"This is Your Lifesaver" is the twenty-fifth episode of the second season and the fifty-third overall episode of the original series, The Flintstones. It aired on March 9, 1962.
Synopsis[]
Fred and Barney rescue a penniless man from jumping from a Bedrock toll bridge. However, by doing so, they unwittingly becoming his friend and guardian.
Plot[]
Fred and Barney are in Fred's car, crossing the New George Washingstone Toll Bridge, when they encounter a hippie-like but debonair, bespectacled man of the loafing profession with a rock strategically tied around his neck. The ingratiating tramp identifies himself as J. Montague Gypsum, asks that Fred apply a flint-lighter to his final cigarette before his pretended planned suicide, and reads a poetic last will and testament, bequeathing his meager property to the needy people of the world.
Fred is disinclined to persuade Gypsum not to throw himself over the side of the bridge- until Gypsum proudly proclaims that in addition to being a former psychiatrist and medical doctor, he is a chef of unusual culinary delights. By extending an invitation to Gypsum to teach Wilma to prepare uncommon repasts, Fred "prevents" Gypsum from drowning himself and is, Gypsum maintains, obligated to "confidence man" Gypsum for Gypsum's continued life- and must accommodate Gypsum indefinitely as a house-guest!
The sundial turns, and Fred's ire mounts as Gypsum borrows Fred's magazines and newspapers (before Fred has had occasion to read them), razor, after-shaving lotion, bathrobe, and slippers; sings in the bathroom shower like "a happy, steamed clam coming out of its shell"; commandeers Wilma's larder and kitchen to cook his finicky meals only for himself; and, because Wilma feels sorry for him and offers that he sleep on both her and Fred's beds when he complains of sacroiliac strain, requires Fred to sleep in a chair.
Eventually, Wilma tires of Gypsum and is in agreement with Fred's wish to be rid of the obligating nuisance. Fred arranges for Gypsum to rescue him from a "mishap" at the rock quarry and thereby "even the score". Gypsum accompanies Barney to the rock quarry to observe his "meal ticket's" labors and diverts a large boulder barreling down a hill from hitting Fred, a rock which Barney has "accidentally" pushed off of the hilltop as per Fred's instructions.
Injured after falling with the boulder into a ravine and completely bandaged, Gypsum has won the respect of Mr. Slate by his deed of saving the life of Slate's valued employee, and Slate hires Gypsum to be rock quarry foreman and Fred's superior!
Characters[]
- Fred Flintstone
- Wilma Flintstone
- Barney Rubble
- Betty Rubble
- Mr. Slate
- Pearl Slaghoople (mentioned)
- Harvey Bauxite (only mentioned)
- J. Montague Gypsum (only appearance)
Locations[]
Bedrock[]
- Flintstone home
- Slate Sand and Gravel Co.
- George Washingstone Bridge (only appearance)
- Sporting Goods and Hunters' Supplies store (only appearance)
- Aquarium (only appearance)
Objects[]
- J. Montague Gypsum's last will (only appearance)
- Weekly Sundial (only appearance)
- Rat poison bottle (only mentioned)
- Badminton racquets (only appearance)
- Upside-down souffle (only mentioned)
- Spear with Telescopic Target (only appearance)
- Double-Barreled Shot Clubs (only appearance)
- Giant Dice (only appearance)
- J. Montague Gypsum's wheelchair (only appearance)
- Sundial Watch
Food[]
- BBQ Brontosaurus on Brochette (mentioned)
- Brontosaurus Stroganoff
- Bronto-Burgers
- Stegosaurus fins
- Jellied Rock Turtle
- Deviled Dodo Dumplings
- Rocky Cola (mentioned)
Animals[]
- Crocosaurus (as a toll coin feeder)
- Brontosaurus (as Brontosaurus Stroganoff and Bronto-Burgers)
- Stegosaurus (as Stegosaurus fins)
- Unnamed bird (as a Badminton Bird)
- Turtlesaurus (as Jellied Rock Turtle)
- Dodo Bird (as Deviled Dodo Dumplings)
- Man-Eating Barracuspid (only appearance)
- Pterodactyl (as a whistle)
Vehicles[]
Cast[]
| Alan Reed | Fred Flintstone |
|---|---|
| Jean Vander Pyl | Wilma Flintstone |
| Mel Blanc | Barney Rubble Bird Whistle |
| Bea Benaderet | Betty Rubble |
| John Stephenson | Mr. Slate |
| Walker Edmiston | J. Montague Gypsum |
Notes/Trivia[]
- The voice Walker Edmiston (1926-2007) does for Montague Gypsum is based on Hans Conried's own trademark voice, in turn based on John Barrymore.
- Fred drives over the George Washingstone Bridge, which it is a spoof of the George Washington Bridge.
- Slate Rock and Gravel Company is known this time as Slate Sand & Gravel Co.
Allusions[]
- The title refers to the 1952-1987 series, This Is Your Life where Ralph Edwards told the life stories of the surprised guests of the famous and the not-so-famous.
- J Montague Gypsum who comes out of the shower says: "There's No Place Like Home." This references the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy Gale originally said this line.
Errors[]
- None known.
| Season 2 of The Flintstones |
|---|
| "The Hit Songwriters" • "Droop-Along Flintstone" • "The Missing Bus" • "Alvin Brickrock Presents" • "Fred Flintstone Woos Again" • "The Rock Quarry Story" • "The Soft Touchables" • "Flintstone of Prinstone" • "The Little White Lie" • "Social Climbers" • "The Beauty Contest" • "The Masquerade Ball" • "The Picnic" • "The House Guest" • "The X-Ray Story" • "The Gambler" • "A Star is Almost Born" • "The Entertainer" • "Wilma's Vanishing Money" • "Feudin' and Fussin'" • "Impractical Joker" • "Operation Barney" • "The Happy Household" • "Fred Strikes Out" • "This is Your Lifesaver" • "Trouble-in-Law" • "The Mailman Cometh" • "The Rock Vegas Story" • "Divided We Sail" • "Kleptomaniac Caper" • "Latin Lover" • "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" |