Pufnstuf (film) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pufnstuf
Original Theatrical Poster
Directed by	Hollingsworth Morse
Produced by	Sid and Marty Krofft Si Rose Malcolm Alper
Written by	John Fenton Murray Si Rose
Starring	Jack Wild Billie Hayes Martha Raye 'Mama' Cass Elliot Billy Barty Voices Walker Edmiston Joan Gerber Al Melvin Don Messick
Music by	Charles Fox
Cinematography	Kenneth Peach
Editing by	David Rawlins
Studio	Sid and Marty Krofft Enterprises
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date(s)	June 3, 1970 (1970-06-03) (San Antonio, Texas - Premiere) June 15, 1970 (1970-06-15) (United States)
Running time	98 minutes 94 minutes (Sony print)
Country	United States
Language	English

Pufnstuf is a fun fantasy musical film from 1970. It was made by Sid and Marty Krofft Enterprises and released by Universal Pictures. The movie is based on the popular children's TV show H.R. Pufnstuf. Get ready for an adventure on a magical island!

Story of Pufnstuf

The movie starts with a boy named Jimmy (Jack Wild). He gets into trouble at school and then finds a magical talking flute named Freddy. An evil witch named Witchiepoo (Billie Hayes) wants Freddy the Flute. She tricks Jimmy onto a special boat. This boat takes him to Living Island, a place where everything is alive!

On Living Island, Jimmy meets many friendly characters. The leader is Mayor H.R. Pufnstuf (voiced by Al Melvin). Witchiepoo is determined to steal Freddy. She wants to impress the Witches' Council and the Boss Witch (Martha Raye). She hopes to win the "Witch of the Year Award."

Witchiepoo tries to steal Freddy by pretending to be a dance teacher. Jimmy and his new friends get the flute back. They dig a tunnel to Witchiepoo's castle and pretend there's a fire. Witchiepoo gets angry and attacks Pufnstuf's town. Her flying vehicle is destroyed during the attack.

Jimmy feels bad for putting his new friends in danger. He decides to leave Living Island with Freddy without telling anyone. He hopes this will keep them safe. But Witchiepoo returns to Pufnstuf's town. She shrinks all the island's inhabitants and locks them in her castle dungeon. Jimmy finds out and decides to rescue them.

Witchiepoo invites the Witches' Council for a big meeting. She plans to make Pufnstuf the main meal! Jimmy disguises himself as a witch to get inside the castle. He tries to save Pufnstuf but is discovered. Jimmy is then thrown into the dungeon with the others.

A character named Mole digs a tunnel into the dungeon. Everyone escapes except Pufnstuf, who is about to be cooked. Back in town, they plan a rescue. A magical book tells them that witches are scared of good fairy angels. So, they all dress up as white good fairy angels. They raid the castle, scare away the Witches' Council, and save Pufnstuf!

Witchiepoo is the only witch who realizes they were faking. She flies off to tell the other witches to come back. On the way, her minion sees the good guys back in town. She orders him to use her special "doomsday bomb" on them. But her minion accidentally drops the bomb inside their vehicle! This causes a huge explosion, and their vehicle is destroyed.

The movie ends with a happy song. Pufnstuf says, "When good friends pull together, they can do anything."

Meet the Cast

• Jack Wild - Jimmy
• Billie Hayes - Wilhelmina W. Witchiepoo
• Cass Elliot - Witch Hazel
• Martha Raye - Boss Witch
• Billy Barty - Googy Gopher, Orville Pelican
• Jane Dulo - Miss Flick
• Jan Davis - Witch Way

Voice Actors

• Walker Edmiston - Dr. Blinky, Ludicrous Lion, Seymour Spider, Candle, Hippie Tree
• Joan Gerber - Dowager Tree, Granddaughter Clock, Freddy the Flute (some scenes)
• Al Melvin - H.R. Pufnstuf, Heinrich Rat, Living Island Boat, Orville Pelican, Polka-Dotted Horse, Stupid Bat, West Wind
• Don Messick - Freddy the Flute, Googy Gopher, Orson Vulture

Puppeteers

• Sharon Baird - Shirley Pufnstuf
• Roberto Gamonet - H.R. Pufnstuf
• Van Snowden

Soundtrack Album

A soundtrack album for Pufnstuf was released in 1970. It featured songs and music by Charles Fox.

Album Songs

1. "If I Could" - Jack Wild
2. "Fire in the Castle"
3. "Living Island" - Jack Wild/Cast
4. "Witchiepoo's Lament"
5. "Angel Raid"
6. "A Friend In You" - Jack Wild
7. "How Lucky I Am"
8. "Pufnstuf" - Jack Wild/Cast
9. "Charge"
10. "Different" - Mama Cass Elliot
11. "Zap The World" - Jack Wild, Billie Hayes, Martha Raye
12. "Leaving Living Island"
13. "Rescue Racer To The Rescue"
14. "Finale:a) If I Could / b) Living Island" - Jack Wild