(Hanna-Barbera, c. 1968). Original hand-colored brown-line print of a conceptual ‘Flintstone Freeway’ attraction by artist Bruce Bushman, which he created for the unrealized Hanna-Barbera project, Cartoonsville, a massive theme park that was intended to rival Disney Land. The print, 24 x 19, shows ‘Flintstone Freeway’ as an incredible prehistoric-themed ‘driving tour’ ride, where park visitors drive a version of Fred Flintstone’s ‘Flintmobile’ around a residential neighborhood lined with stone houses and creatures like dinosaurs, saber-tooth tigers, and woolly mammoths. Bushman’s signature to the lower right corner is inherent to the original brown-line print. In fine condition, with trimmed edges, some creases, and light edgewear.
Bruce Bushman (1911-1972) was a pivotal figure in the early development of Disneyland and the Walt Disney Company’s theme park legacy. He began his tenure at Disney in 1937, working as a layout artist on Pinocchio and co-art directing the Nutcracker Suite segment of Fantasia, and later collaborated with Harper Goff on the design of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. In 1953, Bushman transitioned to WED Enterprises, where he played a central role in designing Disneyland's original Fantasyland. When Hanna-Barbera began preliminary work on their proposed Cartoonville, they knew Bushman was the right choice to help with overseeing the theme park’s ambitious look and design. With his help, the park aimed to immerse visitors in the vibrant worlds of Hanna-Barbera's iconic characters, including The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Jonny Quest. Despite the detailed planning, Cartoonville was never realized and now exists as a fascinating ‘what could have been’ in theme park history, preserved today through Bushman’s concept art and design sketches.
