HR Puff and Stuff Witch is a character from the 1969 children's television show HR Puff and Stuff. The show followed the adventures of a young boy named Jimmy and his magical talking flute named Freddy as they landed on the enchanted Living Island. On the island, they encountered a variety of quirky characters, including the Witch. The Witch, also known as Witchiepoo, was the main antagonist of the show. She was a comedic and eccentric character with a distinctive look, complete with green skin, a pointy nose, and wild red hair. The Witch was constantly scheming to steal Freddy and use his powers for her own purposes.

Century-old shoe mystery solved: Footwear in walls meant to ward off evil spirits

Why was an old shoe hidden in a wall of Lougheed House? Mystery solved. It warded off evil. Calgary Herald archives.

The Witch was constantly scheming to steal Freddy and use his powers for her own purposes. She lived in a giant shoe-shaped house and had a bumbling sidekick named Orson the Vulture. Despite her villainous nature, the Witch often provided comic relief with her over-the-top antics and exaggerated expressions.

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Author, photojournalist and former Calgary Herald journalist David Bly wrote the following historical piece, looking back at a mysterious old shoe that was found inside the wall of Lougheed House. The story was first published in the Herald on March 24, 2006.

A shoe more than 100 years old sitting in a wall cavity in the Lougheed mansion reflects a centuries-old practice intended to keep out evil spirits.

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When workers involved in the restoration of the Lougheed mansion found a shoe in the wall several years ago, Trudy Cowan, then executive director of the Lougheed House Conservation Society, thought it had been hidden there by a child fearful of punishment.

The sandal-type shoe, made for a child of five or six, appears to have been cut with a knife. Because it was found in the outer wall of a children’s room, Cowan theorized that one of the young Lougheeds had damaged the shoe and had somehow hidden it in the wall.

“ It was just reasoned speculation, ” said Cowan, who retired at the end of 2005.

A couple of years after the shoe was found, Cowan was at a conference in Lunenberg, N.S., and visited an 18th-century house undergoing restoration. A wall was partly opened, and there on display was a child’s shoe that had been found in the wall.

“ That’s when I found out about concealment shoes, ” said Cowan.

An old shoe sits in a wall cavity in the restored Lougheed mansion. Found by workers during restoration, the shoe was placed there to ward off evil spirits, a superstition dating back hundreds of years. Photo by David Bly; Calgary Herald archives.

It’s part of a superstition going back hundreds of years, mainly in Europe. An article of clothing — the most common being a shoe — is placed in the wall near an opening such as a window, door or fireplace, to guard against intrusions by the devil or evil spirits.

The history of the practice is obscure — “ it’s not written in any builder’s manual, ” said Cowan — but some researchers have speculated the shoes or other garments may have been a substitute for human sacrifice, harking back to a time when humans were killed and placed in walls of buildings to give them strength .

The tradition seems to have originated in Europe, spread to Britain, and reached its peak in the 19th century.

The shoes placed in walls are always worn, and most are children’s shoes.

The Northampton Museum in England maintains an index of some 2,000 shoes. Most have been found in western Europe, but they have turned up in the U.S., mostly in New England, when old houses have undergone restoration.

Lorne Simpson, the architect who oversaw the restoration of the Lougheed House, said as far as he knows, the Lougheed shoe is the only one found in Calgary.

“ I’ve not run into one, ” said Simpson, who has been involved in many heritage restoration projects, “ and I’ve certainly opened up more historic buildings than anyone else. ”

He said it’s almost certain the shoe was placed by Scottish stonemasons who were building the Lougheed mansion, which was completed in 1891.

Cowan said the shoe was restored to its place in the wall in a brief ceremony attended by Lougheed House staff and members of the Lougheed family.

This is the back of the Lougheed Mansion as it was being restored in 2000. Calgary Herald archives. CAL

The Ruby Slippers Project

This is, possibly, the most prized pair of ruby slippers; they certainly are my personal favorite! They were originally found by Kent Warner, along with several of the other pairs already discussed, in the spring of 1970 (Thomas, 223), but unlike the others they are the pair he prized and “kept in his personal possession for more than a decade” (223). The slippers “are distinguished from other pairs of ruby slippers by their size – smaller than [all] others” (223) at 5B, with an ever so slightly higher heel, and sleeker toe. The shoes also “lack [the] orange felt on the soles of each shoe” (223) found on the front foundation of all other pairs.

(Image courtesy A&E Television Networks)

Rhys Thomas believes these attributes suggest “they are the pair of close-up or ‘insert’ s[l]ippers worn by Judy Garland when […] Dorothy taps her heels together three times” (223). While “Kent Warner certainly believed this[,]” it is not a sentiment I share. I strongly believe, and screen captures of the scene, along with details of the authentic shoes support, that the “no place like home” shoes are, in fact, not the “Witch’s Shoes.”

