Stone Age sweethearts make it to the altar in a big Bedrock way

Spencer Tracy . . . Steve Martin . . . Fred Flintstone ? Yup. It’s the modern stone-age family man’s turn to be father of the bride as daughter Pebbles says “I Yabba Dabba Do” to Bamm-Bamm Rubble.

Things get off to a rocky start when Fred gambles away his life’s savings and loses his job. Now he has to find a way to finance the extravagant wedding he’s been bragging about to his friends.

In true Fred fashion, he opts for get-rich-quick schemes and manages to get into lots of hot water and offend everyone. But in the end, Fred saves the day, the wedding and his own skin. As other fathers of the bride, Fred hopes to give Pebbles a wedding she’ll never forget.

The original “Flintstones” series premiered in 1960. While its last episode aired in 1981, Bill Hanna, co-chairman and founder of Hanna-Barbera, points out that the show can still be seen in syndication throughout the world daily.

“I Yabba Dabba Do” is the 14th “Flintstones” television special.

Hanna acknowledges that inspiration for “I Yabba Dabba Do” came from Steve Martin’s recent update of “Father of the Bride.” And it won’t be too long before the arrival of Hanna-Barbera’s own “Father’s Little Dividend.” Even now, animation sequelitis continues as Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm (who was, remember, the orphan boy adopted by Fred’s neighbors the Rubbles) welcome Fred’s first grandchild into their “early-man” world.

Hanna is counting on “I Yabba Dabba Do” attracting those who grew up with the Flintstones. “The charm of all the gadgets, which is what I think appeals to the kids, is all there,” he says. “But it was written with adults in mind, too. It’s very witty. There are jokes in it for everyone.”

“I Yabba Dabba Do!” airs Sunday 7-9 p.m. on ABC. For ages 2 and up.