Billie Hayes was a very dear friend of my husband and I. She was a bright light in this often very dark world. I am always thrilled when she is praised for her work. Thank you for that. We miss you so much, Billie.
That was Billy May's Vince was his under study 📖 I think Vince "the Sham Wow Guy" Is selling himself on the streets around LA instead of Sham wow Don't think the he sells himself as much as the Sham Wow though We don't miss you so much Vince
I love that she lived to such a ripe age. She had a wonderful talent and by all accounts was a beautiful soul. RIP Billy and thank you so much for the memories!
Considering there were only 17 episodes of this show, its influence and cult status far surpasses its output. Kind of amazing. Once you've seen it, you can never unsee it.
As a kid I loved all of this stuff. I just wished the Kroft brothers had fought more to get their shows more seasons. They seemed to put all of this energy and effort into something that would last a short time then move on to the next thing. Thanks for bringing this to modern audience's attention. Looking forward to more from you in the future.
I was one of the kids that made this show a huge hit. I watched every Saturday morning. Sugary cereal and Saturday morning cartoons. Nothing will ever surpass that.
Yep, me too! I had no idea it ran for only one season. What kid back then was going to notice that? Always came on after Looney Tunes and before Mighty Mouse.
"H R Pufnstuf, gets you through when times are ruf." " H R Pufnstuf. you can't do a little and you can't do enuf" I blame this for my decades of weed consumption. Many brownies have been harmed because of that show.
Me and my brother watched this show. Weird that it was only one season. It seemed like a long time to me. Haha. I was born in 1965, my brother in 1968. Maybe we watched reruns.
Oh my goodness! I really loved this show and would have never guessed it was only 17 episodes in total. It felt like much longer than that as a little child. Thank you for this deep dive…
Bugaloos, H.R. Pufnstuf, Sigmund the Sea Monster, Prince Planet, Marine Boy, Speed Racer, Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot, Gigantor ... all featured in my childhood TV watching background in South Australia in the early 70s. I now live in the English village where Jack Wild spent his last days - he's buried in the town's cemetary about 300m from where I'm sitting now.
I was a little boy in Karachi, Pakistan when I first watched PufnStuf Zaps the World, in the Summer of 82 when it was broadcast on PTV and my cousins recorded it off of TV so that I could watch it when I came to visit them. The movie changed my life; I was simply mesmerized that there could be a place as happy, a place as perfect where everything was alive, and everyone sang and danced. It was simply the most perfect place that could exist in my childhood mind, and I thought the world of Jack Wild. Then it all went away as life caught up and I 'forgot', that is until recently when all the memories of Jack Wild and this movie came flooding back. I am sorry I did not find the likes of Jack Wild and Billie Hayes during their living years, if not for anything else than simply to say Thank You to them and give them big hugs. Now I know such a perfect place i.e Living Island does indeed exist, on the other side and one day, I will see these wonderful souls there and have that childhood adventure I always wanted to have with them. Your video touched a place inside my heart I keep hidden from most everyone I know, It is a place of both sorrow and happiness; a place of hope and despair. Thanks for making this video; nice to know this film touched someone as it did me when I was little. It's also absolutely mind blowing that over 53 years after it was made, we are discussing it because it is timeless and it is eternal. To Jack, Billie and Living Island, see you when I get there! *Sends kiss to the sky*.
Gawd , every kid in our generation knew this show , and would talk about the latest episodes at recess. I remember home made costumes of the characters at halloween. Creative things like this gave us the gift of imagination. Today everything is a remake of something else , or 9 or 10 sequels. What a wonderful time to be a kid.
The golden age of children's television. I watched Gumby, Banana Splits, H. R. Pufnstuf and from Hamilton Ontario, The Hilarious House of Frightenstein.
I was getting very concerned about the stolen Freddy the Flute like it just happened yesterday when it dawned on me that I’m a hopeless nerd. I have a signed 8x10 from Billie Hayes exactly like the one you showed, and another one of her on her “vroom broom”. The fact that she wrote more than just her name shows how kind-hearted she was. I also had the joy of meeting Marty at a donut shop in Burbank a few years ago. He was very gracious. I told him I had introduced my daughters to HR Pufnstuf. One of them was with me, so he leaned down and asked her if she liked the show. What a moment. I cried when he died. Thanks for this great trip back in time. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was born in November 1966 and have memories watching this show in the early 70s. As a little kid I loved it. Watching it now, it’s some bizarre shit. Also loved Land of the Lost which did a great job of introducing kids to some advanced physics topics like wormholes and time travel. Loved your video and look forward to more.
I am so glad you did this little piece on HR. When I was a kid while my sister was oogling over Jack Wilde, at least until David Cassidy came along . I was mesmerized by Billy Hayes portrayal of Witchy poo. Though I couldn't put it in words as a kid, I knew this lady was a true master of her art. Her character WitchyPoo was brilliant. Had she been in the Biz 30 years earlier, I have no doubt that with a little tweaking of the character, she would have easily given Margaret Hamilton a run for her money as the Wicked Witch of the West in OZ. But it is obvious that Billy took a great deal of her inspiration from Hamilton's Character. Well anyway , this was fun. Thanks for sharing this one with us Dan.
I had 2 metal lunchboxes, HR Puffinstuff and Honkong Phooey, both filled to the brim with baseball cards as well as full sets of Charley's Angels, Kiss, Star Wars cards. Even card sets like the Revolutionary war!! When I was 14, I sold them both at a garage sale for 20 bucks a piece. A 14 yr old in the 80's with 40 bucks... I thought I was rich! If Elon Musk ever builds a time machine, I know exactly where I'm going in it!!!
A little trivia for you. Billie Hayes also played Weenie the Genie in Lidsville. I remember when i was a kid, Witchiepoo and Puffinstuff made an appearance on Lidsville. It was the first time i knew of a cameo between shows. Lidsville was 1971, and Puffinstuff was 1969.
Regardless of what other people may think of this show, it's one of my favorites from childhood. Thank you, Dan, for making a video about it. I appreciate it!