Physically, like all other screen-used pairs of ruby slippers, “the red faille uppers and heels [on this pair] are covered with hand-sequined georgette and the shoes are lined in white kid leather” (Thomas, 223). Unlike all other pairs of the slippers, the embossed label in the right shoe is heat stamped into the shoe in gold, rather than silver as found in the Smithsonian and Michael Shaw shoes. The label, like all others, “reads Innes Shoe Co. Los Angeles, Pasadena, Hollywood” (223). Each shoe “is inscribed on the lining [with] #7 Judy Garland, written in block-lettered black ink” (223), in what appears to be the same hand as the other pairs. While the Smithsonian and Michael Shaw pairs are both simply inscribed Judy Garland, the “Witch’s shoes” are the only pair of shoes to bare a number before Garland’s name. Its meaning is unknown. The “manufacturer’s number is written into the right shoe X 6802 5 [C] D 536” (223). The shoes “are in excellent condition”, which Thomas believes “suggest[s] little wear, if any” (223).

(Image: "The Wizard of Oz: The 50th Anniversary Pictorial History," pg 230)

According to Thomas, the shoes were found “by Kent Warner prior to the 1970 MGM auction” (223), in a place he alternatively called “an old soundstage, a barn, a place missing a roof,” “Ladies Character Wardrobe,” and “Mr. Culver’s Barn” (207). Regardless, Warner “spirited [them away] from the studio without the knowledge of the auctioneers” (223).

While “for years, few people knew of their existence” (Thomas, 223) Warner kept them “prominently displayed in [the corner of his] apartment” (94). There, “[t]hey were on a square pedestal, about [four and a half] feet tall, […] covered in a Lucite box, [on] a little plastic stand to elevate them” (94).

Kent Warner - with Judy Garland (Image courtesy A&E Television Networks)

Thomas has publically wondered, if, while in his possession, Warner didn’t alter “this pair of ruby slippers in any way. Did he find ‘circular suff marks’ on their soles, or put them there; were they really the seventh pair of slippers or did he write #7 Judy Garland in them?” Personally, I find the scuffmarks suspect, as I firmly believe this pair was not used in that sequence. The number is equally suspect, given its dissimilarity to other pairs.

(Image: Source Unknown)

Warner first “publically acknowledged possession of the slippers in 1977” (Thomas, 223), and “first attempt[ed] to sell them […] in December, 1980, when [he] offered [them] at a movie memorabilia auction held at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles” (223-24). Warner expected the shoes to sell for “as much $75,000. But, prudently, he set a $20,000 minimum. They didn’t sell” (“Treasure”). A year later, Warner again “consigned the shoes to public auction at Christie’s East, where they sold for $12,000 on October 21, 1981 to an anonymous buyer in northern California” (Thomas, 224). Eight years later, “[o]n August 9, 1988, the buyer [again] offered the shoes for sale at Christie’s” (224) “shortly after the sale of Roberta Bauman’s pair” (“Treasure”). Christie’s “arranged a private sale” (“Treasure”) which “matched sealed bids[,] and for $165,000 they were purchased by Philip Samuels of St. Louis, Missouri” (224).

(Image: Time Warner / Warner Bros.)

The Ruby Slippers Project

She would frequently break into song and dance numbers, showcasing her desire for the spotlight. However, her plans were always foiled by Jimmy and his friends, who were able to outsmart her with their resourcefulness and bravery. One of the most memorable aspects of the Witch's character was her iconic catchphrase, "Vroom, Vroom!" which she would shout while flying on her broomstick. This catchphrase became synonymous with the show and is still recognized by fans today. Overall, the HR Puff and Stuff Witch was a memorable and entertaining character in the world of children's television. Her quirky appearance, comedic nature, and constant pursuit of Freddy the magic flute made her a beloved, albeit mischievous, part of the show..

Reviews for "A Close Look at HR Puff and Stuff Witch's Role in Mental Health Representation for Kids"

1. John - 2/5 - I found "Hr puff and stuff witch" to be quite disappointing. The storyline lacked depth and the character development was poor. The animation was also subpar, making it hard to fully immerse myself in the world of the show. Additionally, the humor felt forced and failed to elicit genuine laughs. Overall, I was not entertained by this series and would not recommend it.

2. Sarah - 1/5 - I did not enjoy "Hr puff and stuff witch" at all. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, leaving me feeling bored and uninterested throughout. The characters were cliché and lacked any real substance. The animation seemed outdated and the voice acting was mediocre at best. Overall, I found this show to be a waste of my time and would not recommend it to others who are looking for a quality animated series.

3. David - 2/5 - "Hr puff and stuff witch" was not my cup of tea. The show lacked originality and failed to captivate me. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. The pacing was also slow, leaving me feeling bored and uninterested. While I appreciate the effort that went into creating this show, it simply did not resonate with me and I would not recommend it to others who are looking for an engaging and entertaining series.

HR Puff and Stuff Witch and the Power of Positive Influence: How the Character Inspired Viewers