Magic is an ancient and mysterious practice that has captivated humans for centuries. The act of magic involves using supernatural or occult forces to manipulate the natural world and achieve extraordinary feats. It is often associated with magicians and illusionists who perform mind-boggling tricks and illusions. One of the key elements of magic is illusion. Magicians have the ability to deceive our senses and make us believe in the impossible. They can make objects disappear, levitate, or even saw someone in half, all while maintaining an air of mystery and wonder.
This is one of the very best episodes of H.R. Pufnstuf. It’s the one where “The Three Oranges” sing “Oranges Schmoranges,” which is wonderful, and the one where Witchiepoo threatens to turn Orson and Seymour into “centipedes with bad teeth,” which makes me laugh every time I hear it. It introduces Ludicrous Lion, his Polka-Dotted Pantomime Horse, and Living Island’s resident rock band, The Boyds.
Born and raised in Illinois, Hayes continued to work in children s television for decades, into her 90s, as recently as 2016, when she voiced a character on Transformers Rescue Bots. And from the cold light of adulthood, it s so minor, just Billie Hayes dipping the inanimate Freddy prop into some water with some dry ice pellets or something in it, but credit Joan Gerber s voice work for Freddy panicking and begging for help, I guess, because this kid just lost it completely, crying sadly for the poor flute.
They can make objects disappear, levitate, or even saw someone in half, all while maintaining an air of mystery and wonder. The art of illusion requires a deep understanding of human psychology and the ability to manipulate perception. Magic is not just limited to stage performances, however.
HR Puff n Stuff
This classic series premiered on Australian television on September 6th, 1969. Created by Sid & Marty Croft, it continued throughout the 80’s & mesmerised an entire generation with its extraordinary “living cartoons.”
Puff, Jimmy & Freddy
This show captured the imagination of a generation with surreal stories, hypnotic colours, and a maddening mix of real life and master puppetry. This story of a boy, his magic flute, a witch, and the giant Puff n Stuff, the friendly Mayor of Living Island. Stories usually revolved around Witchiepoo (Billy Hayes) and her henchman hatching various plots against the young Jimmy (Jack Wild) in an effort to steal his Magical Flute Freddy (voice of Joan Gerber) as Puff n stuff and friends help foil her attempts.
It began with Jimmy, a young English boy (Jack Wild of Oliver fame), playing near the edge of a river with his magical talking gold flute, Freddie (or “Fweddie”, as Jimmy called him). Whilst at the edge of a river Jimmy climbs aboard a boat that becko ns to him.
The evil Witchiepoo
As it drifts out to sea an evil witch named “Witchiepoo” (seekin g Freddie to add to her collecti on of magical possessions), casts a spell and makes the boat turn into an evil boat which attacks Jimmy (who then jumps overboard to save himself).
Swimming to the shore of Living Island, Jimmy is rescued by its mayor, HR Puff n stuff and his Rescue Ranger crew (Kling and Klang) before Witchiepoo can get her hands on the boy or the magic flute. They befriend Jimmy, sheltering and protecting him from the kooky old witch. Everything on Living Island is alive. Books have faces, houses sneeze and trees can talk, not to mention the regular citizens who all look like an animal of some sort. Dr B linky is an Owl, Ludicrous a Lion and Judy Frog. And then there is the evil Witchiepoo (played by the great Billie Hayes).
She continually tries to satisfy her obsession for the talking flute with the aid of her goofy henchmen Orson, Seymore, Dumb and Stupid and her motorized broomstick, called the Vroom Broom. Each episode involves Jimmy attempting to escape from the island with the help of Puff n stuff and his friends, with flute intact of course.
This was another of my all time favourite shows. I used to rush home from school to watch even though Witchiepoo & her squealing voice absolutely terrified me! I knew the theme tune word for word & used to go round the house singing it. Whilst creating this website & finding the theme tune again, I hadn’t forgotten a word!
Watch the original Puff n Stuff theme tune
Comments are closed.
Recent Posts
- Desert Boots
- Louie the Fly
- Roneo Machines
- Clackers
- Hopscotch
- Cod Liver Oil, yuk!
- Frozen Sunny Boys, Glugs & Razz
- Fags Lollies
- Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs
- Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
- Progressive Dinners
- Flared Jeans
- Desert Boots
- Mum’s Chocolate Cake
- Mum’s Chow Mein
- ‘Killer’ Roller Skates
- Chicken Divan
- Jelly Whip
- Swap Cards
- The old Bata Shoe (Frankston)
It began with Jimmy, a young English boy (Jack Wild of Oliver fame), playing near the edge of a river with his magical talking gold flute, Freddie (or “Fweddie”, as Jimmy called him). Whilst at the edge of a river Jimmy climbs aboard a boat that becko ns to him.
It is also a part of many cultural and religious rituals. Shamans and witch doctors, for example, use magic to heal the sick or communicate with the spirits. In these contexts, magic is seen as a powerful tool that can bring about supernatural interventions and create harmony between the physical and spiritual realms. In addition to illusion and ritual, magic is often associated with spells and incantations. These are specific words or phrases that are believed to have mystical powers. By reciting these spells, practitioners can harness supernatural forces and achieve their desired outcomes. Spells can be used for various purposes, such as love, protection, or success. It is important to note that while magic may seem fantastical and otherworldly, it is not without controversy. In some religions and cultures, magic is considered taboo or even sinful. It is often seen as a form of cheating or manipulation, rather than a genuine expression of supernatural power. As a result, practitioners of magic may face skepticism, skepticism, or even persecution. Despite these challenges, magic continues to intrigue and fascinate people worldwide. Whether it is an entertaining stage show or a deeply spiritual practice, the act of magic reminds us of the wonder and mystery that exists in the world. It challenges our perceptions of what is possible and invites us to question the nature of reality. In this way, magic serves as a reminder that there is still much we do not understand about the universe and ourselves..
Reviews for "The Politics of Magic: How Magicians Use Their Art for Social Commentary"
1. Lisa - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Act of Magic". The premise seemed interesting, but the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was slow, and I struggled to connect with the characters. Additionally, the writing felt choppy and lacked depth. Overall, I found it hard to stay engaged and ended up not enjoying this book as much as I had hoped.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "Act of Magic" was a major letdown for me. The plot was predictable and unoriginal, and I felt like I had seen it all before. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. The dialogue was clunky and unrealistic, making it hard for me to immerse myself in the story. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh and engaging fantasy read.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I couldn't get into "Act of Magic" at all. The world-building felt sparse and underdeveloped, leaving me with a lot of unanswered questions. The magical system was poorly explained, and I found it hard to suspend my disbelief. The conflict and resolution were both predictable, and I didn't feel any real tension or excitement. Overall, I found this book lacking in originality and depth, and it failed to capture my interest.
4. Robert - 1/5 stars - I found "Act of Magic" to be a tedious read. The pacing was sluggish, and the story seemed to drag on without any real purpose. The characters were bland and forgettable, and I didn't feel invested in their journeys. The writing style was dry and lacked the spark that keeps me engaged in a book. Overall, I was disappointed with this novel and wouldn't recommend it to others who are looking for a captivating fantasy read.