Being 57, I had a hard time explaining this show to my coworkers who are much younger than me. Once they googled it, they could not believe the cool shows that we had growing up. Granted, I was two when this aired, but i did see it in repeats as a kid in the 70's. Always got a kick out of it along with the Banana Splits, and Lidsville. Crazy stuff!
I hope that younger people like me (im 19) can really appreciate such good classics like this one. Such a good show. Thank you for this video. Wish I could’ve met jack he was so talented.
Hello! Great presentation! H.R. Puffnstuff's southern voice reminded me of Andy Griffith's voice because he played a country sheriff. Witchiepoo was also my favorite! Her laugh was classic!
There's actually Wonderbug, Lost Saucer, Magic Mongo, Land of the Lost, Wild Boy and Big Foot, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, Far Out Space Nuts, the Bugaloos, HR Pufnstuf, Lidsville. I was actually a little kid in the early 1970s, I remember watching them on TV on a tray with wheels.
They got re-run every Saturday morning for years. As 6-10 year olds we probably enjoyed them over and over without realizing after the summer that they were re-runs.
Years ago I worked on the series My Name is Earl. We had an episode that Featured HR Puffinstuff. And I as well as many of the crew were kinda excited to get to work with this iconic character. Well that excitement was squashed immediately when he arrived. The man who was in total control of the suit/character turned out to be a total jerk!… highly demanding and angry. He didn’t want to do any photos with anyone and got angry with the crew for even beginning to ask. He isolated himself away from everyone. And we ended up shooting out his footage and released him for the day as quickly as possible. He was so immediately unpleasant that no one wanted him around. It was sad. And a sad way to stain a throng of adults childhood memories. :(
It's worth mentioning the World of Sid & Marty Croft theme park. That was located in downtown Atlanta, in the Omni hotel and coliseum/arena complex. The park opened May 26, 1976, but closed 6 months later due to poor attendance. I still have the ticket stub from the one time I visited. Entrance was via the world's longest freestanding escalator, rising from the ground level up to the top of the 6-floor park. One of the rides was a crystal carousel whose platform was supposed to float on a layer of air (like an air hockey table). They didn't have that working when the park opened, and promised readmission when it did. I don't think they ever did, though. I also remember a ride where you were inside a pinball bouncing through the machine. The lowest level had another 'adventure' type ride. A few more details are on Wikipedia. I remember that lowest level was untouched for a long time, even after CNN took over the rest of the park's space in 1987 for their studios. The escalator became the entryway for the CNN studio tour.
Saturday mornings were the best when we were kids. A day off from school with nothing but cartoons and kid shows till noon. I loved this show and I couldn't believe it when it didn't come back the next fall. It lived on in syndication for a while. I honestly haven't thought about this show for years. That got me also thinking about the Bugaloos. I had such a crush on Joy. Thanks again for bringing up great memories when life was so easy and fun.
I remember it well! My brothers and I would watch on Saturday mornings…my other fav was Sigmund & The Sea-monsters! When my children were young, a channel played those old ones on Saturday mornings. They really didn’t have a choice, because I insisted they watch them😅, they became fans as well! A whole new generation of children singing, “H.R. Pufnstuf, whose your friend when things gets rough…” ❤
My sister had a crush on Jack Wild , but I loved H R Puffin stuff, because of Billy Hayes , and that remarkable performance as Witchy Poo. Even as a child then I saw how remarkable a character actor she was.
I loved Puffnstuff as a kid. Hell even in high school remembering Witchipoo was a go to. Billy Hayes was just great in the role. My theory about its cancelation? I think the writing staff objected that they simply couldn't keep up with the hallucinogens required to keep the plot lines fresh. But...thats just me....
As a 22 yr old woman im so happy my parents brought me up on older shows as well. Though sometimes i found it hard to connect with other children sometimes, but found easier to connect to the adults around me. I loved H.R PuffnStuff and still do🥰
That is so interesting. I was there, at the HemisFair, where it all started. I was two years old and somehow still to this day retain a few fragments of memories from that experience. Fantastic channel here, thank you.
Billie Hayes who played in one episode of Bewitched as a fairytale witch who want to eat little Tabitha who was actually rescued by her mom Samantha Stephens Elizabeth Montgomery. RIP Witchipoo who died in 2022 or maybe early 2023.
Watched this on tv ,as a young boy thoroughly enjoyed it and all the characters,Jack Wild was absolutely right for his role and Billie Hayes was incredible as Witchiepoo totally making the part her own RIP Jack and Billie Auckland New Zealand 2024
Thank you for telling us about Freddy's fate. He's the 1st Pufnstuf character I saw & he means a lot to all of us. Rest easy, Freddy. 🥰 Your time is over now, Hero. You will always live in our hearts.
Thanks for a cool video. I've heard one of the main problems with Pufnstuf was that the Kroffts were new to television and had made a few pricey mistakes while filming, like shooting the series on film instead of video tape which cost significantly more. Marty said in interviews that they were barely breaking even on each episode. That may have been a factor, but the reality was that most of the Krofft series were 1 season with the exception of Sigmund and Land of The Lost. Still all of those shows were trippy and a great deal of fun. I would have loved to have gone to that Krofft theme park for the brief time it was open. I look forward to seeing more of your videos.
I had a plastic Freddy Flute as well! And the cardboard record. I was totally in love with Jack Wild and collected any Tiger Best article or photo I could get my hands on. Thanks for this great video! 😊
It was an amazing time to be a kid back then - it looks so hooky now, but these shows will always be treasured and remembered as a slice in time! - I always thought that they were on something when they did these lol I mean, it was the early 70's after all!
The Krofft Brothers had a heyday in 1968-1979. Most of the series they created ran for only one season of 17 episodes, and they usually made one show per year. They left us a decade of TV gems.
having been born in early `60, i caught all the great sid and marty krofft shows, and all the great cartoons as well! couldnt wait for saturday mornings!
