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??**
Just the name ‘puffenstuff’ made me wonder what my younger brothers were watching. Never sat down to watch it myself. I was 15 by the time that came out, and was working on the farm, or riding mini-bikes or go-carts on saturday mornings.
There was no show that freaked me out more as a kid than H.R. Puf ‘n Stuff.
Jimmy gave me the butterflies.
It was love. *sigh*
I certainly got weird vibes about the boy, wWitchypoo and the dragon fighting over the “flute”
Or maybe I’ve seen too many strange movies since then.
Holly gave me the … well nvm
Pufnstuf, Lidsville, Land of the Lost... all certainly captured my imagination as a 5-year-old. Definitely a lot more interesting than much of the other Saturday morning fare.
I always thought the Sleestaks and the aliens in “Signs” were the same thing.
I had a secret crush on Electrawoman and Dynagirl, while even at that age I was embarrassed at how lame it was.
Hand Rolled PufnStuf.
He’s a friend when times get rough
Can’t do a little cause you can’t do enough...
Had a HUGE crush on Jack Wild & listened/sang to “Oliver” way too many times to count. He looked WAY younger than his actual age and had “je ne sais quoi” (at least IMO)
Somehow, my sister & I coerced friends & other kids in the neighborhood to play “Oliver” & “H.R. PufnStuf” imagination games for hours! We even had a flute!
But yeah, in Retrospect, the show was definitely “weird”
Sadly, Jack died a pretty nasty death, oral cancer. I know he had a bit role in some Robin Hood movie and he looked really rough at the time.
Sleestaks?
ttps://www.tiktok.com/@michoacan805_/video/7293610015422713130
I caught reruns of Puff-n-stuff in college. Witchipoo was actually a pretty funny character for being the show’s villain.
Caroline Ellis was a young English actress who played Joy on The Bugaloos. Cute as a button young lady. An early crush for a littke kid. It was long years later that I learned she appeared in Playboy a few years after the show ended.
Anyways felt these shows were pretty low quality, even by the standards of the 7O’s but, what did I know.
I’m 57, Sleestaks still scare me.
The voice for the flute sounds just like Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo on south park!
Became an alcoholic at an early age. Very sad. Jack Wild had presence as an actor, so unlike today's child "actors".
Watched the Banana Splits and H.R. Puff N Stuff with my kids. Good memories.
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