'Sigmund' and Other Krofft Shows Resurface on DVD
Witchiepoo (Billie Hayes) was Pufnstuf's over-the-top arch nemesis. Sid and Marty Krofft Pictures hide caption
Sigmund the Sea Monster (left) and his dysfunctional sea monster family. Sid and Marty Krofft Pictures hide caption
Jimmy (center, played by actor Jack Wild), along with deputies Cling and Clang and the Mayor of Living Island on H.R. Pufnstuf. Sid and Marty Krofft Pictures hide caption
Sid and Marty Krofft created some of television's most memorable hits -- and disastrous flops. They were best known in the '70s for psychedelic Saturday morning kids shows. Among them, H.R. Pufnstuf, the story of a boy, a magic flute and a dragon with white boots and a Southern drawl.
The Kroffts also created primetime song and dance programs, including the Donny and Marie Show.
'Pufnstuf' Video
Jimmy introduces his golden talking flute in the show's first episode.
The Kroffts are experiencing somewhat of a resurgence as many of their most famous creations are re-released on DVD.
Sid and Marty Krofft kids' shows were colorful live-action cartoons. Real actors played opposite an array of talking creatures and inanimate objects.
There was Lidsville, a land occupied solely by hats that walk, talk and sing. Sigmund and the Sea Monsters told the story of two boys and their friend -- a pile of seaweed that washed up on the beach. The most famous Krofft kid's show was H.R. Pufnstuf.
The Krofft shows all had two things in common. They were colorful and a little bit weird.
Most of the Krofft characters were larger-than-life puppets. The brothers Krofft came from five generations of puppeteers.
But Sid and Marty went beyond puppets. They also struck gold with variety shows in the mid-70s.
The Kroffts ventured into primetime with Donny and Marie Osmond. Their variety show was a big hit. They scored again with yet another variety show -- this one featuring country music superstar Barbara Mandrell.
In between there were some unfortunate creations, like The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
But the Kroffts have been resilient. Right now, they're developing a Pufnstuf movie. They're also working on a big-screen version of their science fiction series The Land of the Lost.
'H.R. Pufnstuf' Lyrics
The theme song for the show sets up the conflict -- between the boy, Pufnstuf and the witch -- that drives the story.
H.R. Pufnstuf
Who's your friend when things get rough
H.R. Pufnstuf
Can't do a little, 'cause you can't do enough
Once upon a summertime
Just a dream from yesterday
A boy and his magic golden flute
Heard a boat from off the bay
"Come and play with me Jimmy
Come and play with me
And I will take you on a trip
Far across the sea"
But the boat belonged to a kooky old witch
Who had in mind the flute to snitch
From her broom broom in the sky
She watched her plans materialize
She waved her wand
The beautiful boat was gone
The sky grew dark, and the sea grew rough
The boat sailed on and on and on and on...
But Pufnstuf was watching too
And knew exactly what to do
He saw the witch's boat attack
And as the boy was fighting back
He called his Rescue Racer Crew
As often they'd rehearsed
And off to save the boy they flew
But who would get there first
But now the boy had washed ashore
Puff arrived to save the day
Which made the witch so mad and sore
She shook her fist and screamed away
H.R. Pufnstuf
Who's your friend when things get rough
H.R. Pufnstuf
Can't do a little, 'cause you can't do enough
Source: Retrojunk.com