H. R. Puff n stuff was really cool, my dad lived in du Illinois and knew Billie Hayes. He said she was such a sweet person. I watched this show and all the other Sid and Marty Croft shows. Something about the low budget and exaggerated acting, just good fun
I was ten years old at the time, had both the lunchbox and ordered the flute ( as I remember it took about a month and half until delivery ). An amusement park called Six Flags had a person in a Pufnstuf costume mingling among the crowd. That must have been a sweaty job!
@@PurpleRhymesWithOrange 😂 Exactly, and I bugged our neighborhood mailman for a couple of weeks when I knew it was getting near delivery time. In those days, we didn’t have any way of knowing, no daily email updates. In a way it was more exciting, you never knew when that package would show up!
The Kroft vs. Mc Donald's lawsuit happened because the Ad agency that Mc Donald's hired originally contacted the Kroft brothers about collaborating with them on a "Mc Donaldland" themed world based off of the H.R. Puffnstuff world and characters. They did several calls to plan it out, but then the advertising firm falsely told the Kroft bros. that the campaign had been cancelled. The Ad agency then proceeded to hire former Kroft employees who worked on Puffnstuff to create the McDonaldland world and even hired one of the voice actors from the show to voice several of the Mc Donaldland characters (voice actor not known). When the Kroft Bros. saw the ads on TV, they sued. Pretty messed up of the Ad agency and most likely an attempt to spend less on the campaign by excluding the Kroft Bros.
In 1968, I was 13 years old and lived 120 miles South of San Antonio. I was blessed with 14 excursions to Hemisfair. It was just what you did if you could afford it. For me, each visit was just as magical as the last. Despite obnoxiously long lines, I saw H. R. Pufnstuf every time. I am 70 now, but if I remember right, you were given a 6oz cup of cold Coke free as you filed out into the pervasive San Antonio heat, which of course everyone was very familiar with. In fact, in those days “a Coke” was the euphemism for any soda. I think H.R. Pufnstuf was my most favorite of all the attractions… and there were many that were quite brilliant. Besides Pufnstuf, I remember the Czechoslovakian presentation, an amazing combination of film and live action where the characters in the film just stepped through the screen and the show continued on the stage right in front of you! Hemisfair evokes some of my best memories, even if we were all dressed up in Sundays clothes with our little white gloves. (And I have the home movies to prove it!)
Very cool! What awesome memories. Thanks for sharing that. My family never took me anywhere like that except one time they DID dress me up like Dorothy when I was probably four to take me to The Wizard of Oz Land in NC mountains. So the witch and trees chased me and I wasn't happy at all....and I'm glad there Isn't film to prove that.
Dear JB-js. Thank you so much for your sweet reply. I am so sorry that your one excursion to the land of Oz was such a negative one, but at least you remember it. I also remember the first time I saw The Wizard of Oz on TV. I was a little girl at a birthday party and of course it was in B&W, but I remember being fascinated by it! When my parents came to get me they had to drag me away! (I think it was those darned winged monkeys that had me.) As for Hemisfair, I had no idea anyone would be interested in my story, so you have really tickled me! I think my memories of it are so well ingrained because I did get to go so many times, but how often is there a Worlds Fair in your backyard? And it ran for two years. I can’t go to Downtown SA without remembering all those sights, sounds, smells and tastes! Again, thank you!
@@cynsalm2288 people have wonderful stories to tell! I'm always fascinated with people's trips, vacations, road side adventures. Oh I hated the Oz trip so much I fought against wearing dresses after that because I had been so traumatized and associated it to how they dressed me like Dorothy. We had a place called Hardee World here in the early 70s. It was a Hardee's (Carl's) restaurant with a gift shop and a whole jungle inside. You could walk on wooden bridges way up high in the foliage and look at safari animals in the brush etc. Wild animal noises played along with drum beats and weird music. It was weird and all the kids loved it. A big roadside attraction my mother took me to enjoy a lot. Things like that don't exist anymore around here. I have an old view master and hundreds of slides and especially try to collect Worlds Fair ones and roadside attractions.
Hi Dan! I really enjoyed HR puffnstuff as a kid. Cool memories, nice historical story behind the show. You really do your homework to make it interesting to watch, thanks.👏👏👏🎥
It's somewhat terrifying that when I saw the titles of some of the songs on the record cover I remembered how they went and even some of the lyrics. "Mechanical Boy", "Oranges, Smoranges" and "Pronouns" were the ones I remember most, although I also recognized "When We Woke Up This Morning" from the movie, but not by the title; I had to see the lyrics. Such a fun show! Thanks for this video, Dan.
Thank you for mentioning Jack's troubled life and untimely death. He was such an icon to us at those tender ages, showing us that we were of an age that we COULD survive without our parents' constant protection and that we might be able to beat our own path one day.
Wow, I remember H&R Puff&Stuff. So long ago. I really miss the 70's and being a little kid. I was only 8 years old but remember an 8 year old kid was outside ALL day back then and DEFINITELY NOT like an 8 year old kid TODAY! Ha! And Freddie the flute, I always wish I had one like THAT who talked.
yeah, grew up in Melbourne too; but for the life of me I couldn't tell you if it was broadcast saturday mornings on 7, 9, or 10 [I think may still have been "0" at the time?]
One of my favourites! Thanks Dan. What is interesting to note is that Billie Hayes also appeared on "Bewitched" in 1971. She played the Gingerbread-house Witch, and was essentially the same character with less make-up. How Cool is That!?
@@MoviesMusicMonsters as other people have mentioned, Mr. Epstein sadly passed in 1967,so he couldn't have been involved in a screening of the show for the Beatles
I had a Freddy the flute from the cereal box. It was my most prized possession for several years. Somewhere along the way my mom got rid of him and I think of him every so often and wish I still had him.
I still have my Freddy from the cereal offer. I think it was Post Honey Comb, my favorite @ the time. Couldn't wait for the day when the postman would deliver my "magical flute"! That was back in 1970. I also couldn't resist spray painting my flute a brilliant shiny gold color to look more like our little friend on "Pufnstuf". The value has probably gone down on this collectible, since I made that error in spraying it, but oh well. Sorry your mom got rid of your golden pal. Some things from our childhood we love and cherish all our lives, even if they are but a memory.
