The Flintstones: The Complete Third Season

The DVD release of the third season (1962-63) of The Flintstones is indeed "a blessed event." This is the season that introduced the series' classic theme song ("Flintstones, meet the Flintstones / They're a modern Stone Age family... ") and, in a milestone five-episode arc, welcomed the arrival of baby Pebbles (her first words: "Abba dabba goo"). Impending parenthood inspired some of this season's best episodes, including "Mother-in-Law's Visit," in which Fred attempts a truce with Wilma's abusive mother, and "Foxy Grandma," featuring the voice of Queen of Cartoons June Foray as bank robber Grandma Dynamite, whom Fred inadvertently brings home to be a housekeeper. Other classic episodes in this solid-as-a-rock season include "High School Fred," in which Fred must get a diploma to keep his job, and in the process becomes a gridiron hero; and "The Twitch," featuring Bedrock idol Rock Roll singing his hit song ("There's a town I know where the hipsters go called Bedrock"). In an homage to Laurel and Hardy's Sons of the Desert, Fred and Barney attempt to sneak away from their wives to attend "The Buffalo Convention." Similar farce ensues when Fred dresses up as a woman to go to a ballgame on "Ladies' Day." "Ann Margrock" will appear next season, but the episode "Swedish Visitors" features a "pickinic"-basket-stealing cameo by Yogi Bear and Boo Boo. This four-disc set does not have much in the way of extras (only a pair of featurettes), but who needs extras when you're with the Flintstones? Because, as the song says, "When you're with the Flintstones," you'll have "a dabba doo time." And it doesn't get much better than that. Recommended. (D. Liebenson)