While out by the sea one day, Jimmy, a teenager, and Freddie, his talking flute, were lured to a boat. The boat was sent by Witchiepoo, an evil witch who wanted Freddie. Once Jimmy and Freddie had taken off in the boat, Witchiepoo changed it into an evil ship. Jimmy and Freddie were rescued by H. R. Pufnstuf, a talking dragon who is the mayor of Living Island. On Living Island, everything on the island is actually living, including trees, flowers, books and candles (hence the name, Living Island).

Throughout the series, Jimmy tried to return home and Witchiepoo tried to get Freddie - neither of them ever suceeded.

Technically, Pufnstuff did not start in the 1970s. It originally aired in 1969 and was into reruns by the time the decade arrived. Since it continued to air on Saturdays until September 73 (and continued on Sunday mornings for an additional year) and was the show that started the whole slew of Krofft shows on Saturday morning and ushered in a whole new era of live action Saturday morning shows in the 70s, I felt it had to be included on this site. Although there was only one season of new episodes, the show spawned a feature length film, Pufnstuf, in 1970.

Pufnstuf and Witchiepoo, along with various other secondary characters, were brought back from time to time for appearances on other Saturday morning Krofft shows (including the Krofft Superstar Hour/Bay City Rollers Show), live events, and prime time series, like the Krofft produced Brady Bunch Hour and even CHiPs.

Paul Lynde Halloween Special was released on DVD on October 2, 2007. The 1976 special features an appearance by Billie Hayes as Witchiepoo, along with Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West. Other guests include Betty White, Tim Conway, Florence Henderson, and the rock group KISS.

Order it from Amazon:

(click on images for larger versions)

In 2004, Rhino Home Video released a box set of the entire series on DVD with several extras, including commentary and interviews with the Kroffts, Jack Wild, and Billie Hayes. Rhino has also released other episodes on VHS and DVD, as well as the H. R. Pufnstuf: Live at the Hollywood Bowl special. The movie has also been released on video. Buy these videos through Amazon:

H.R. Pufnstuf Complete Series Set (DVD)

H.R. Pufnstuf Complete Series Set (VHS)

H.R. Pufnstuf Volume 1 (DVD)

H.R. Pufnstuf Volume 1 (VHS)

H. R. Pufnstuf: Live at the Hollywood Bowl

Punstuf (VHS)

Krofft Box Set (DVD)

Krofft Box Set (VHS)

For more info on how to find other Saturday morning shows, check out this page.




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