H.R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Lost were by far my 2 favorite shows as a kid. One thing that all of those Sid and Marty Kroft shows had in common was that nobody made it home. Jimmy didn't in Pufnstuf, The Marshalls didn't in Land of the Lost, Mark didn't in Lidsville. The list goes on. Even as a young kid it irritated me that nobody got home safe. You could argue that the Marshals did in the Circle episode of Land of the Lost, but since they were there for 2 more seasons, I vote no.
I was 5 yrs old when our family went to the World Fair in Texas in 1968 & i fell in love with H.R. Puff & Stuff (either before or after the Banana Splits). I got the 45 rpm record of H.R & also the ' Splits & WORE THEM OUT. Also, i got everything a kid could order or get with a box of cereal but we moved & it's all long gone. The flute WAS really cool.
At 7 yrs old I watched and loved HRPUFNSTUF I believe it was a prelude to the Power Rangers characters that my niece used to watch in the 90s. After hearing this on UA-cam, I can now connect to the two.
I remember as a kid watching this and saying to myself, that lake at the beginning looks familiar. Turns out it was Big Beat Lake which we would visit regularly.
When I saw the pic of the origibal Freddy Flute I had a flashback- wasn't there an episode where Freddy was evil and looked like that? He got cursed or something maybe? IDK I just thought I had seen that evil version of Freddy Flute somewhere but I used to "Puff and Stuff" a lot myself back in the day.
Born in 65 and I absolutely loved this show, possibly the most imaginative kids show ever. ❤ I really think it deserved more seasons. I think I really liked that his name was the same as mine. Lol I always wanted that flute.
You and I are right in the same age range. As a kid I thought this show was not only interesting but creatively fascinating. I still love it :-) thanks for the support, Dan
Billie Hayes I recognized her in an episode of Bewitched when Tabitha went into the storybook of Hansel &Gretal Billie was the witch in the ginger bread house in that episode she was a great actress
Take a look back: The absolute best episode had Mama Cass Elliott dressed as a witch and singing " Different ". She represented those of disenfranchised kids: The poor, the small, the less intelligent, the handicapped, and anyone else's who was different. God Bless you, Mama Cass and HR Pufnstuff!
Hey Dan! I actually have one of the REAL background resin Freddys! Given to me by one of the prop guys who was friends with my uncle who was a rigger on that show. Never did bother to go through the process of it being all authenticated, certified, whatever, because I will NEVER sell it. As a matter of fact, it will be buried with me for reasons nobody cares to hear.
Loved Sid and Mary Kroft Saturday mornings, I even had a Sigmund and the Sea Monsters lunch box (it was metal) good memories, but HR Puffinstuff was my favorite 😊
Wow - never would have guessed HR was only one season. I loved it so much. I still do the mechanical boy dance and my kids thought it was something I made up until I showed them the episode.
The Mayor of Living Island still lives over on our channel Dan! Swing by on April 20th for a big Sid & Marty Krofft Streamapalooza with all your fave shows of ours, including H.R. Pufnstuf! 🖤💛💙💜💚🧡
Billie Hayes was a very dear friend of my husband and I. She was a bright light in this often very dark world. I am always thrilled when she is praised for her work. Thank you for that. We miss you so much, Billie.
Didn't she sell the sham wow?
That was Billy May's
Vince was his under study 📖
I think Vince "the Sham Wow Guy" Is selling himself on the streets around LA instead of Sham wow
Don't think the he sells himself as much as the Sham Wow though
We don't miss you so much
Vince
How fortunate for you, and I mean that in a 👍 way.out of curiosity,did she give your ears the pleasure to hear her famous cackle.
I love that she lived to such a ripe age. She had a wonderful talent and by all accounts was a beautiful soul. RIP Billy and thank you so much for the memories!
@@Ronald-ih9fm In real life she was a quiet, funny and classy lady. No cackles but lots of laughter.
Considering there were only 17 episodes of this show, its influence and cult status far surpasses its output. Kind of amazing. Once you've seen it, you can never unsee it.
I am 59 years old and as a child my sisters and I would watch this every Saturday morning 🌄. Seems like yesterday 😢
Ditto!!
As a kid I loved all of this stuff. I just wished the Kroft brothers had fought more to get their shows more seasons. They seemed to put all of this energy and effort into something that would last a short time then move on to the next thing. Thanks for bringing this to modern audience's attention. Looking forward to more from you in the future.
Boy did this bring back memories of my childhood years!! My sister and I LOVED this show!
For only 17 episodes it's amazing how much an impression it made on a generation
Same legacy as “The Prisoner” (1968) starring Patrick McGoohan.
I was one of the kids that made this show a huge hit. I watched every Saturday morning. Sugary cereal and Saturday morning cartoons. Nothing will ever surpass that.
Yep, me too! I had no idea it ran for only one season. What kid back then was going to notice that? Always came on after Looney Tunes and before Mighty Mouse.
"H R Pufnstuf, gets you through when times are ruf."
" H R Pufnstuf. you can't do a little and you can't do enuf"
I blame this for my decades of weed consumption. Many brownies have been harmed because of that show.
LOL!
Me and my brother watched this show. Weird that it was only one season. It seemed like a long time to me. Haha. I was born in 1965, my brother in 1968. Maybe we watched reruns.
Oh my goodness! I really loved this show and would have never guessed it was only 17 episodes in total. It felt like much longer than that as a little child. Thank you for this deep dive…
Bugaloos, H.R. Pufnstuf, Sigmund the Sea Monster, Prince Planet, Marine Boy, Speed Racer, Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot, Gigantor ... all featured in my childhood TV watching background in South Australia in the early 70s.
I now live in the English village where Jack Wild spent his last days - he's buried in the town's cemetary about 300m from where I'm sitting now.
