H.R. Pufnstuf – The Complete Series [DVD]

Product Description Like New All proceeds go toward helping cancer patients. Amazon.com Once upon a time, during the tail end of the psychedelic sixties, a program appeared that captured the imagination of children as much as the tenor of the times. Not that H.R. Pufnstuf, which premiered on NBC in 1969, dealt with heavy topics like the Vietnam War. Instead, this colorful Sid and Marty Krofft creation mixed live action with puppetry and kept things groovy with song, dance, bad puns, trippy sets, and wacky sound effects. Like The Wizard of Oz and “Puff the Magic Dragon,” its charming innocence appealed as much to kids as to the kinds of adults who flocked to Pee-wee’s Playhouse and SpongeBob SquarePants in later years. The story begins when Jimmy (Oliver!’s Jack Wild) is tricked by Witchiepoo (Billie Hayes) into taking a boat ride on a sunny day. Next thing he knows he’s stranded on Living Island, where everything–the houses, the trees–talks. And Witchiepoo is endlessly scheming to steal Freddie, his magical golden flute (or “Fweddie” as Wild pronounces it). Pufnstuf, the island’s mayor, is Jimmy’s Glinda the Good Witch–as a friendly dragon with an aw-shucks accent. Throughout these 17 episodes, Jimmy and Puf are joined by Dr. Blinky, Cling and Clang, and a host of other odd, but benevolent characters. Witchiepoo meanwhile, has Orson Vulture and Seymour Spider on her (dark) side. Standout episodes include “Mechanical Boy,” in which Jimmy “does the robot”–years before the dawn of disco–and “Dinner for Two Please Orson,” in which Blinky’s Time Machine malfunctions and Jimmy is turned into an old man–who Witchiepoo plans to marry! With H.R. Pufnstuf, the Kroffts (Lidsville, The Bugaloos) combined the best qualities of the top shows of its time, like Laugh-In and The Monkees, and created something fresh and new that’s just as relevant–and irreverent–today. –Kathleen C. Fennessy

Features

• Travel to Living Island with Jimmy and Freddie, his talking flute, as they battle the evil Witchiepoo with the help of H.R. Pufnstuf and his colorful collection of friends. Track Listings: 1. The Magic Path 2. The Wheely Bird 3. Show Biz Witch 4. The Mechanical Boy 5. The Stand-In 6. The Golden Key 7. The Birthday Party 8. The Box Kite Kaper 9. You Can t Have Your Cake 10. Horse With