A flute that talks, a dragon sheriff who seems to lack firey breath, a stove that does a bad Edward G. Robinson impression, a house that sneezes, and all sorts of talking characters that appear to be in drag (check out the dancing frog) join "Oliver's" Jack Wild in this corny ADV adventure. The Saturday morning live action kiddie show was successful enough at the time to warrant a big screen version, and it's entertaining enough to warrant a few laughs, but they are often embarrassing for adults, especially when they recall howling at stuff like this when they were a kid.The energetic performance of Billie Hayes is the major reason to watch this, not the sappy score. Of the songs, only Mama Cass's "Different" stands out, having hidden meanings for kids bullied like Jack here, an outcast in his school simply because he's British. So while this at times seems to be simple children's entertainment, it does try to teach some valuable lessons. Only the most patient of adults will be able to get through it without cringing. References to cultural icons like the Gabor sisters and W.C. Fields as voices of some of the characters hidden inside the costumes, while a stereotypical John Wayne impersonator plays the skybound west wind. Famous little persons Billy Barty and Angelo Rossito are hidden inside some of the smaller costumes. Martha Raye is fairly amusing in a cameo as "boss witch".

A (until recently)lost gem, PUFNSTUF is a wacky feature film extension of the popular late 60s/early 70s childrens's TV show. The story picks up with Jimmy(Jack Wild)getting kicked out of his school band by the harpie band director. Alone and sad, he discovers that his previously inanimate flute can talk! Together they board a boat(which is really under the spell of Witchiepoo, a comically inept witch who is after Freddy)headed for Living Island, a place populated by talking trees, animals, clocks and such, presided over by yellow dragon mayor H.R. Pufnstuf. Luckily for Jimmy, they're all friendly, because he jumps overboard the evil boat and makes for shore. The rest of the movie concerns Jimmy's trying to get off Living Island and avoiding the schemings of the witch to snatch Freddy. Witchiepoo is played by Billie Hayes, and her performance is the highlight of the film. Flanked by incompetent cronies Seymour the spider and Orson the buzzard, Witchiepoo staggers from one half-baked scheme to another, using her magic to assume some wacky disguises, turning herself into a giant sunflower with her face in the middle and a blonde go-go dancer in a yellow fringed jumpsuit! Also on hand are Martha Raye as Boss Witch, the "Queen of all Witch-dom", who informs Witchiepoo that her castle will be the site of the annual Witches'Convention, and "Mama" Cass Elliot in her only feature film appearance as Witch Hazel. The songs are catchy and memorable(Elliot sings a straight-up pop song, "Different", and the rest are Broadway-styled)and the film has some satirical moments. The Living Island citizens storm Witchiepoo's castle dressed as angels(one of the few things that frighten witches)to free Freddy and Pufnstuf, who is tied to a spit with a huge apple in his mouth. The Witches'Convention is in full swing, and as the angels appear, pandemonium breaks out, with witches scrambling for the exit. "Why didn't you get this place angel proofed?"Martha Raye screams to Witchiepoo. The hapless witch begs fleeing guests to stay. "Aw, go to heaven!" yells Cass Elliot as she shoves Witchiepoo aside and makes for the door. Universal recently released this movie on video 30 years after it's theatrical release in the summer of 1970. During that time, it had slipped into oblivion, remembered only by a die-hard few. It has the potential to have the same cult status as WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. If you like WILLY, give PUFNSTUF a try.

I used to watch Pufnstuf every weekend when I was about 10. It was on right after Bay City Rollers. I saw it come on to Family Channel one day, and taped it for my then three-year old daughter. I'd forgotten all the things I'd loved as a child, the magic flute, the zoom broom, Witcheepoo's makeup.This show is decidedly low tech. The mayor is surely a precedent to Mayor McCheese, and everyone is a stuffed creature with annoying googly eyes. But kids love this stuff. They would way, way rather watch a guy work a sock puppet than sit in front of high-tech computer animation. There is (mild) slapstick, but no adult themes such as sex or people dying, and kids accept Jimmy's schemes. Kids think it would be neat to carry a bag of smoke around and convince someone their house was on fire, and I loved how every time my daughter saw a jet stream in the sky she thought Witchypoo was flying overhead. The music is old, but you really get used to it, and my daughter really loved it. She used to sing "different is hard, different is lonely" in the car. My daughter watched this show at least once a day for about 5 months, and it's still one of her favourites.I see that a new Pufnstuf 2000 is in the works. I really hope they try to keep the old flavour and don't do anything like computer-animating characters etc. I think a whole new generation would love Pufnstuf.

I caught this a few months ago on Family Channel, and having some memories of the TV show from my youth, decided to watch it along with my 4 year old daughter. I should have got some psychedelic mushrooms to go along with it, 'cause this is just bizarre! Not only is it a musical with annoyingly forgettable tunes, the requisite cheesy effects and cameos by stars long past their collective primes, it seems to have been produced as somebody's good acid trip. Talking flutes, British children far too old for this kind of crap... in the words of Krusty the Klown "uuuuuugggghhhhh! What was I on?" If you're a huge fan of the whole Sid and Marty Krofft oeuvre, go for it; otherwise, unless you're willing to get looped before watching, stay far, far, FAR away.