Posted on 11/25/2023 5:52:52 PM PST by mgstarr
Marty Krofft, who with his brother Sid produced memorable kids shows “H.R. Pufnstuf” and “Land of the Lost” — as well as the 2009 feature based on the latter — has died. He was 86.
Krofft died of kidney failure Saturday in Los Angeles, Calif., a family representative told Variety.
Often referred to as the King of Saturday Mornings, Krofft and his brother also produced a number of primetime variety shows, including “Donny and Marie” and “Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters.”
Sid and Marty Krofft began their careers producing children’s television with “H.R. Pufnstuf,” a live-action program about a boy (played by British actor Jack Wild) in a fantastic land with a dragon for a friend (H.R. Pufnstuf, voiced by Lennie Weinrib) and a witch — Witchiepoo, played by Billie Hayes — for an enemy; as conceptualized, the show followed the interactions between human actors; actors in colorful, oversized costumes; and life-size puppets with enormous heads. Related Stories VIP+ ‘Expendables’ Flop Marks String of Strength Tests for Lionsgate Franchise Factory The 25 Best Hallmark Christmas Movies, Ranked
The Kroffts were proudly independent producers of children’s shows that were uniquely stylish and creative. The brothers made the most of their low budgets by repurposing characters for other spinoff series and creating shows that hewed to a similar formula. The exceptionally vivid colors that were a hallmark of their designs led some to wonder whether the Kroffts were influenced by the use of LSD, but Marty Krofft repeatedly denied such speculation.
(Excerpt) Read more at variety.com ...
Did he do a lot of acid in the 60’s?? That’s the feeling i got watching HR Puffenstuff all these years later.
Another piece of my childhood is gone.
RIP Mr Kroft. Thanks for the great Saturday mornings.
L
Definitely some weird children’s programs. But, I remember liking them.
Thank you, sir, for the childhood memories.
They were somewhat warped, but interesting!
Strangely, I remember the shows, somewhat well.
Later, I considered them to be what an acid trip must be like.
A true prophet.
Today the lizards have come forward in time and are running the simulation.
__
Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (2016)
Mutt & Stuff (2015)
Land of the Lost (1991)
D.C. Follies (1987)
Pryor’s Place (1984)
Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters (1980)
Pink Lady and Jeff (1980)
The Krofft Superstar Hour (1978; a.k.a. The Bay City Rollers Show)
Horror Hotel
The Lost Island
The Brady Bunch Hour (1977)
The Krofft Supershow (1976)
Dr. Shrinker (1976)
Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (1976)
Kaptain Kool and the Kongs (1976)
Wonderbug (1976)
Bigfoot and Wildboy (1977)
Magic Mongo (1977)
Donny & Marie (1976; a.k.a. The Osmond Family Show)
The Lost Saucer (1975)
Far Out Space Nuts (1975)
Land of the Lost (1974)
Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973)
Lidsville (1971)
The Bugaloos (1970)
H.R. Pufnstuf (1969)
The Banana Splits (1968; characters created for Hanna-Barbera Productions)
“H.R. Pufnstuf,” a live-action program about a boy (played by British actor Jack Wild)
Interesting fact, Jack Wild was already an Oscar winner when he took this role winning best supporting actor in Oliver as the Artful Dodger.
I grew up in the Sid & Marty era, Pufnstuf, Lidsville, Sigmund & the Sea Monsters, Banana Splits etc
RIP Marty and thanks for the laughs
Sleestaks gave me the willies.
I think I watched every one of those shows up though Barbara Mandrell. :)
I could never quite appreciate The Banana Splits.
“Donny and Marie”
I had a serious crush on Marie Osmond.
Freddy the Flute? No acid involved.
The Sleestaks finally got him.
RIP
Never really dug those shows as a kid.
Saw her on TV recently- way, way to much work on her face
Lidsville was quite trippy.
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