PUFNSTUF – THE MOVIE (1970)

After Jimmy (Jack Wild, Oliver!) gets kicked out of the school band for being late, then tripping and breaking a drum kit, he ventures to the shore to play his flute, but he can't believe his eyes when his ordinary flute comes to life!

 

Then, a magical talking boat appears and beckons them to come aboard for a ride. Soon, everything turns dark, and they discover that it has all been orchestrated by an evil witch named Witchiepoo (Billie Hayes, Lidsville, The Black Cauldron) to take Jimmy prisoner and steal Freddy the Flute only to impress the visiting Witches' Council and the Boss Witch (Martha Raye) enough to win the Witch of the Year Award.

 

Once on Living Island, an island where everything is alive, it is up to the fantastic dragon, Mayor H.R. Pufnstuf (voiced by Allan Melvin) and his comical companions, Cling and Clang, to come to Jimmy and Freddy’s rescue and begins an adventure beyond anyone's wildest imagination.

 

Hot on the heels of the 1969 H.R. Pufnstuf television series, the film was rushed into production for theatrical distribution, with filming beginning in January 1970.  Created by Sid and Marty Krofft, the film was directed by TV veteran Hollingsworth Morse (Zorro, The Lone Ranger) and also featured legendary singer 'Mama' Cass Elliot as as Witchiepoo's frenemy and bitter rival Witch Hazel. The movie was financed by Universal Pictures and Kellogg's Cereal, the latter of which was a sponsor of the television show and released in the United States on June 15, 1970.

 

Bonus feature: Theatrical Trailer

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Number of DVDs: 1

Quality: 9.5/10

Running Time: 95 min. (approx)

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen

NOTES: This is a fan-made DVD set. Not    a studio release.