THE MAN CALLED FLINTSTONE was the first-ever animated theatrical feature based on the highly-successful television series THE FLINTSTONES which ended its run in 1966 after six seasons and an astounding 166 episodes when it aired on ABC-TV. The theatrical version came out five months after the television series ended. Today it is rarely seen in some markets,but it was a great follow-up to this TV show. In this version,Peebles and Bamm-Bamm along with Dino are not in this one. This version focuses on Fred Flintstone his wife Wilma,and their neighbors The Rubbles(Barney and Betty). In this version(which in the opening credits of the picture features Wilma Flintstone portraying the Columbia Pictures model is a riot)Fred Flintstone is mistaken for a American secret agent Rock Slag,who was wounded while chasing after international espionage spy Green Goose and his girlfriend,Tanya.Fred is asked to take Rock's place and fly to Rome(along with Barney and Betty and his wife Wilma of course,leaving the children behind with the babysitter along with the pet dinosaur Dino)to help corral and captured Green Goose once and for all. The whole thing turns out to be a trap for Fred and the real Rock Slag,who comes fully recovered to comes to Fred's rescue and saves the day.The theatrical version THE MAN CALLED FLINTSTONE,released by Columbia Pictures was released in theatres on August 3, 1966 and produced and directed by William Hanna and Joesph Barbera,who also served as executive producers with the script written by R.S. Allen and Harvey Bullock(based on a story by Harvey Bullock and R.S. Allen with additional story material by William Hanna,Joesph Barbera along with Warren Foster and Alex Lovy) and for this theatrical version,which is by the way was animated of course featured the voices of Alan Reed, Jean Vander Pyl, along with Mel Blanc and Gerry Johnson with additional voices by June Foray,Paul Frees,Janet Waldo,and Don Messick(in fact Janet Waldo,who was also the voice of Judy Jetson and Don Messick were regular voice-over stockplayers for a lot of animated shows and cartoons for Hanna-Barbera). With a Running Time of 87 minutes,it was shown as part of a kiddie matinée feature for Columbia Pictures. However,Columbia Pictures re-released this feature again in the 1970's and during the early 1980's as part of its family matinée series that was to be shown theatrically. After this,it was rarely shown on television in certain markets.

A lot of fun even if you're not a FLINTSTONES aficionado. Fred Flintstone manages an all expenses paid trip to Paris for him and Wilma in exchange for some wacky spy work. Of course the Rubbles come along for the fun. This feature length version of the TV series retains all the show's charm, shows off a lot of modern stone age gadgetry (there's a particularly creative bird inside Wilma's camera). It's colorful, fast-paced and goofy. It's also laced with a few truly satiric touches...poking fun at airplane hierarchy, misguided doctors, as well as a bit of La dolce vita. Marred perhaps only by the needless inclusion of some dud songs (save for one performed by the inimitable Louis Prima). Alan Reed does the voice of Fred and Mel Blanc is Barney. Harvey Korman and Janet Waldo also provide various voices. A Hanna-Barbera triumph!

The Man called Flintstone came out in 1966, the year my Parents visited Europe. My British Secret Intelligence Service division is called 66 Alpha in an interesting coincidence. For a long time I have been a link between America and England. Rock Slag was an interesting secret agent. The thought of Fred Flintstone becoming Rock Slag is not as far fetched as it sounds. Just look how the theatrically released movie agent xxx was replaced in state of the union. Peter Strauss played the part of the President really well. I saw the man called Flintstone on television at my friend Cathy Lottens house in 1976. This film is well worth viewing for all ages. I think that my real daughters will like it. If you want peace you must be prepared for war. President Clinton may have scrapped 4 army divisions, and yet the American military is still potent thanks to the Republicans. Thank you to IMDb for supporting the freedom of speech that President George W Bush and I support. Support IMDb.

Since I was a mere tot of 3 when THE MAN CALLED FLINTSTONE was in theaters, I first discovered it when our local ABC TV affiliate showed it yearly on Thanksgiving morning. It became my fave thing about Turkey Day next to the Macy's parade, and when it became available on home video a few years ago, I found I still loved it! Lovable loudmouth Fred Flintstone is recruited by spymaster Chief Boulder to fill in for injured Fred lookalike Rock Slag, the James Bond of the Stone Age, to capture the megalomaniacal "Green Goose." Wacky hijinks ensue as Fred's chased all over "Eurock" by sinister yet bumbling henchmen and slinky glamour gals (the only people in the movie who wear shoes!) while trying to keep Wilma and the Rubbles in the dark about his new "Spy Type Guy" temp job. The spy spoofery ranges from grinworthy to hilarious, the songs are catchy, the voice work is delightful--what's not to like? Best of all for me, now that my toddler daughter has discovered...FLINTSTONE, I don't have to wait for Thanksgiving to watch it (and you know how often little kids watch their fave videos! ;-)!