HR Pufnstuf Celebrates 50 Years of Entertaining Children and the Legacy of Programs that Followed With A Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame To Sid & Marty Krofft and a Pending Exhibit at The Hollywood Museum.
50 years ago this week, “HR Pufnstuf, who’s your friend when things get rough?” joined such child endearing lyrics as “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” “Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street,” and then more recently “I love you, you love me, were a happy family.”
HR Pufnstuf is an iconic character to generations of young Saturday morning TV viewers, who fondly recall childhood memories, including celebrated personalities such as …
“HR Pufnstuf shaped my creativity and imagination. I will be forever grateful to the artists behind this inctedible show and mostly to Sid and Marty Krofft – thank you! Here is to 50 more years.” – David Arquette (Captain Barnabus/Sigmun and the Sea Monsters)
“Pufnstuf and Lidsville, along with a bowl of cereal, were my Saturday morning ritual growing up” – Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson/Little House on the Prairie)
“I remember the first time I saw Pufnstuf and my mad crush on Jack Wild was instantaneous. However, I recall being drawn to Witchy-Poo and Benita Bizarre of The Bugaloos, as well as every other amazing villains that came out of the minds of Sid& Marty Krofft. Thank you for a wonderful young adulthood.” – Carolyn Hennesy (Diane Miller/GH)
“Pufnstuf made the world a lot more magical for children all over the globe.” – Anson Williams (Potsie Weber/Happy Days)
“I loved every show that Sid and Marty Krofft created during my childhood, but I was especially fond of Billie Hayes because she played a witch on HR Pufnstuf. I also have fond memories of working with Johnny Whitaker, who was on ‘Sigmund and the Sea Monster,’ because he played Jack in the Beanstalk on “Bewitched” with me.” – Erin Murphy (Tabitha/Bewitched)
” I was the first generation/demographic to enjoy HR Pufnstuff. To say they don’t make em like they used to is an understatement. From the characters, to the music, to the stellar cast both on camera and voice over, Sid and Marty gave the world this magical, colorful place called Living Island. Along with Lidsville, The Bugaloos, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, just to name a few, The Krofft’s have delighted and entertained generations. But it all started with Pufnstuff, once upon a summertime, just a dream from yesterday.” – Bob Bergen (Voice of Porky the Pig)
“I can barely remember how I old I am and I don’t do nearly as much puffin and stuffin as HR.” – Bruce Vilanch (Writer/Comedian)
“Im very grateful to HR PufnStuf. Had he not been a success, Sid & Marty Krofft may not have gone on to create the “Donny and Marie Show,” which led to one of the greatest moments of my career – Dancing with Donny Osmond.” – Kate Linder (Esther Valentine/The Young & the Restless)
“I loved His Royal Puf’NStuf from the beginning. At 9 years old, I was working on Family Affair Monday through Friday and on Saturday mornings my father would wake all 8 of us up and make breakfast and we all watched the Saturday Morning Lineups. Puf ‘N Stuf was a major part of those Saturday mornings. Little did I know then that 4 years later, I would be in the offices of the great Sid & Marty Krofft discussing starring in their next show, “Sigmund & the Sea Monsters.” All my 9 year old dreams had come true. I got to work with these great creators and 45+ years later we’re still good friends.” – Johnny Whitaker (Sigmond & The Sea Monsters/Family Affair)
As part of the celebration, Pufnstuf creators, Sid & Marty Krofft, who recently received a Lifetime Emmy Award for their work, will be getting their Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Dec. 2019.
In addition, discussions are underway for an exhibit at the Hollywood Museum (Formerly The world famous Max Factor Building) off of Hollywood Blvd. The museum hopes to exhibit many of the now legendary Krofft creations including Pufnstuff, Witchy-poo, Freddie the Flute, the Bugaloos, Lidsville characters, Electra Woman and Dina Girl, Sigmund the Sea Monster (both the 1973 and current series), Mutt & Stuff, to Sleestaks from the Land of the Lost and even the DC Follies characters as well as items from their Variety Show successes such as The Donny & Marie Show and Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sister.
Sid & Marty Krofft Website (How many theme songs can you remember fondly?): http://www.sidandmartykrofft.com