Unforgettable Moments among the hot springs of Truth or Consequences among The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera during Fiesta:
Not many are aware of the fact, but Truth or Consequences, New Mexico was originally called "Hot Springs" and whose brand of hydrotherapy was widely promoted. Yet it was confused with the likes of other communities called "Hot Springs" in Arkansas, Virginia, North Carolina, Montana and even 30 other communities in California as incorporated "Hot Springs" into their name; hence, the desire to restyle itself as "Truth or Consequences" when show creator/host Ralph Edwards came up with the idea of inviting some community to so rename itself to mark the show's ten-year anniversary on air in 1950.
In any event, there was much opportunity for The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera to "take the waters" of Truth or Consequences during their Fiesta weekend presence. And some particularly interesting examples of such encounters follow:
*Perhaps the finest example known could have come from Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy when the former remarked in a bathing session with the father "Gee, Dad, don't these hot-spring waters feel a little wonderful naked?", prompting the father to remark "That's my son who made that endorsement!"
*Many hot-spring resorts have long been known for having rejuvenating effects on the skin, especially where skin diseases like psoriasis, erysipelas, eczema and acne are involved. Not to mention women swearing by spa waters for the beautifying effects upon complexion ... the fact of which was certainly not lost upon many of the Laydeez of Hanna-Barbera, in particular Penelope Pitstop, who found the waters especially beneficial on her facial. Not to mention Velma Dinkley, Daphne Blake, April Stewart, Lori, Pepper and the Teen Angels "themselves" (and lest we forget, not even Captain Caveman could resist those waters' effect on his hairy body, reputedly requiring some exhaustive cleaning of the tub he was relaxing in at least once. Not enough to deter Cavey from remarking "Ugga bugga--waters very cleansing and relaxing! No wonder my hair feels so renewed!").
*The Clue Club's legendary analyst, Dottie, also did some research on the Truth or Consequences mineral waters during Fiesta ... and not just taking the baths, mind you: There was also an analysis taken of the waters, and the chemical and mineral composititon therefor ... and the results came close to the "official" analysis, with the ten leading mineral components given in parts per million, as thus--
Chloride: 1360
Sodium: 751
Bicarbonates: 220
Calcium: 163
Sulfate: 75.1
Potassium: 56
Silicate: 45
Silicon: 21
Magnesium: 15.3
Strontium: 3.82
(The waters have an average temperature, at source, of betweem 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit.)
*Whoever said hot water was a source of inspiration probably didn't stumble upon the Cattanooga Cats, who, during a late-night bathing session at one of the older bathhouses, were thus stimulated into an outright jam session of the highest order which attracted the interest of the late-night patrons at this particular bathhouse which, given its dated look (back to the 1930's, know), had something of a charm to it all its own. Not to be outdone, Scoots' story during the "jam session" with The Banana Splits' guitarists was about the experience that some half-crazy relatives of his "back in the holler" had with some obscure hot springs as were close by, and their actually recovering somewhat. But still, secrets about even the curative proeprties of hot springs are hard to keep....
*Speaking of The Banana Splits, Snorky, at least once, actually blew his trunk into the hot-spring tub and managed to blow out quite the routine ... and Bingo in particular found the waters particularly relaxing as much as "creatively stimulating." Not to be outdone, Drooper discovered just how wonderfully his mange responded to the soaking effects and the mild sulphuric aroma of the bathhouse.
*Now you can just imagine what was one of the first things Huckleberry Hound actually did with his newly-found Clementine after introducing her as part of Fiesta: They took some time out for the hot-spring waters, which Clementine in particular acknowledged were "so wonderfully relaxing," sentiments shared by Huckleberry Hound "himself."
*It's not exactly known how the Truth or Consequences hot-spring waters respond to digestive or nutritional disorders, but those of the Hair Bear Bunch couldn't resist going into extended orgies of Mexican food (Square Bear especially) after a session in the waters. (Especially considering that drinking the waters is also effective as a mild laxative and purgative.) Shaggy Rogers, of Scooby-Doo's crew, also found the waters agreeable as an appetite aid, particularly with a few drops of Angostura Bitters added.
*Not even The King could resist the thermal waters' benefits on skin and mane, even in the company of Sheena and Zelda, his ur-girlfriends. Neither would Snagglepuss, who, as luck would have it, was in an adjoining tub at this particular bathhouse, during which some lively conversation managed to ensue.
*It turned out that The Skatebirds also found the hot-spring baths equally irresistable and beneficial after rehearsing their trick-skating routine ahead of the parade; Knock-Knock in particular couldn't resist the feeling the waters had in the legs and knees.
*Lest we forget: Scrappy-Doo, the one character everybody loves to hate for some reason or another, took some time in "the waters", and found them relaxing "big time."
"--and a good time was had by all in the baths ..."










