Dink, the Little Dinosaur is an American animated series created by Karen Willson and Chris Weber, produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises. The series originally aired as part of CBS's Saturday morning line-up from 1989 to 1990.
Plot The series followed Dink (a dinosaur) and his four friends as they explore and dwell in the volcanic landscape of prehistory in a place called Green Meadow. Designed to help children navigate the world of friendship and making friends, the stories fostered positive behaviors such as caring about oneself and others, tolerance, ecology, problem-solving and teamwork.
The second season introduced a weekly segment called "Factasaurus" that taught lessons and fun facts, educating children about different dinosaur species.
Characters Name Voice DescriptionDinkR. J. WilliamsKind, brave, smart and has a strong bond with his friends. Dink is a Brontosaurus, similar to Littlefoot from The Land Before Time franchise.AmberAnndi McAfee Amber is a close friend of Dink's. She is like a big-sister figure.ScatFrank WelkerScat tends to be paranoid, but has a humongous appetite and speaks in the third person. Sometimes his appetite gets him in trouble, especially when it involves his favorite food, called honey fruit.ShylerBen Ryan GangerShyler is Dink's shy friend, who has a speech impediment and looks up to Dink and Amber as older siblings.FlapperS. Scott BullockFlapper tends to be a braggart and a jokester, and he speaks with a slight lisp. He constantly tries to land in water, but always fails. Dink calls him Flap.CrustyFrank WelkerCrusty is a turtle who mentors the dinosaur youngsters and tells them stories that often help teach them valuable lessons.Name Voice DescriptionArielJennifer DarlingExceptionally courageous and self-sacrificing, Ariel lives at the Lake of Mists and is viewed by other dinosaurs as an almost supernatural figure.Uncle LongbeakHamilton CampLongbeak is Flapper's uncle, whom he talks about a lot.PearlDebi DerryberryPearl is a female friend of Shyler's.ScratcherDick BealsScratcher is a herbivore by his own choice.RedHal RayleRed is sometimes called Thundermaker. He is actually a spirit who lived in the Cave of Spirits.EarthshakerFrank WelkerShakes the ground when he walks and talks. None too fond of smaller creatures, but willing to return a favor.DippoDana HillDippo is afraid of what other dinosaurs think of his kind. He is good friends with Shyler.Opo Opo is a friend of the gang's who helps Ariel to escape from Tyrannor.Dim Dim is a dimwitted friend of the gang's.Tubble and HubbleTubble: Jim CummingsHubble: Jack AngelTubble and Hubble are an old pair of pathfinders for their herd.SquirtRussi TaylorOnce thought Crusty was his mother.Shortspike Shortspike is a friend of Dink and separated from his parents due to volcano trouble.Cornelius Cornelius was once a rival of Dink's.Trail Blazer Neil RossTrail Blazer used his tail to create Green Meadow and Tarpit Pass (which protects Green Meadow from Hunters like Tyrannor).Patch and Bright Tail Patch and Bright Tail are Trail Blazer's children.Strongfoot Strongfoot was once Trail Blazer's rival.TinyJoey CamenTiny is a friend in need, helped by Dink to get fruit guarded by a bullish Dicraeosaurus.BrighteyesJodi CarlisleBrighteyes is a mother whose eggs the gang helped to protect from Egghunters.ButtercupBillie HayesButtercup is Crusty's childhood turtle friend.BeastMichael BellBeast has a disfigured body structure.Iggy Shyler helps Iggy find his way home.Nobbie Nobbie is a good friend of Shyler's.Daisy Scar once had a crush on her.Brusier Brusier is Daisy's boyfriend.Glowy Shyler wanted to keep Glowy.MelodiKath SoucieGang helps Melodi in saving her mate.ForestCam ClarkeForest once made Dink jealous.StormfootDana HillStormfoot fought Dink in the "Challenge of the Desert" duel.JerryKath SoucieTail gets stuck under a rock but is rescued by Crusty.Mama Triceratops Once thought Scat was her son.Name Voice DescriptionTyrannor A Tyrannosaurus who chases Dink and his friends all over their prehistoric world. He is feared by every known dinosaur.Hunters Various carnivorous dinosaurs that mostly reside in Hunter's Grove.ScavengerFrank WelkerA troublesome flock of Pterodactylus.FleetfootJim CummingsHunts Pterosaurs.Honeyfruit Monster SharptoothAccording to Crusty, he would even scare Tyrannor. He had fought Trail Blazer with the resulting fight creating Green Meadow and Tarpit Pass.Snakenecks Sandtooth Watertooth Shelleater Known to prey on turtles.BolderbunsFrank WelkerWaterhunters Egghunters A trio that targets Brighteyes' eggs.Sharpmouth Slidetooth
Episodes Season 1 (1989)
Season 2 (1990)
Main cast R. J. Williams as Dink Anndi McAfee as Amber Ben Ryan Ganger as Shyler Frank Welker as Scat and Crusty S. Scott Bullock as Flapper
Additional cast Jack Angel as Hubble Richard Beals as Scratcher Michael Bell as Beast Joey Camen as Tiny Hamilton Camp as Uncle Longbeak Jodi Carlisle as Brighteyes Nancy Cartwright as Shortspike Cam Clarke as Forest Townsend Coleman as Shortspike's father Brian Cummings Jim Cummings as Tubble and Fleetfoot Jennifer Darling as Ariel Debi Derryberry as Pearl Ron Feinberg Billie Hayes as Buttercup Whit Hertford Dana Hill as Dippo, Stormfoot Katie Leigh Tress MacNeille Kenneth Mars as Narrator Pat Musick Hal Rayle as Red Neil Ross as Trail Blazer Steve Schatzberg as Mike Kath Soucie as Melodi Russi Taylor Janet Waldo Frank Welker as Earthshaker, Scavenger, Bolderbuns, Tyrannor, Slidetooth
Voice director Ginny McSwain
Home media VHS release Five years after its television broadcast, Dink, the Little Dinosaur was released on VHS by Turner Home Entertainment under the Hanna-Barbera label on September 14, 1994. Its six volumes are Land Of No Return, Shyler's Friend, The Sky Is Falling, Lights Out, Rivals and Phantom Of The Cave. Each Dink videocassette contains over five episodes from the series. Turner also distributed these videos internationally in different countries such as the United Kingdom through First Independent Films, in Australia through Rainbow Products, and in Germany through Fox Video.
DVD release Warner Archive released the complete series on October 10, 2017 in Region 1.
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