Magic Using Distraction Magic is an art form that has been captivating audiences for centuries. One of the key elements of a successful magic trick is distraction. Magicians use various techniques to divert the audience's attention away from what is really happening, creating an illusion of magic. Distraction plays a vital role in the success of a magic trick. By diverting the audience's attention, magicians can manipulate their perception and make the impossible seem possible. Through misdirection, they lead the audience to focus on one thing while the trick is happening elsewhere.
She also brought Witchiepoo back on H.R. Pufnstuf creators Sid and Marty Krofft's other shows, including The Banana Splits Adventure Hour and Lidsville. As part of the pantheon of great pop culture witches, Witchiepoo also appeared on the 1976 Paul Lynde Halloween Special in a sketch with The Wizard of Oz's Wicked Witch, Margaret Hamilton.
Offscreen, Hayes founded the Los Angeles-based animal rescue nonprofit organization Pet Hope, a cause she had championed since adopting a puppy abandoned in the basement of Broadway s St. Pufnstuf in 1970 led to yet another Krofft casting, this time in the dual role of Witchiepoo and the kindlier Weenie the Genie in Lidsville 1971-72 , with Charles Nelson Reilly taking the show s chief villain spot as magician Horatio J.
Through misdirection, they lead the audience to focus on one thing while the trick is happening elsewhere. There are different ways magicians use distraction to enhance their tricks. One common method is through the use of gestures and body movements.
Witch No. 10: Witchiepoo
As a kid, I was a big fan of the television show H.R. Pufnstuf. The show first aired in 1969, long before I was born, but in the early 1990s I owned a VHS cassette with two whole episodes on it. I remember watching those two episodes over and over again, marvelling at the technicolour world of Living Island: the talking trees, and the walking clocks, and the boy with his magic golden flute.
But none of that compared to Witchiepoo.
Of all the witches I’ve ever encountered, Witchiepoo was almost certainly the most formative. She’s a pantomime villain of the highest order, cackling her way through every scene, her tattered black cape flapping perfectly behind her. Most alarmingly, she can also teleport herself at will, and so can appear suddenly in any scene, her wicked wand pointed directly at “the good guys.” There were Witchiepoo moments that terrified me as a kid: particularly the moments when she would freeze Jimmy and his friends, laughing maniacally as her spell took hold.
But… Witchiepoo is also kind of funny. Her witchy servants, Orson Vulture and Seymour Spider, are always getting in her way, and so the scenes in the witch’s castle are always rife with slapstick hijinks. During the day the witch wears a pointy black hat and a ragged red dress, but during the night she wears a frilly pink nightgown and sets her hair in curlers. Plus, her evil plans are foiled so often that on occasion you even feel sorry for Witchiepoo.
Did I have my fear of witches before I met Witchiepoo? I’m not entirely sure. But because Witchiepoo made me laugh, she was the first witch I was able to keep on watching – no matter how nervous she sometimes made me feel.
Each episode of Pufnstuf unfolds in much the same way. Jimmy (an eleven-year-old boy) and Freddie (a magic talking flute) are trapped on Living Island; Pufnstuf (a plump yellow dragon) and his friends are looking for ways to help Jimmy and Freddie escape. But Witchiepoo covets Freddie, and so will always attempt to foil any escape attempts, so that she might steal Freddie for herself. Because everything on Living Island is alive, almost every character on the show is a puppet, or an actor in an extravagant costume; only Jimmy (played by Jack Wild) and Witchiepoo (played by Billie Hayes) are discernibly human.
But Witchiepoo is also a master of disguise. My favourite joke in the whole series starts in the episode “Show Biz Witch,” which sees Jimmy and Pufnstuf organising a concert for the residents of Living Island. Witchiepoo, Orson and Seymour decide to join the show, and so disguise themselves as “The 3 Oranges,” a groovy musical trio who only speak in cool 1960s lingo. They’re eventually found out, of course, which is all wryly amusing – but four episodes later, in “The Birthday Party,” Witchiepoo, Orson and Seymour again decide to disguise themselves as a band, so that they can infiltrate Jimmy’s birthday celebration. What do they call themselves? The 3 Lemons!
The relative success of the television series led to a 1970 film, simply titled Pufnstuf, which I watched for the first time just last week. The film turns the famous opening credits of the Pufnstuf television show into the entire first act, which was really quite interesting to watch, but it’s not much of a movie after that – more like a couple of episodes of the show stitched awkwardly together. There are also many more witches in the film, including a Boss Witch with a double-pointed hat, but the presence of a coven doesn’t really add much; Witchiepoo is far scarier when she’s the boss witch, rather than a simpering underling. The witches do get to sing a catchy song, but I’d only recommend the film to the show’s biggest fans.
