H.R. Pufnstuf: The Complete Series

Who (or what) in heaven's name was the hallucinatory muse that inspired Sid and Marty Krofft to create this way-out "dimensional cartoon" that brought live-action back to cartoon-clogged Saturday morning television in 1969? Living Island, where drawling dragon H.R. Pufnstuf ("your friend when things get rough") benevolently reigns as mayor, makes Pee-Wee's Playhouse look like a Christian Science Reading Room, what with its psychedelic colors, wacky sound effects, life-size puppet characters, and talking everything. Jack Wild, the adorable Oscar-nominated child star from Oliver!, stars as Jimmy, who is stranded on Living Island, from which he tries to escape while also foiling schemes by the dread Witchiepoo to steal his magic talking flute, Freddy. The Kroffts created a unique world all their own, and the sheer novelty factor may captivate the same audience introduced to the retro pleasures of 3-D in Spy Kids 3-D, while nostalgic adults will certainly jump at the chance to be reunited with this TV Land icon. In addition to all 17 episodes, this three-disc set contains entertaining interviews with the Kroffts, Billie Hayes (who played Witchiepoo), Jack Wild (looking eerily like Gollum), and historian Hal Erickson, who knows way too much about TV. In addition, the set features an astounding 1957 pilot for a proposed Krofft marionette show called Irving. Recommended for larger collections with substantial TV time capsule holdings. (D. Liebenson)