H.R. Pufnstuf

H.R. Pufnstuf is a children's television series produced by Sid and Marty Krofft in the United States. It was the first Krofft live-action, life-size puppet program. The seventeen episodes were originally broadcast from September 6, 1969 to December 27, 1969. The broadcasts were successful enough that NBC kept it on the Saturday morning schedule until August 1972. The show was shot in Paramount Studios and its opening was shot in Big Bear Lake, California. Reruns of the show aired on ABC Saturday morning from September 2, 1972 to September 8, 1973 and on Sunday mornings in some markets from September 16, 1973 to September 8, 1974. It was syndicated by itself from 1974 to 1978 and in a package with six other Kroft series under the banner Kroft Superstars from 1978 to 1985. In 2004 and 2007, H.R. Pufnstuf was ranked #22 and #27 on TV Guide's Top Cult Shows Ever.

H.R. Pufnstuf is a 1969-1970 American children's fantasy series created by Marty and Sid Krofft for NBC, built around life-size puppet characters and live actors on a sprawling set. A boy named Jimmy lands on a magical island and is befriended by Pufnstuf, a friendly dragon-like creature who carries a talking flute named Freddy. Their days are a chain of colorful escapes and comic misadventures as they dodge the scheming sorceress Witchiepoo, who keeps trying to capture Pufnstuf and seize his magic. The seventeen episodes share a single season of bright, handmade set pieces, costumed grotesques, cheerful songs, and dreamlike wonder. Its tone is campy, sincere, and breezy rather than frightening, a comforting Saturday morning escape that feels loud and playful in the best way. Viewers who grew up with it remember its candy-colored absurdity and sweet heart, while newcomers find a strange, gentle time capsule of early Krofft imagination. The emotional core is friendship and loyalty against silly threats, delivered with a wink to children and an easy warmth to the adults watching alongside them.

Contemporary critics largely dismissed the show as cheap and repetitive, but later viewers embraced it as a bizarre, colorful cult classic of 1960s children's television.

• Sigmund and the Sea MonstersBoth are 1970s-era live-action children's fantasy series built on campy costumed characters and Saturday morning appeal
• Land of the LostBoth are Krofft productions that mix live actors, puppetry, and bright practical sets into a surreal children's adventure
• The Banana SplitsBoth are early children's variety-style fantasy shows aimed at young viewers, with whimsical costumed characters and musical numbers

Created by

Marty Krofft, Sid Krofft

Release Date

1969-09-06

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

7.4 / 10 (25)

What is H.R. Pufnstuf about?

A boy trapped on a magical island befriends a talking flute and a dragon-like puppet while fleeing a sorceress villain.

What is H.R. Pufnstuf like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of H.R. Pufnstuf as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is H.R. Pufnstuf violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in H.R. Pufnstuf.

What did critics think of H.R. Pufnstuf?

Contemporary critics largely dismissed the show as cheap and repetitive, but later viewers embraced it as a bizarre, colorful cult classic of 1960s children's television.

Which shows are like H.R. Pufnstuf?

Shows with a similar feel include Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, Land of the Lost, and The Banana Splits.

How long is H.R. Pufnstuf?

H.R. Pufnstuf: 1 season, 17 episodes.

Is H.R. Pufnstuf still running?

No, H.R. Pufnstuf has ended.

Where can I watch H.R. Pufnstuf?

In United States, H.R. Pufnstuf streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, The Roku Channel, Hoopla, Midnight Pulp, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Dove Amazon Channel, Tubi TV, Cineverse Amazon Channel.