Favorite Flintstones opening / closing

[zoombie]

Which opening / closing of the Flintstones is better? The original "Rise and Shine" or the more famous "Meet The Flintstones.

Base the answer not just on the theme songs, but the animation as well.

The more I see it, the more I like the "Rise And Shine" opening and closing better. The animation is not as good as the later "Meet The Flintstones", but the concept of Fred coming home from work that was an excellent concept, and the original closing is better, the way the cat locked Fred out of the house was better originally with the cat beating Fred to the inside of the door, rather than come through the window and throw him out.

Another thing, I like the construction site wistle in the first "Meet The Flintstones" with the wistle sounding like a bird, than the later version. They never should have changed that.

[Mr Flintstone]

Meet the Flintstones. Probably because that's the one I grew up on.

[88fingers]

Personally, I prefer Rise and Shine because I like seeing more of Bedrock, and I think the TV at the end makes more sense than the drive-in movie screen.

But I'd say that, more or less, the opening themes and visual styles fit their respective seasons appropriately.

[Brainatra]

Personally, I prefer Rise and Shine because I like seeing more of Bedrock, and I think the TV at the end makes more sense than the drive-in movie screen.

But I'd say that, more or less, the opening themes and visual styles fit their respective seasons appropriately.

Drive-ins were pretty big business still in the 60s, thus the family heading out to the drive-in would've made sense.

But to vote, I'll pick "Meet the Flintstones" (the more iconic opening of the two)...

[Kolbar]

How can you even ask?!? ;)

"Meet the Flintstones" has such a kinetic appeal to it and has this power to get you really pumped up for the show. "Rise and Shine" is alright, and I have nothing against it, but Hanna-Barbera is renowned for their theme songs, and "Meet the Flintstones" is a good reason why. And I love the ultra jazzy feel to it.

[88fingers]

Drive-ins were pretty big business still in the 60s, thus the family heading out to the drive-in would've made sense.

I meant the TV made sense because we (the audience) are watching the Flintstones on TV, and the original opening ends by zooming into the TV screen Fred is watching. I'm not saying it's necessary, I just like the effect.

[Steve Carras]

Rise & Shine, even if it were swiped from Bugs Bunny's TV theme...I thought this also included closing credit sequence..

[Eric Brown]

I meant the TV made sense because we (the audience) are watching the Flintstones on TV, and the original opening ends by zooming into the TV screen Fred is watching. I'm not saying it's necessary, I just like the effect.


Interestingly enough, as you probably already know, the segment where Fred grabs his supper and plunks in front of the TV was never part of the original Rise and Shine opener. The original R&S opener ended as Fred walked in the front door. From that point, the shows sponsors were introduced.

Also as a side note (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) I believe the entire R&S opener was animated by long time MGM and H-B animator Ken Muse.

[88fingers]

Interestingly enough, as you probably already know, the segment where Fred grabs his supper and plunks in front of the TV was never part of the original Rise and Shine opener. The original R&S opener ended as Fred walked in the front door. From that point, the shows sponsors were introduced.

I've never heard that! Webrock, which usually seems very authoratative, also suggests the TV segment was always there from the original airings (on their FAQ here (http://www.topthat.net/webrock/faq/faq6.htm)).

Eric, or anyone else, do you know of a source that indicates the TV segment was a later addition? I don't quite see when or why it would have been added, since the Rise and Shine opener was reportedly lost until the 1990s.

Anyone have more info?

[AnimationX]

I chose Meet the Flinstones because that was the opening I remember most from my childhood. Even though I was never a big fan of The Flinstones I did appreciate the opening/ending to the show and I loved Fruity Pebbles as a kid and still do to this day, haha.

[Eric Brown]

I've never heard that! Webrock, which usually seems very authoratative, also suggests the TV segment was always there from the original airings (on their FAQ here (http://www.topthat.net/webrock/faq/faq6.htm)).

Eric, or anyone else, do you know of a source that indicates the TV segment was a later addition? I don't quite see when or why it would have been added, since the Rise and Shine opener was reportedly lost until the 1990s.

Anyone have more info?


I do have a reference.
"The Flintstone Laserock Supplement" was produced on the old laserdisk video format sometime (I think) in the late 80's. I have a VHS copy of that laser disc video. On that copy they have the "Fred in front of the TV and zipping up the bird" segment, but in the old commercials portion of the video, they have the part of the R & S opener where Fred enters the front door and then goes straight to the sponsor intro. Also for the closing segment, a final sponsor reference is shown and it then goes straight to the outside shot for the closing credit segment.
This is the way I had always remembered it, since I was there and watching when the Flintstones premiered in 1960.

THANX

[MeanMachine00]

I like seeing more of Bedrock as well..,,simpsons must have had that in mind whem homer was leaving work with the opening of the simpsons. BUT I have to go with meet the Flintstones as thats the one I grew up with also, and the drive in movie is classic.