Pufnstuf *** (1970, Jack Wild, Billie Hayes, Martha Raye, Cass Elliot) – Classic Movie Review 8664

Director Hollingsworth Morse’s 1970 family comedy adventure Pufnstuf is an adaptation for the big screen of the children’s TV series H R Pufnstuf (17 episodes, 1969-1970), which will fill many a baby boomer with nostalgia for their childhoods.

It tells the story of a child’s adventures in the magical world of Living Island where the boy, Jimmy (Jack Wild), is pursued by the evil Wilhemina W Witchiepoo (Billie Hayes) but aided by H R Pufnstuf the Dragon (Roberto Gamonet) in his quest to defeat the wicked Boss Witch (Martha Raye).

Children today may find the production values rather cheap and tacky, but there are enough music and mayhem to keep most kids entertained for an afternoon, and Kenneth Peach’s nice Technicolor photography makes for a bright-looking movie.

Billie Hayes, as Witchiepoo, naturally enough gets all the best lines, but young Jack Wild is appealing, and Martha Raye and Cass Elliot [Mama Cass] (in her only film acting role) are very welcome as Boss Witch and Witch Hazel.

Also in the cast are Billy Barty, Jane Dulo, Allison McKay, Jan Davis, Sharon Baird, Joy Campbell, Roberto Gamonet, Angelo Rossitto, Felix Silla and Johnny Silver.

The screenplay is by John Fenton Murray and Si Rose.

The Mamas and the Papas pop star Mama Cass died of a heart attack in 1974, aged 32.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8664

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