The Hanna-Barbera animated series "The Roman Holidays" originally aired on NBC-TV from September of 1972 until July of 1973. Only 21 episodes were made of this series. During the 1960's and the 1970's Hanna-Barbera Productions(under the supervision of William Hanna and his business associate Joesph Barbera)created a series of half-hour animated situation comedies that took place in all different periods of history. For instance,"The Flintstones"(1960-1966),was set in prehistoric times and was based on Jackie Gleason's The Honeymooners; "The Jetsons"(1962-1963),was set in the future and was based on Robert Young's classic 1950's sitcom Father Knows Best;"Top Cat"(1961-1963),was set in the modern stage of the early 1960's(with animal characters)and that show was based on Phil Silvers's classic 1950's show "Sargeant Bilko" aka "The Phil Silvers Show". The other Hanna-Barbera shows consisted of "These Are The Days"(1974-1975),was based during the turn of the depression-era 1930's;while the syndicated sitcom "Wait Till Your Father Gets Home"(1972-1974),was based on All In The Family and during the 1970's.
In essence,the plots of all these animated series were pretty much the same.but with twists determined by whatever during the era they took place in. Humor was on both levels(the father figure who was the man of the house,complete with his lovely wife,great kids,the faithful family pet and his next door neighbor who may come up with some harebrained scheme that may come up with unexpectedly next to get out of the house and away from the ordinary ball and chain of family life) in which both kids and adults could sit together and enjoy throughly. The animated series "The Roman Holidays",was part of this genre since it was set during the times of ancient Rome around AD 63. This show was basically on the same formula as Hanna-Barbera's The Jetsons since it followed the ongoing adventures of the Holiday family. The characters in this series were the standard for this genre---a working middle class family man with a strong devoted wife,a dictatorial money-grabbing boss,a loyal buddy,intelligent kids,and even an intelligent family pet(in this case,a lion). The characters featured the ongoing adventures of Gus and Laurie Holiday(voiced by Dave Willock and Shirley Mitchell),a middle class family with two intelligent kids, Precocia(voiced by Pamelyn Ferdin of Lassie fame),and Happius(voiced by Stanley Livingston of My Three Sons fame). Gus' boss was money grabbing Mr. Tycoonis(voiced by Hal Smith of The Andy Griffith Show),and the family pet Brutus,the intelligent lion(voiced by Hanna-Barbera great Daws Butler). Since this show was seen only on Saturday Mornings,it has the similarities of both "The Flintstones",and "The Jetsons",especially since it is the same formula used from "The Jetsons" to be brought unto this series. Exact same premise. Nevertheless,it was enjoyable entertainment that was appeal to both children and adults. I can still remember the catchy theme song("When in Rome,you do as the Romans do,you play as the Romans play together") since I haven't heard it in years. It is a crying shame that this classic is never ever seen anymore since it was one of the better Hanna-Barbera shows that came out of the 1970's which showed imagination and relied on good wholesome family values,which these days is thrown out the window. I wish that Boomerrang would bring this show back as part of a marathon from the classic cartoon vaults of Hanna-Barbera Productions,don't you think?
