H.R. Pufnstuf & Sigmund and the Sea Monsters: Headed to the Big Screen?

Any kid who grew up in the 1970s likely remembers the psychedelic kids’ shows H.R. Pufnstuf and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. Well, if Sid and Marty Krofft have their way, the kids of today will become acquainted with their far-out characters as well.

Created by the Krofft brothers, H.R. Pufnstuf debuted on September 6, 1969. The brightly-colored series told the story of a young boy named Jimmy (Jack Wild) who owns a magic flute named Freddie. The boy is lured to Living Island by the evil Witchiepoo (Billie Hayes) who wants to steal the flute. Thankfully, the mayor of the island, H.R. Pufnstuf (voiced by show writer Lennie Weinrib), and his friends save Jimmy and manage to keep the boy from the evil witch’s clutches. Though the series is well-remembered, it only ran for one season of 17 episodes.

Sigmund and the Sea Monsters followed the escapades of a sweet young sea monster, Sigmund (Billy Barty), who escaped from his nasty family, including Blurp (Bill Germaine, later Larry Larsen) and Slurp (Fred Spencer, later Paul Gale). Young human siblings Johnny and Scott Stuart (Johnny Whitaker and Scott Kolden) find Sigmund on the beach, befriend him, and help hide him from his cruel relatives and other humans. The series began in 1973 and ran for two seasons and 29 episodes

Aside from Pufinstuf making fun cameos on shows like George Lopez and ChiPs, the characters haven’t been seen in years. Now, with Hollywood quickly running out of TV shows to rehash, execs are looking to bring some of the Krofft shows to the big screen. Land of the Lost is already in production.

There was talk back in 2002 of a Pufnstuf movie, partnering the Kroffts, Columbia Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Nickelodeon Movies, but it never materialized. Now, according to Marty Krofft, the brothers are within days of finalizing deals for new Pufnstuf and Sigmund movies. He declined to elaborate about which studio(s) would be involved, possibly based on his experience.

Will Hollywood’s new found interest in these classic 60?s and 70?s shows pay off or will their big money go up in psychedelic smoke? Stay tuned!