Sunshine on the Brain

I woke up this morning with a certain song running through my brain.  The song is found in the first episode of Season 6, called No Biz Like Show Biz. 

The show is about Fred discovering Pebbles and Bamm Bamm can play musical instruments. After a small nap, he sees Pebbles and Bamm Bamm signing with perfect pitch. They call famous manager Eppy Brianstone to take care of the two small wonders. The kids have become overnight hits and it’s mostly Wilma and Betty along with the manager who takes care of them, leaving Fred and Barney aside. On the eve of going to Eurock, Pebbles and Bamm Bamm are due to play at the Bedrock Theater. Having enough of the media circus, Fred and Barney hatch a plan to snatch the kids, forgetting they signed a contract with Brianstone leaving him total control of the kids’ lives.

And the song Pebbles and Bam Bam sang?  Open Up Your Heart and Let The Sunshine In.

Why this song would be running through my head is a mystery.  Is it because over the past month, I have faced death several times, been lied on, vandalized and generally have no sense of direction as to where my life is heading?  I’ve analyzed the lyrics trying to find some shred of reasoning:

Mommy told me something

A little kid should know

It’s all about the devil

And I’ve learned to hate him so

She said he causes trouble

When you let him in the room,

He will never ever leave you

If your heart is filled with gloom

 

So let the sun shine in

Face it with a grin

Smilers never lose

And frowners never win

So let the sun shine in

Face it with a grin

Open up your heart and let the sun shine in

 

When you are unhappy

The devil wears a grin

But oh, he starts to running

When the light comes pouring in

I know he’ll be unhappy

‘Cause I’ll never wear a frown

Maybe if we keep on smiling

He’ll get tired of hanging ’round.

 

If I forget to say my prayers

The devil jumps with glee

But he feels so awful awful

When he sees me on my knees

So if you’re full of trouble

And you never seem to win

Just open up your heart and let the sun shine in

 

So let the sun shine in

Face it with a grin

Smilers never lose

And frowners never win

So let the sun shine in

Face it with a grin

Open up your heart

And let the sun shine in

Well, my “mommy” did teach me about the devil.  In fact, that’s mostly all she taught me being raised in a bible-thumping household.  But, I don’t know all about this “smilers never lose and frowners never win” jazz.  And every time I have opened up my heart, sunshine doesn’t try to come in, but rather those who would prey on the innocent.  Yet why — why did I wake up with this? 

While I’m trying to figure it out, take a look at a very well edited version of No Biz Like Show Biz.  Enjoy….

The Flintstones Pushed Drugs and Tobacco

 Every good show needs a successful sponsor appealing to their audience and giving credibility. 

The Flintstones were no exception.  The first seasons were sponsored in part by Miles Laboratories and Winston Cigarettes.  A cartoon pushing drugs and tobacco?  

What many fail to see is that The Flintstones was not originally intended for younger audiences.  Adults were their aim and along with that came adult products.  Besides, smoking was considered ”cool” in the sixties.  But, it didn’t last long….

In 1962, Winston’s sponsorship was changed to Welch’s Grape Jelly when Wilma became pregnant. Isn’t it just like a baby to change things?

Two Flintstones Winston Commercials

Welch’s Grape Jelly Commercial

Walking and Never Getting Anywhere

If you’ve ever watched The Flintstones closely, you will have noticed the background when they are walking, driving or running — every few seconds you’re seeing the same scene again…and again…and again.  Buildings, trees, grass, signs, traffic lights — the same over and over again.

This doesn’t bother me in the least since it’s a part of  the charm that makes The Flintstones, well…The Flintstones.

It didn’t bother Cartoon Network, either.  Using the song “Circles” by Soul Coughing they created a video.  With added subtitles giving the illusion Fred and Barney are speaking about them always walking around it circles, it makes light of their ‘rotating’ situation.

One of the scenes used is from one of my favorite episodes, “Love Letters on the Rocks.”  Other Hanna –  Barbera characters such as Top Cat, Quick Draw McGraw and Snagglepuss visit Bedrock to get in on the act. *See if you can spot Adam Ant at the end*

 Take a look: