Rating: 
Summary: Like, totally far out!
Review: I dug this show when I was a kid. I recently saw it and it blew my mind. The talking trees and other wild things were a real trip!
Either the creators of this show were unbelievably creative...or they were on some serious drugs! Either way, this show is a lot of fun to watch.
Rating: 
Summary: hope it is complete
Review: I hope this collection will be truly compplete. Will they include the LIDSVILLE episode with Puf? Or the SIGMUND one? Or the concerts? Or the variety stuff? Hope so. Also hope to see a BUGALOOS DVD box set someday.
Rating:
Summary: Great DVD set for Kids
Review: I remember Puf N Stuff as a kid (I even saw the movie at a drive-in). I am glad this is finally on DVD. The color quality and crisp picture is great, like night and day compared to TV or a previous video we have. Our daughter, now 6, still loves to watch these over and over. And on one or two DVDs, you can start it and it will play about 6 episodes on a row, without a parent having to restart it. It also does not have a bunch of commercials at the beginning. If you have a youngster that likes vibrant colors and excitement, this is a great collection for them to enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Smiles And A Little Sadness
Review: I think the first thing that fans of the H.R. Pufnstuf series might find surprising is that there were only 17 episodes produced, and one of those is what amounts to a "clip" show. When the series first aired, it seemed to go on forever. That was in the days of one episode a Saturday, every Saturday. Somehow, kids didn't quite catch on that it was the same eps over and over.
But the show itself was pretty revolutionary for its time. A Dragon with a heart of gold, a witch with an eye for gold and a kid with a golden flute in the middle.
But that's typical of Sid and Marty Krofft, who provided a gentle touch, a bit of slapstick, some wild sets and costumes and a stellar star in the form of Jack Wild, just off his Artful Dodger turn in the Best Picture Oscar winning "Oliver!" at the time.
If you're a fan of the series, you will like what you see here. As advertised, every episode is presented (though one of them is in rather washed out shape in comparison to the rest for some reason). But even more notable are the special features you get here.
It's rare to get a sit down interview with the Kroffts themselves, but you get to hear them both tell their stories about the days of their childhood careers, and what led them to create their collection of programs. THAT is worth the price of the DVD, because you get to find out a lot about the psychology of these two guys through their candid interaction: Sid, who was the Vaudeville star, and Marty, who copied his world famous sibling doing his same act. The interaction between these two could be the most amusing thing in this collection and MUST NOT BE MISSED!
They also slip you a couple of episodes of an early program titled "Irving" about a circus lion and his adventures in and around the Big Top.
Billie Hayes, who played antagonist Witchiepoo, does a wonderful interview at a convention, with people walking by in the background of a hotel ballroom, and that in itself is amusing.
But the toughest thing for me to see was Jack Wild's interview. It's clear that the guy has been through a very tough time in his life and every last bit of it shows quite clearly in his face. He nearly looks as old as his witch counterpart! However, to his credit, he still has the youth in his eyes and is still quite expressive.
If I have any advice, I'd suggest you view all the special features before you see any of the episodes. It sets them up a bit better and give you a better sense of the people involved and the timing of everything. But it's really a great package, good for kids from the 1970s, or maybe even their kids!
Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: yes, pick this thing up!
Review: I want you to pick this thing up! It makes a great gift, and it contains the complete package. It's one of those DVD's you will want to be around your (or someone elses) family to watch. Always watch this DVD with family.
Rating:
Summary: I'm not a big fan, but it's still fun
Review: I was never a big fan of H.R. Pufnstuf but was still glad to see it on DVD. Here are the extra's that you will find on the DVD...Commentary on the pilot episode
Sid and Marty get together to reminisce about their favorite series, H.R. Pufnstuf. They jam this track full of information and have wonderful stories to tell about the series. It sounds like everyone on the Paramount lot loved the show. Fans of the series will love listening to this. Interview with creators Sid & Marty Krofft (22:02)
A really interesting interview with the brothers. They talk about how they got into puppetry and how the show was started, and even address the drug question. Sid did most of the talking, something that seemed to bother Marty. Hey, they're obviously brothers! Interview with Billie Hayes (Witchiepoo) (10:32)
Billie has a nice chat about her career and the show. Interview with Jack Wild (Jimmy) (11:42)
Jack Wild looks quite different from when he was on the show, but there are glimpses of Jimmy still in him. He spends a lot of time talking about the show and how it affected him as a person. He also talks about some of the pranks they used to play on the set. Interview with TV historian, Hal Erickson (10:09)
Hal does a great job putting H.R. Pufnstuf into a historical perspective, but the gold in this interview is when he explains the battle between McDonald's and the Kroffts over the McDonald's characters. Very interesting stuff! "Irving" (Sid & Marty Krofft pilot from 1975) (8:23)
This footage is really rough, but it's cool to see some of their early puppetry work. The opening minutes are chaotic with tons of different puppets performing, but then it kicks into a story. If your a fan this will be great. I'm looking forward to the LAND OF THE LOST DVD due out later this year!!!
Rating:
Summary: the most colorful kids show ever made
Review: I watched this when i was a kid in the late 80's and 90's and I still watch this beyond wack show. Witchiepoo and her monsters are absolutely the best characters of the show. $@) 420 4ever!
Rating:
Summary: The best show on T.V.
Review: I,unfortunately, did not grow up in the late 60's-early 70's. I never did get to see the show. However, if you feel a connection to that period of time (nostaligac, I asumme), this is definitely for you. It's one of those feelings about that time period that you can't explain; it's emotional, and you almost feel like you lived back then. As far as the DVD, like I said earlier, if you feel a connection to that time period (whether you remember the show or not), you will love it. I'm very serious.
Rating:
Summary: What a fun show
Review: One of the criticisms I have with present-day children's TV is the mentality of the producers that shows have to be "educational." PLEASE...give me a break. Let kids be kids! Pufnstuf was not educational. It was not politically correct. It was not "socially aware." But it sure was FUN! Colorful, silly, and plenty of catchy songs! Who could ask for more? My son enjoys this box set, and told me the other day that he wished they still made kids' shows like this today.
By the way, has anyone else experienced the problem with the episode where Freddy turns into a mushroom? That particular episode looks like it was not remastered at all for the DVD. It has pops and lines, and has that dark and faded look that films get when they have aged. Also, two or three of the episodes have a shortened version of the theme song - just the part at the end of the opening credits where Jimmy, Puf, and Cling and Clang are dancing down the path singing, "H.R. Pufnstuf...Who's your friend, etc.". Other than these two observations, everything else looks great.
Rating:
Summary: Favorite show--go get it--10 Brilliant Stars ***********
Review: This show was one of the best shows on Saturday morning. I grew up watching all of Sid & Marty Kroffts shows. They were very funny & entertaining to watch. I just can't wait until they release the other shows in a series set as well. Best shows in the 70's. I wish they made more shows like this one. Most of us who watched the shows way back when know what I am talking about. That was the best time in television. Great shows & better kids shows & comedies. Too much television is edited out these days. Your kids will love to watch Sid & Marty Kroffts television series. They are for the kid at heart. I am glad that they finally released a complete series set. I will be waiting for more in the near future.
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