H.R. Pufnstuf

Sometimes, the lyrics of a show summarize the story better than anything else ever could. With H.R. PUFNSTUF, this holds true. In the short span of the song, the viewer is introduced to the main characters and instantly knows who's the hero and who's the villain. The song is as simple as the show's concept of good versus evil.

"Once upon a summertime
Just a dream from yesterday
A boy and magic golden flute
Heard a boat from off the bay
'Come and play with me, Jimmy
Come and play with me
And I will take you on a trip
Far across the sea'

But the boat belonged to a kooky old witch
Who had in mind the flute to snitch
From her Vroom Broom in the sky
She watched her plans materialize
She waved her wand
The beautiful boat was gone
The skies grew dark
The sea grew rough
And the boat sailed on and on and on and on and on

But Pufnstuf was watching too
And knew exactly what to do
He saw the witch's boat attack
And as the boy was fighting back
He called his Rescue Racer crew
As often they'd rehearsed
And off to save the boy they flew
But who would get there first?

Now the boy had washed ashore
Puf arrived to save the day
Which made the witch so mad and sore
She shook her fist and screamed away

H.R. Pufnstuf
Who's your friend when things get rough?
H.R. Pufnstuf
Can't do a little 'cuz he can't do enough"


In a nut shell, in case the song doesn't answer all of your questions the show is about a boy named Jimmy who is magically transported to Living Island. The magic behind his trip is supplied by Witchiepoo, who is out to posses Jimmy's magical flute, Freddy. H.R. Pufnstuf, the cowboy boot wearing dragon and mayor of the island sets out to save Jimmy from the witch and help him return home. Helping Pufnstuf are a cast of characters including Cling and Clang the Rescue Racer crew, Dr. Blinky the owl inventor, while Orson the vulture and Seymour the spider played henchman to the witch. The rest of the cast was rounded out by a variety of singing and dancing animals of every sort, and talking trees reminiscent of THE WIZARD OF OZ.

The show was one of several popular Saturday morning shows developed in the late 60's and early 70's by brothers Sid and Marty Krofft. Originally airing on NBC from 1969-1971, it moved to ABC during the 1972 season, and then several more years in syndication as part of the KROFFT SUPERSHOW with other Sid and Marty creations like THE BUGALOOS, SIGMUND AND THE SEA MONSTERS, LAND OF THE LOST and more.
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