In this half hour made for TV short film, Fred and Wilma help take care of a caveless little boy named Stony. Because of his rough life Stony has started an early life of crime. Fred is at first apprehensive about taking care of a young criminal, but learns to care about the kid. The kid though learns the spirit of Christmas.
Ok this plot kind of sounds like a bad PSA. However it really isn't. There is plenty of classic Flintstones humor, and like the original show, much of that humor is more aimed at adults than kids (the all cave girl network, don't slow dance with someone named Bubba). Also this special has some real heart. As I stated before I think that sentiment after times is more effective in films when attached to Christmas and this is true here. Fred learning to like the kid never feels forced, and comes quite naturally. As does Stony's reformation. Fred's love of Christmas feels genuine as well. Of course the fact that we already love Fred, Wilma, Barney and Betty helps make this work even better.
This short was directed by Ray Patterson. Ray had been working with William Hanna and Joseph Barbera since the 1943 Tom and Jerry short Baby Puss (he was an animator). Though his career started at Disney (he was an animator on Fantasia and Dumbo) he would spend most of his career with Bill and Joe, both as an animator and a director. Speaking of animation, the animators on this film included none of the classic Hanna-Barbera animators, as it was animated overseas by Fil Cartoons INC. (from the Philippines). Unfortunately because of this it is hard not only to find out who animated what, but even who all the animators were. However they did a pretty good job with this film.
Since Allan Reed, Mel Blanc and Gerry Johnson had passed by the time this film was made, Fred was voiced by Henry Cordon, Barney was voiced by Frank Welker (Hanna-Barbera fans probably know him best for voicing Fred in Scooby Doo, Where Are You?.) and Betty was voiced by B.J. Ward. Wilma was still voiced by her original voice Jean Vander Ply.
Overall a delightful little film.
So this is my last Michael's Christmas Movie Guide post for this year, but I will be back next year to write about more great Christmas films. I even saved some masterpieces of Christmas film history to talk about next year. So stick around. Christmas has always meant a lot to me and been very kind to me. Here's hoping it is just as kind to you. So spend time with those you love and make more great Christmas memories (I know I will). This is the best time of the year so god bless you all and have a very merry Christmas.
Love,
Michael J. Ruhland
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