HR Pufnstuf has always had a dear place in my heart! All of their shows were so wonderful!! It's a shame television isn't that good now days
I was a little boy in Karachi, Pakistan when I first watched PufnStuf Zaps the World, in the Summer of 82 when it was broadcast on PTV and my cousins recorded it off of TV so that I could watch it when I came to visit them. The movie changed my life; I was simply mesmerized that there could be a place as happy, a place as perfect where everything was alive, and everyone sang and danced. It was simply the most perfect place that could exist in my childhood mind, and I thought the world of Jack Wild. Then it all went away as life caught up and I 'forgot', that is until recently when all the memories of Jack Wild and this movie came flooding back. I am sorry I did not find the likes of Jack Wild and Billie Hayes during their living years, if not for anything else than simply to say Thank You to them and give them big hugs. Now I know such a perfect place i.e Living Island does indeed exist, on the other side and one day, I will see these wonderful souls there and have that childhood adventure I always wanted to have with them. Your video touched a place inside my heart I keep hidden from most everyone I know, It is a place of both sorrow and happiness; a place of hope and despair. Thanks for making this video; nice to know this film touched someone as it did me when I was little. It's also absolutely mind blowing that over 53 years after it was made, we are discussing it because it is timeless and it is eternal. To Jack, Billie and Living Island, see you when I get there! *Sends kiss to the sky*.
Gawd , every kid in our generation knew this show , and would talk about the latest episodes at recess. I remember home made costumes of the characters at halloween. Creative things like this gave us the gift of imagination. Today everything is a remake of something else , or 9 or 10 sequels. What a wonderful time to be a kid.
0:52 This surprises me too. So many shows that I would swear were on for 5 seasons only had one season, sometimes two.
These were my favorite shows at the time. Talk about a couple of very creative, creative producers!
I went to the HR Pufnstuf and Brady Kids performance! I totally forgot about it. You brought some needed joy into my life. Thank you!!
The golden age of children's television. I watched Gumby, Banana Splits, H. R. Pufnstuf and from Hamilton Ontario, The Hilarious House of Frightenstein.
Yes, days long gone and never to come again :-) but we still have the memories
I loved this show as a kid, I am shocked it was only 1 season
I was getting very concerned about the stolen Freddy the Flute like it just happened yesterday when it dawned on me that I’m a hopeless nerd. I have a signed 8x10 from Billie Hayes exactly like the one you showed, and another one of her on her “vroom broom”. The fact that she wrote more than just her name shows how kind-hearted she was. I also had the joy of meeting Marty at a donut shop in Burbank a few years ago. He was very gracious. I told him I had introduced my daughters to HR Pufnstuf. One of them was with me, so he leaned down and asked her if she liked the show. What a moment. I cried when he died. Thanks for this great trip back in time. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Deeply touching reply!
I was born in November 1966 and have memories watching this show in the early 70s. As a little kid I loved it. Watching it now, it’s some bizarre shit. Also loved Land of the Lost which did a great job of introducing kids to some advanced physics topics like wormholes and time travel. Loved your video and look forward to more.
"Oh no Jimmy! We can't let Witchy Poo get her hands on your magic flute!"
😂
I am so glad you did this little piece on HR. When I was a kid while my sister was oogling over Jack Wilde, at least until David Cassidy came along . I was mesmerized by Billy Hayes portrayal of Witchy poo. Though I couldn't put it in words as a kid, I knew this lady was a true master of her art. Her character WitchyPoo was brilliant. Had she been in the Biz 30 years earlier, I have no doubt that with a little tweaking of the character, she would have easily given Margaret Hamilton a run for her money as the Wicked Witch of the West in OZ. But it is obvious that Billy took a great deal of her inspiration from Hamilton's Character. Well anyway , this was fun. Thanks for sharing this one with us Dan.
They were actually together on a Paul Lynd Halloween Special that you can see on UA-cam.
I had 2 metal lunchboxes, HR Puffinstuff and Honkong Phooey, both filled to the brim with baseball cards as well as full sets of Charley's Angels, Kiss, Star Wars cards. Even card sets like the Revolutionary war!! When I was 14, I sold them both at a garage sale for 20 bucks a piece. A 14 yr old in the 80's with 40 bucks... I thought I was rich! If Elon Musk ever builds a time machine, I know exactly where I'm going in it!!!
I loved waking up Saturday mornings to see Pufnstuf. Noticed it because of Jack Wilde from the movie Oliver!
A little trivia for you. Billie Hayes also played Weenie the Genie in Lidsville. I remember when i was a kid, Witchiepoo and Puffinstuff made an appearance on Lidsville. It was the first time i knew of a cameo between shows. Lidsville was 1971, and Puffinstuff was 1969.
Loved this as a kid on the BBC along with Banana Splits.
Regardless of what other people may think of this show, it's one of my favorites from childhood. Thank you, Dan, for making a video about it. I appreciate it!
Being 57, I had a hard time explaining this show to my coworkers who are much younger than me. Once they googled it, they could not believe the cool shows that we had growing up. Granted, I was two when this aired, but i did see it in repeats as a kid in the 70's. Always got a kick out of it along with the Banana Splits, and Lidsville. Crazy stuff!
I hope that younger people like me (im 19) can really appreciate such good classics like this one. Such a good show. Thank you for this video. Wish I could’ve met jack he was so talented.
Great topic. Born in 66 and I remember those great kids and sci-fi shows. Keep it up.
Hello! Great presentation! H.R. Puffnstuff's southern voice reminded me of Andy Griffith's voice because he played a country sheriff. Witchiepoo was also my favorite! Her laugh was classic!
I watched it as a kid, Saturday morning cartoons were the best!
There's actually Wonderbug, Lost Saucer, Magic Mongo, Land of the Lost, Wild Boy and Big Foot, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, Far Out Space Nuts, the Bugaloos, HR Pufnstuf, Lidsville. I was actually a little kid in the early 1970s, I remember watching them on TV on a tray with wheels.
Born in 1960 ..... my older brother teased me to no end, for watching & liking this show ..... looking back, I always saw this show philosophical
Well, that's what older brothers are for :-)
HR Pufnstuff was my FAVORITE show as a kid along with, of course, Banana Splits. Wow it was only on one season? Seemed longer.
