-themed The Flintstones animated works. It is followed by A Flintstone Christmas (1977), A Flintstone Family Christmas (1993) and A Flintstones Christmas Carol (1994).[1]
"Christmas Flintstone" is spoofed in the Robot Chicken episode "May Cause Indecision...Or Not", where the Great Gazoo appears to Fred and tells him that his society's celebration of a holiday has created a disruption in the time-space continuum.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c Crump, William D. (2013). The Christmas Encyclopedia (Third ed.). McFarland & Company Publishers. p. 185.
- ^ "A Flintstones Christmas Carol". DVD Talk. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
- ^ https://screenrant.com/robot-chicken-season-11-video-flintstones-christmas-parody/