Pufnstuf (1970)

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

before all the kiddie vid weirdness of 'Yo Gabba Gabba' there was 'PufnStuf'. when i watch the 'PufnStuf' show now i'm really surprised at the similarities and how well the old show and movie keep up with recent kiddie TV trends.obviously 'PufnStuf' was ahead of it's time. it's claims are dubious but legit. i also think 'PufnStuf' is less irritating and obnoxious than 'Yo Gabba Gabba'. it's also more spectacular and has better sets.i still think this show is a little peculiar and a curiosity. i also think Jack Wild is still a little too much as is Puff's Jim Neighbors impersonated voice over. the problem with the 'PufnStuf' show is that it's too weird. it always has been. even watching it as a kid i thought it kind of strange. the result is because it's not the same well planned or thought out kiddie entertainment that Disney was.i don't know what to say about this movie. it's mostly of interest because of Mama Cass playing a witch and for retro nostalgia. you probably have to be stoned and zonked to fully partake or appreciate, otherwise you have to be four years old, in that case, it's competently filmed and produced kiddie fare and competes well with anything offered on the kiddie networks. it's every bit as good or better than 'Yo Gabba Gabba'.i enjoyed watching this again. but i think that says something about me more than the film. i know a lot of adults that couldn't sit through this or 'Yo Gabba Gabba'. i happen to watch both. i think i'm hopelessly zonked (or something else). i think the quality of things like this will remain forever notorious in the annals of what's what.

I've just recently borrowed my sister's DVD of Pufnstuf. I loved this movie and I am a huge fan of Jack Wild from seeing him in Oliver! and I had never seen Pufnstuf before so I thought that I would borrow her DVD. The first time I watched it I loved it straight away, I love the color, the storyline and the songs. My favorite songs are If I could, A friend in you, Different, Living Island, Pufnstuf and Zap the world. Every time you watch it you'll feel happy. In a wizard of oz like fantasy with similarities and who doesn't love Jack Wild or Pufnstuf? R.I.P Martha Raye and Jack Wild. Living Island IS a most amazing place. "Oh go home and have a nightmare."

Pufnstuf is what it is. I saw this in the cinema at age 4 and I have very fond, and vivid, memories of it. Seeing this as as adult allows one to catch the references that are way over the heads of the target audience - like the bit where Jimmy's grey witch wig is ripped off and Witch Hazel (Cass) sneers "I KNEW she had brown roots!". It is of course heavily influenced by the flower power culture of the time, and in some ways quite progressive. The track Different, for example sends a clear message to the young viewers about being yourself, not running with the pack, and cherishing what is is about yourself that is different. This could be an anthem to the gay community, it should be, great track.Martha Raye, Cass Elliot and Billie Hayes are all great as witches, and the Living Island cast give it their all in the confines of their character suits (includes Billy Barty, Felix Silla and other famous names). There is a LOT of over acting in this film - there's really nothing subtle, and when little Jack Wild has to emote his concern for the kidnapped residents of Living Island it's really little more than yelling. This is drama and comedy spread on with a trowel. While I think of it - I never could stand the flute though.I love the soundtrack, especially the above mentioned Different but also Zap The World, Pufnstuf and even Jack Wild's touching If I Could. What's more, it IS now out on CD from the tasteful people at El Records in London. See here for more: www.cherryred.co.uk/el/artists/pufnstuf.htm

Recently, during the 29th Annual Saturn Awards, presented by Cinescape Magazine, television legends Sid and Marty Krofft were presented with the Living Legend Award, for outstanding career achievement. It's not hard to imagine why. Where Walt Disney had Mickey Mouse as his flagship character, where DIC's Jean Chalopin and Andy Heyward had Inspector Gadget as theirs, so too the Kroffts had beloved H.R. Pufnstuf.Is it any wonder, then, that long before it became fashionable to make major motion pictures from hit TV series, the Kroffts were light years ahead of their time when they turned their flagship property, H.R. Pufnstuf, into a movie, entitling it simply Pufnstuf. And more, this is the only time we discover the backstory that is briefly described in the regular series' opening sequence. H.R. Pufnstuf ran for only 17 episodes on NBC Saturday mornings, yet Universal Pictures saw enormous potential in Puf, Jimmy, Freddie the Flute, and (naturally!) Witchiepoo to put them on the big screen.For some weird reason, Pufnstuf the movie is presented largely from Witchiepoo's perspective. Indeed, she it is who opens and closes the film, kicking things off by appearing before us while the screen remains in darkness. She describes all that we're about to witness as a tale of goody-two-shoes "and what they did to poor, sweet, adorable me," according to her. No wonder Billie Hayes remains deeply touched when she recalls how many children flocked as much to her as Witchiepoo as they did to Pufnstuf himself.I don't have much to say regarding the plot of the film; what I can tell you is, just see this film for yourselves. Bringing Mama Cass Elliott, Martha Raye and the Krofft world together in the same movie was a feat unheard of, even for its time --- 1970. Then again, Krofft was always somehow psychedelic. It still is today. Rock on, Pufnstuf! Rock on, Witchiepoo!