Lots of reruns in syndication :-)
Really? I remember this so well...but I don't remember it being only 17 episodes. Seemed much longer when I was a kid.
They got re-run every Saturday morning for years. As 6-10 year olds we probably enjoyed them over and over without realizing after the summer that they were re-runs.
In the first 49 seconds, you had me subscribe. You hit so many of my old memories, and things I have wondered about over the years.
Wow... I remember this show as a kid. We really did grow up with the best cartoons.
Years ago I worked on the series My Name is Earl. We had an episode that Featured HR Puffinstuff. And I as well as many of the crew were kinda excited to get to work with this iconic character. Well that excitement was squashed immediately when he arrived. The man who was in total control of the suit/character turned out to be a total jerk!… highly demanding and angry. He didn’t want to do any photos with anyone and got angry with the crew for even beginning to ask. He isolated himself away from everyone. And we ended up shooting out his footage and released him for the day as quickly as possible. He was so immediately unpleasant that no one wanted him around. It was sad. And a sad way to stain a throng of adults childhood memories. :(
Oh jeez, I thought HR Pufnstuf was just a "recovered memory"... Gotta start rethinking "things"... :))
Thanks, Mr. Monroe!
It's worth mentioning the World of Sid & Marty Croft theme park. That was located in downtown Atlanta, in the Omni hotel and coliseum/arena complex. The park opened May 26, 1976, but closed 6 months later due to poor attendance. I still have the ticket stub from the one time I visited.
Entrance was via the world's longest freestanding escalator, rising from the ground level up to the top of the 6-floor park. One of the rides was a crystal carousel whose platform was supposed to float on a layer of air (like an air hockey table). They didn't have that working when the park opened, and promised readmission when it did. I don't think they ever did, though. I also remember a ride where you were inside a pinball bouncing through the machine. The lowest level had another 'adventure' type ride. A few more details are on Wikipedia.
I remember that lowest level was untouched for a long time, even after CNN took over the rest of the park's space in 1987 for their studios. The escalator became the entryway for the CNN studio tour.
I definitely should have added that, but I just found out about it LOL thanks for the info, Dan
I just barely remembered the World of Kroft, until you mentioned it. I remember wanting to go so badly! Thanks!
Saturday mornings were the best when we were kids. A day off from school with nothing but cartoons and kid shows till noon. I loved this show and I couldn't believe it when it didn't come back the next fall. It lived on in syndication for a while. I honestly haven't thought about this show for years. That got me also thinking about the Bugaloos. I had such a crush on Joy. Thanks again for bringing up great memories when life was so easy and fun.
My mom loved hr puff n stuff. She made me watch it all the time growing up and i loved it too haha
I remember it well! My brothers and I would watch on Saturday mornings…my other fav was Sigmund & The Sea-monsters! When my children were young, a channel played those old ones on Saturday mornings. They really didn’t have a choice, because I insisted they watch them😅, they became fans as well! A whole new generation of children singing, “H.R. Pufnstuf, whose your friend when things gets rough…” ❤
My sister had a crush on Jack Wild , but I loved H R Puffin stuff, because of Billy Hayes , and that remarkable performance as Witchy Poo. Even as a child then I saw how remarkable a character actor she was.
I was in love with Jack too!
I loved Puffnstuff as a kid. Hell even in high school remembering Witchipoo was a go to. Billy Hayes was just great in the role. My theory about its cancelation? I think the writing staff objected that they simply couldn't keep up with the hallucinogens required to keep the plot lines fresh. But...thats just me....
Thanx for all the info.! I hadn't realized the show was only on for 1 year. Saturday morning's were the BEST, in the late 60's and early 70's.
As a 22 yr old woman im so happy my parents brought me up on older shows as well. Though sometimes i found it hard to connect with other children sometimes, but found easier to connect to the adults around me. I loved H.R PuffnStuff and still do🥰
That is so interesting. I was there, at the HemisFair, where it all started. I was two years old and somehow still to this day retain a few fragments of memories from that experience. Fantastic channel here, thank you.
Billie Hayes who played in one episode of Bewitched as a fairytale witch who want to eat little Tabitha who was actually rescued by her mom Samantha Stephens Elizabeth Montgomery. RIP Witchipoo who died in 2022 or maybe early 2023.
I was in Logan's Run as an extra
When I was young, I used to sing on the radio. Then my mother told me not to stand on it anymore.🤪
I walked into Carousel. But was too young.
Miss that show!!!!
Watched this on tv ,as a young boy thoroughly enjoyed it and all the characters,Jack Wild was absolutely right for his role and Billie Hayes was incredible as Witchiepoo totally making the part her own RIP Jack and Billie Auckland New Zealand 2024
I am 61 and do remember being 5 years old and running home to watch this show on our black and white Zenith TV!
Thank you for telling us about Freddy's fate. He's the 1st Pufnstuf character I saw & he means a lot to all of us. Rest easy, Freddy. 🥰 Your time is over now, Hero. You will always live in our hearts.
Who's your friend when things get rough? Can't do a little cuz you can't do enough. Great episode, Dan. Keep 'em coming, bro. Cheers!
Thanks for a cool video. I've heard one of the main problems with Pufnstuf was that the Kroffts were new to television and had made a few pricey mistakes while filming, like shooting the series on film instead of video tape which cost significantly more. Marty said in interviews that they were barely breaking even on each episode. That may have been a factor, but the reality was that most of the Krofft series were 1 season with the exception of Sigmund and Land of The Lost. Still all of those shows were trippy and a great deal of fun. I would have loved to have gone to that Krofft theme park for the brief time it was open. I look forward to seeing more of your videos.
I had a plastic Freddy Flute as well! And the cardboard record. I was totally in love with Jack Wild and collected any Tiger Best article or photo I could get my hands on. Thanks for this great video! 😊
It was an amazing time to be a kid back then - it looks so hooky now, but these shows will always be treasured and remembered as a slice in time! - I always thought that they were on something when they did these lol I mean, it was the early 70's after all!
H.R.Pufnstuf was an awesome show & I watched it as a kid & was sad when it was over !
