Air Dates:
On ABC, from 9/10/77 - 9/2/78 (as part of the Krofft Supershow)
Number of Episodes:
17
Plot Synopsis:
Wacky adventures of three teens (Donald, Lorraine, and Kristy) and their friend Mongo, a genie. While hanging out at the beach, Donald found a magic bottle containing Mongo. The various adventures revolved around Mongo using his powers to get the gang in (unintentionally) and out of trouble. Intentional trouble was provided by Ace and Duncey, two hooligans.
Comments:
Lennie Weinrib was very active in children television, both in front of and behind the camera. Besides providing the voice for Pufnstuf, he also co-wrote all of the episodes of the series. Other examples of his voice work could be found in other Krofft shows (Lidsville,) and other animated shows (the New Adventures of Batman, the New Tom and Jerry Show, and the Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show, among others) Larry Larsen also worked with the Kroffts prior to Magic Mongo, he was the Dorse on Lost Saucer.
News:
Lennie Weinrib, who played Magic Mongo and provided the voice of H.R.
Pufnstuf,
passed away on June 28th. Besides voicing Pufnstuf, Weinrib was also the main
writer on the series. Weinrib provided many of the voices for other Krofft series,
including Lidsville and Sigmund
and the Sea Monsters. Other Saturday morning live action work included voicing
the character of Knock-Knock, the woodpecker, on the Skatebirds,
as well as guest spots on the Ghost Busters
and the Kids from C.A.P.E.R.
Krofft writer Mark Evanier's wrote a great obit on Weinrib here
and linked to another good one here,
which lists many of his animation credits.
Episode Guides:
Zap, You're in Love - The Surfing Contest (2 parter) - Teenage Werewolf - Who's Got the Mongo? - Hermie the Frog - You Gotta Be a Football Hero - Huli's Vacation - The Kissing Bandit - You've Come a Long Way, Baby - The Big Switch - The Cluck Star - Two Faces of Donald - Musical Magic - The Heist - That Old Mongo Magic
Multimedia:
Images/Screen Captures:
Mongo
Mongo and Kristy in flight
Mongo granting a wish
Links:
Magic Mongo at the Living Island
Availability:
A few episodes of the series was included on the, currently out of print, Columbia House "The World of Sid and Marty Krofft", Re-TV/Family series collection. Ebay from time to time.
The Krofft box set from Rhino Home Video included the "Huli's Vacation" episode. Buy the box set through Amazon
:
In 2003 and 2004, Cox Cable's Retro Saturday Morning aired the entire series as part of the second season of the Krofft Supershow.
Thanks to these airings, episodes are available from collectors. For more information on how to fine episodes of Magic Mongo, as well as other Saturday morning shows, go here.
Questions, Comments,
Suggestions, etc...