Still, nothing can tarnish my memories of watching H.R. Pufnstuf on VHS: a show from the 1960s that reminds me of being a kid in the 1990s. Witchiepoo’s ridiculous schemes still make me giggle, just as her sudden appearances still make me flinch. She’s everything a witch should be, and – although I don’t want to call it early – she may just be my favourite witch of all time.
Now, how about that theme song!
Final Musings
— When I was little, my parents told me to eat my broccoli because it was Witchiepoo’s favourite vegetable. To this day, broccoli is still the vegetable that I like best.
— Billie Hayes played Witchiepoo a couple of times after Pufnstuf, including a guest spot on the show Lidsville, which was also made by Pufnstuf creators Sid and Marty Krofft. Lidsville is a show about a human boy trying to escape from a land of living hats; these escape attempts are often foiled by the evil magician who lives nearby. So… yeah.
— Billie Hayes also cameoed as a witch in the television show Bewitched. The witch there isn’t explicitly identified as Witchiepoo, but she does cackle in a rather familiar way.
— Witchiepoo has a couple of other henchmen that are well worth mentioning. Stupid Bat has his moments, but I love the evil trees (particularly the one who speaks like Bela Lugosi). Also brilliant are the two skeleton guards, who drop their shields and helmets and flee at the slightest sign of danger.
— The two episodes on my VHS cassette were “The Box Kite Caper” and “The Birthday Party.”
— I’m not sure who designed Witchiepoo’s costume, but I think they did some wonderful things with colour. The obligatory black hat and black cape are still present, but the outfit also introduces red and white (and even green) through the witch’s hair, dress, vest, face, and socks. It’s a striking design that works perfectly as a whole, and it’s probably done a lot for Witchiepoo’s memorability.
— A weird piece of Pufnstuf film trivia: Witchiepoo’s friend Witch Hazel is played by Cass Elliot, or Mama Cass, who is best known as a member of the band The Mamas & The Papas. This is doubly weird for me, because at the same age I was watching H.R. Pufnstuf, “California Dreamin’” was one of my favourite songs.
— Oh, I didn’t even mention the Vroom Broom! Quick, I’ll mention it now. Has there ever been a more souped-up broomstick? I think not.
— A boy named Jesse said he’d be looking out for this post. Hi, Jesse!
— Need a disguise? No worries; I’ll leave you with one of Witchiepoo’s very best spells:
“Squash and cabbage, turnips and peas, make three lemons out of us please!”
As a kid, I was a big fan of the television show H.R. Pufnstuf. The show first aired in 1969, long before I was born, but in the early 1990s I owned a VHS cassette with two whole episodes on it. I remember watching those two episodes over and over again, marvelling at the technicolour world of Living Island: the talking trees, and the walking clocks, and the boy with his magic golden flute.
By using exaggerated gestures and movements, magicians create a focal point for the audience's attention. While the audience fixates on the magician's hands or body, the secret moves and actions are happening elsewhere. Another technique used by magicians is verbal distraction. They engage the audience in conversation or storytelling, drawing their attention away from the trick itself. By creating a narrative or asking questions, the magician keeps the audience mentally occupied, leaving less room for them to analyze what is happening. Props and set design are also important tools for distraction in magic. Elaborate props and stage setups help create a visually captivating experience for the audience. The grandeur of the props serves as a distraction, diverting attention from the underlying mechanics of the trick. The magician's costume and attire also play a role in distraction. Bright and flashy costumes can capture the audience's attention and add an element of spectacle to the performance. By focusing on the magician's attire, the audience may not notice the subtle movements or sleight of hand that are integral to the trick. In conclusion, distraction is a vital component in the world of magic. Magicians use various techniques such as body movements, verbal distraction, props, and costumes to divert the audience's attention and create an illusion of magic. By skillfully manipulating the audience's focus, magicians are able to perform seemingly impossible feats that leave spectators in awe..
Reviews for "Unlocking the Secrets of Magic: The Power of Distraction Revealed"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I saw "Magic using distraction" expecting to be amazed and entertained, but I was left disappointed. The performances lacked originality and creativity, and instead relied heavily on typical magic tricks that I've seen countless times before. The distractions were also predictable and didn't add anything exciting to the overall experience. I left the show feeling underwhelmed and wishing I had chosen a different form of entertainment for the evening.
2. Mark - 1 star - I don't understand the hype around "Magic using distraction." The show felt disjointed and the transitions between tricks were jarring. The magician tried to create distractions, but they were poorly executed and didn't seem to serve any purpose. The tricks themselves were lackluster and didn't leave much of an impression. I would not recommend this show to anyone looking for a captivating and mind-blowing magic performance.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic using distraction," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The magic tricks were quite basic and didn't offer any wow factor. The distractions didn't contribute much to the overall performance and, at times, felt forced. I was hoping for a more immersive and engaging experience, but this show failed to deliver. Save your money and find a different magic show that offers more excitement and originality.