It was definitely a classic and a lot of fun to watch as a kid :-)
The Krofft Brothers had a heyday in 1968-1979. Most of the series they created ran for only one season of 17 episodes, and they usually made one show per year. They left us a decade of TV gems.
having been born in early `60, i caught all the great sid and marty krofft shows, and all the great cartoons as well! couldnt wait for saturday mornings!
You transported me back 50 years. Loved the Banana Splits too. Great memories. Thank you!
Hey Dan, many thanks for the great vid, once again you provide valuable info for magic moments of Television! All the best mate!
Let's not forget THE BANANA SPLITS ! 😊
Love the Banana Splits!
Bingo, Fleegle, Drooper, and Snorkey!
@@Muffy-b1g I still have the intro song in my head to this day ! LOL ! Tra La La...La La La La !!! One Banana 2 Banana 3 Banana 4 !!!!!
UH OHHH CHONGO!!!
UH OHHH CHONGO!!!
H. R. Puff n stuff was really cool, my dad lived in du Illinois and knew Billie Hayes. He said she was such a sweet person. I watched this show and all the other Sid and Marty Croft shows. Something about the low budget and exaggerated acting, just good fun
I loved this show so much and was heart broke when it ended.
I was ten years old at the time, had both the lunchbox and ordered the flute ( as I remember it took about a month and half until delivery ).
An amusement park called Six Flags had a person in a Pufnstuf costume mingling among the crowd.
That must have been a sweaty job!
Bet that flute would bring big bucks today!
All those cereal box offers always said "please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery"
@@PurpleRhymesWithOrange 😂
Exactly, and I bugged our neighborhood mailman for a couple of weeks when I knew it was getting near delivery time.
In those days, we didn’t have any way of knowing, no daily email updates.
In a way it was more exciting, you never knew when that package would show up!
The Kroft vs. Mc Donald's lawsuit happened because the Ad agency that Mc Donald's hired originally contacted the Kroft brothers about collaborating with them on a "Mc Donaldland" themed world based off of the H.R. Puffnstuff world and characters. They did several calls to plan it out, but then the advertising firm falsely told the Kroft bros. that the campaign had been cancelled. The Ad agency then proceeded to hire former Kroft employees who worked on Puffnstuff to create the McDonaldland world and even hired one of the voice actors from the show to voice several of the Mc Donaldland characters (voice actor not known). When the Kroft Bros. saw the ads on TV, they sued. Pretty messed up of the Ad agency and most likely an attempt to spend less on the campaign by excluding the Kroft Bros.
good trivia bro
Thank you for this great reply! I don’t think that there are too many people who know that story. But, I can’t stand McDonalds anyway.
Love Billie Hayes! Loved this show. Brings so many great feelings and memories. ❤
In 1968, I was 13 years old and lived 120 miles South of San Antonio. I was blessed with 14 excursions to Hemisfair. It was just what you did if you could afford it. For me, each visit was just as magical as the last. Despite obnoxiously long lines, I saw H. R. Pufnstuf every time. I am 70 now, but if I remember right, you were given a 6oz cup of cold Coke free as you filed out into the pervasive San Antonio heat, which of course everyone was very familiar with. In fact, in those days “a Coke” was the euphemism for any soda. I think H.R. Pufnstuf was my most favorite of all the attractions… and there were many that were quite brilliant. Besides Pufnstuf, I remember the Czechoslovakian presentation, an amazing combination of film and live action where the characters in the film just stepped through the screen and the show continued on the stage right in front of you! Hemisfair evokes some of my best memories, even if we were all dressed up in Sundays clothes with our little white gloves. (And I have the home movies to prove it!)
Very cool! What awesome memories. Thanks for sharing that. My family never took me anywhere like that except one time they DID dress me up like Dorothy when I was probably four to take me to The Wizard of Oz Land in NC mountains. So the witch and trees chased me and I wasn't happy at all....and I'm glad there Isn't film to prove that.
Dear JB-js. Thank you so much for your sweet reply. I am so sorry that your one excursion to the land of Oz was such a negative one, but at least you remember it. I also remember the first time I saw The Wizard of Oz on TV. I was a little girl at a birthday party and of course it was in B&W, but I remember being fascinated by it! When my parents came to get me they had to drag me away! (I think it was those darned winged monkeys that had me.) As for Hemisfair, I had no idea anyone would be interested in my story, so you have really tickled me! I think my memories of it are so well ingrained because I did get to go so many times, but how often is there a Worlds Fair in your backyard? And it ran for two years. I can’t go to Downtown SA without remembering all those sights, sounds, smells and tastes! Again, thank you!
Oh, and PS… it’s something to remember besides the Alamo! 🇨🇱
@@cynsalm2288 people have wonderful stories to tell! I'm always fascinated with people's trips, vacations, road side adventures. Oh I hated the Oz trip so much I fought against wearing dresses after that because I had been so traumatized and associated it to how they dressed me like Dorothy. We had a place called Hardee World here in the early 70s. It was a Hardee's (Carl's) restaurant with a gift shop and a whole jungle inside. You could walk on wooden bridges way up high in the foliage and look at safari animals in the brush etc. Wild animal noises played along with drum beats and weird music. It was weird and all the kids loved it. A big roadside attraction my mother took me to enjoy a lot. Things like that don't exist anymore around here. I have an old view master and hundreds of slides and especially try to collect Worlds Fair ones and roadside attractions.
I was taken to Hemisfair a few times,but I was 4 so I only remember a little bit - but it was fun
Hi Dan! I really enjoyed HR puffnstuff as a kid. Cool memories, nice historical story behind the show. You really do your homework to make it interesting to watch, thanks.👏👏👏🎥
Love these topics from back in my childhood days! Works love to see Land of the Lost, Electra Woman & Dyna Girl, and others! Great work!!
It's somewhat terrifying that when I saw the titles of some of the songs on the record cover I remembered how they went and even some of the lyrics. "Mechanical Boy", "Oranges, Smoranges" and "Pronouns" were the ones I remember most, although I also recognized "When We Woke Up This Morning" from the movie, but not by the title; I had to see the lyrics. Such a fun show! Thanks for this video, Dan.
