Customer Reviews

H.R. Pufnstuf:.Complete Series

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the criticisms I have with present-day children's TV is the mentality of the producers that shows have to be "educational." PLEASE...give me a break. Let kids be kids! Pufnstuf was not educational. It was not politically correct. It was not "socially aware." But it sure was FUN! Colorful, silly, and plenty of catchy songs! Who could ask for more? My son enjoys this box set, and told me the other day that he wished they still made kids' shows like this today.

By the way, has anyone else experienced the problem with the episode where Freddy turns into a mushroom? That particular episode looks like it was not remastered at all for the DVD. It has pops and lines, and has that dark and faded look that films get when they have aged. Also, two or three of the episodes have a shortened version of the theme song - just the part at the end of the opening credits where Jimmy, Puf, and Cling and Clang are dancing down the path singing, "H.R. Pufnstuf...Who's your friend, etc.". Other than these two observations, everything else looks great.

H.R. Pufnstuf is the precursor to PeeWee's Playhouse, Zoobolie Zoo, Spongebob Squarepants, and basically every kids' show that looks like the writers used chemical sources of inspiration. If you enjoy the any of the shows I just mentioned, Pufnstuf sounds cool but really isn't all it's cracked up to be. Once you get past the bizarre and colorful imagery of the show, the series itself is pretty boring, with none of the wit that the shows it later influenced added. In other words, one or two episodes is really enough; after that you'll understand why parents never watched this show with their kids.

Of course, if you grew up watching the show, it has an entirely different meaning to you. But if you're just interested in cult TV, keep watching PeeWee and Spongebob and know that you're not missing anything.

How cool is THIS!!! I have waited YEARS for this. I grew up watching the Sid & Marty Kroft tv show. Showing my age a bit eh? However there were two stand out shows from them. Land of the Lost (that box set is coming this year from Rhino!) and H.R. Pufnstuf! To have these wonderful treasures in a DVD set is like a magic flute to my ears and candy for my eyes. This was an escape for us when we were younger and it is wonderful to be able to go back to that escape now as a grown up. This is also a great gift to share with your young ones you might have now because there is not much anymore on TV that really is offering kids a fantasy to escape into without trying to sell them stuff. So who you call when things get ruff? H.R. Pufnstuff!!!!!!!

All 17 Original Episodes Together on DVD for the First Time
Featuring Over Two Hours of Bonus Features

Los Angeles, CA (January 22, 2004)-Rhino Home Video brings the wondrous world of H.R. Pufnstuf, Jimmy & Freddie to life again with the release of H.R. PUFNSTUF-THE COMPLETE SERIES on DVD. The 3-disc collection-on DVD for the first time-celebrates the 35th anniversary of the series and includes all 17 original, uncut episodes of Sid & Marty Krofft's classic series that defined a generation's Saturday mornings together.

The collection will include more than two hours of bonus features, with rare and never-before-seen footage including brand-new commentary with Sid & Marty Krofft, as well as exclusive interviews with Billie Hayes (Witchiepoo), Jack Wild (Jimmy) and TV historian Hal Erickson, making this DVD a must-have collector's edition. As an added bonus, the set includes the original 1950s Krofft pilot Irving and specially selected TV Land promo spots.

The series follows the story of Jimmy, who, while playing on a riverbank with his magic singing flute, Freddie, boards a boat that mysteriously summons him. Unfortunately for Jimmy, the boat was sent by the evil Witchiepoo, who is out to steal Freddie for herself. Jimmy manages to escape to the enchanted Living Island, where the mayor, H.R. Pufnstuf, rescues him. Throughout the series, H.R. Pufnstuf and the other enchanted colorful characters from the island help Jimmy as he tries to thwart Witchiepoo and escape the island with Freddie.

Pufnstuf has a built-in fan base through the home video market and continues to reach out to new generations of enthusiasts. It was the first series created and produced by Sid & Marty Krofft-the kings of Saturday morning television throughout the 1970s and 1980s. H.R. Pufnstuf premiered in 1969 with 17 original episodes that were rerun for more than a decade, making it a staple of the Saturday morning lineup. The success of the series prompted a feature film, Pufnstuf, in 1970.

Sid & Marty Krofft's contributions to the entertainment industry will be honored in numerous ways throughout 2004. Major events include a Krofft retrospective being held in Los Angeles in January, a four-hour programming event on TV Land to air Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, corresponding media tour surrounding the DVD release and TV Land event, and a special documentary honoring the Kroffts' influence on America. Finally, in April 2004, TV Land will

begin regularly airing Pufnstuf episodes and other Krofft programming during the "Kitschen" block, which airs every Friday and Saturday from Midnight to 2a.m.

H.R. PUFNSTUF-THE COMPLETE SERIES will be available February 10, 2004, for $39.95. The release will be supported with a targeted marketing campaign, highlighted by TV Land's pre-event promotions beginning seven days prior to the February 17th airdate, with the DVD boxed set included in pre-event spots. TV spots and sponsor mentions will air for the DVD during the TV Land event as well. Additionally, the TV Land programming and DVD will be supported by a national print campaign in high-profile publications.

Brothers Sid & Marty Krofft have been producing quality family entertainment for over 30 years. The fifth generation in a line of puppeteers, Sid & Marty became a household name in the '70s with a series of remarkable programs that featured elaborate sets and fanciful characters. H.R. Pufnstuf was the first in a long line of beloved programs created by the Kroffts, including The Bugaloos, Lidsville, Land Of The Lost, Far Out Space Nuts, Lost Saucer, The Krofft Supershow Hour, The Bay City Rollers Show, Wonderbug and Bigfoot & Wildboy. The Kroffts' success with Saturday morning television prompted a demand for them to produce prime-time programming. They produced various prime-time series and specials, including The Brady Bunch Hour, the Donny & Marie show and Barbara Mandrell & The Mandrell Sisters.

I hope this collection will be truly compplete. Will they include the LIDSVILLE episode with Puf? Or the SIGMUND one? Or the concerts? Or the variety stuff? Hope so. Also hope to see a BUGALOOS DVD box set someday.

thought the series was great when i was a kid.and still think so now.but where is the movie version from 1970!