Thank you for mentioning Jack's troubled life and untimely death. He was such an icon to us at those tender ages, showing us that we were of an age that we COULD survive without our parents' constant protection and that we might be able to beat our own path one day.
Wow, I remember H&R Puff&Stuff. So long ago. I really miss the 70's and being a little kid. I was only 8 years old but remember an 8 year old kid was outside ALL day back then and DEFINITELY NOT like an 8 year old kid TODAY! Ha!
And Freddie the flute, I always wish I had one like THAT who talked.
As a kid, I became a member of The Shows' Witchiepoo Club! Ha, ha; what fun! Blessings
I absolutely love HR Pufnstuf..and watched it religiously.. loved all the Kroft brother's shows.... Melbourne Australia 😊
yeah, grew up in Melbourne too; but for the life of me I couldn't tell you if it was broadcast saturday mornings on 7, 9, or 10 [I think may still have been "0" at the time?]
One of my favourites! Thanks Dan. What is interesting to note is that Billie Hayes also appeared on "Bewitched" in 1971. She played the Gingerbread-house Witch, and was essentially the same character with less make-up. How Cool is That!?
Appreciated that deep dive into one of the most-loved shows of my childhood. Super-informative and entertaining!
Hey, thank you so much :-) much appreciated :-) cheers, Dan
@@MoviesMusicMonsters as other people have mentioned, Mr. Epstein sadly passed in 1967,so he couldn't have been involved in a screening of the show for the Beatles
I had a Freddy the flute from the cereal box. It was my most prized possession for several years. Somewhere along the way my mom got rid of him and I think of him every so often and wish I still had him.
I still have my Freddy from the cereal offer. I think it was Post Honey Comb, my favorite @ the time. Couldn't wait for the day when the postman would deliver my "magical flute"! That was back in 1970. I also couldn't resist spray painting my flute a brilliant shiny gold color to look more like our little friend on "Pufnstuf". The value has probably gone down on this collectible, since I made that error in spraying it, but oh well. Sorry your mom got rid of your golden pal. Some things from our childhood we love and cherish all our lives, even if they are but a memory.
H.R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Lost were by far my 2 favorite shows as a kid. One thing that all of those Sid and Marty Kroft shows had in common was that nobody made it home. Jimmy didn't in Pufnstuf, The Marshalls didn't in Land of the Lost, Mark didn't in Lidsville. The list goes on. Even as a young kid it irritated me that nobody got home safe. You could argue that the Marshals did in the Circle episode of Land of the Lost, but since they were there for 2 more seasons, I vote no.
Jack Wild -- are you kidding? I'd never have seen it if it hadn't starred that adorable, talented young thing Jack.
I have fond memories of this in the early 70's
I'm glad you reviewed this show. Brings back a lot of great memories.
I was 5 yrs old when our family went to the World Fair in Texas in 1968 & i fell in love with H.R. Puff & Stuff (either before or after the Banana Splits). I got the 45 rpm record of H.R & also the ' Splits & WORE THEM OUT. Also, i got everything a kid could order or get with a box of cereal but we moved & it's all long gone. The flute WAS really cool.
At 7 yrs old I watched and loved HRPUFNSTUF I believe it was a prelude to the Power Rangers characters that my niece used to watch in the 90s. After hearing this on UA-cam, I can now connect to the two.
Yes, you're probably right :-)
I remember as a kid watching this and saying to myself, that lake at the beginning looks familiar. Turns out it was Big Beat Lake which we would visit regularly.
I loved this show...it played on Saturday's in the UK and we sadly got none of the fantastic tie-in merch. Thanks for covering this!
When I saw the pic of the origibal Freddy Flute I had a flashback- wasn't there an episode where Freddy was evil and looked like that? He got cursed or something maybe? IDK I just thought I had seen that evil version of Freddy Flute somewhere but I used to "Puff and Stuff" a lot myself back in the day.
I had one of those flutes when I was a kid but I lost that more than twenty years ago.
Wow ! I always thought it was a real flute when I was a kid !
Born in 65 and I absolutely loved this show, possibly the most imaginative kids show ever. ❤ I really think it deserved more seasons. I think I really liked that his name was the same as mine. Lol I always wanted that flute.
You and I are right in the same age range. As a kid I thought this show was not only interesting but creatively fascinating. I still love it :-) thanks for the support, Dan
Dear Mr. Pufnstuf, how lucky you are to be a real life Pufnstuf!
Billie Hayes I recognized her in an episode of Bewitched when Tabitha went into the storybook of Hansel &Gretal Billie was the witch in the ginger bread house in that episode she was a great actress
Take a look back: The absolute best episode had Mama Cass Elliott dressed as a witch and singing " Different ". She represented those of disenfranchised kids: The poor, the small, the less intelligent, the handicapped, and anyone else's who was different. God Bless you, Mama Cass and HR Pufnstuff!
Hey Dan! I actually have one of the REAL background resin Freddys! Given to me by one of the prop guys who was friends with my uncle who was a rigger on that show. Never did bother to go through the process of it being all authenticated, certified, whatever, because I will NEVER sell it. As a matter of fact, it will be buried with me for reasons nobody cares to hear.
Wow, that is so freaking cool! Thanks so much for sharing :)
My whole kitchen is decorated in Sid and Marty Kroft memorabilia ❤❤!!!!!
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
That is so cool!!
What a great show, I remember watching this with my sister as kids 😊
Loved Sid and Mary Kroft Saturday mornings, I even had a Sigmund and the Sea Monsters lunch box (it was metal) good memories, but HR Puffinstuff was my favorite 😊
Do you still have the lunch box? :-)
Wow - never would have guessed HR was only one season.
I loved it so much. I still do the mechanical boy dance and my kids thought it was something I made up until I showed them the episode.
The Mayor of Living Island still lives over on our channel Dan! Swing by on April 20th for a big Sid & Marty Krofft Streamapalooza with all your fave shows of ours, including H.R. Pufnstuf! 🖤💛💙💜💚🧡