Once upon a time, in a hidden village in the heart of a vast forest, there lived a young boy named Silvewter. He was known for his bright silver hair and sparkling blue eyes, which made him stand out from the rest of the villagers. Silvewter was a curious and adventurous child, always seeking new knowledge and excitement. One day, while exploring the outskirts of the village, Silvewter stumbled upon a shimmering object hidden among the foliage. It was a small pebble, but it radiated an otherworldly glow, filling Silvewter with a sense of awe and wonder. He picked it up and felt an immediate surge of warmth and energy running through his veins.
A Broadway veteran by the time she reached national fame as the flute-stealing nemesis to a psychedelic dragon, Hayes had starred as Mammy Yokum in both the Broadway and film versions of the popular late-1950s musical Lil’ Abner. She’d made her Broadway debut in New Faces of 1956 along with an ensemble that included actress Maggie Smith.
Shubert, who was so taken with her comic and musical talents he cast her in principal roles of three roadshow operettas Student Prince, The Merry Widow and Blossom Time. Following a couple of guest appearances on episodic TV in 1967 including a Mammy Yokum-type matriarch in the Hillbilly Honeymoon episode of The Monkees Hayes endeared herself to a generation of glued-to-the-tube Saturday morning viewers in 1969 as the eccentrically costumed, ever-cackling and always bumbling Witchiepoo full name Wilhelmina W.
He picked it up and felt an immediate surge of warmth and energy running through his veins. Unbeknownst to Silvewter, this was no ordinary pebble. It was a magical pebble that possessed incredible powers.
Billie Hayes, Witchiepoo on ‘H.R. Pufnstuf,’ Dies at 96
Billie Hayes, who played the cackling Wilhelmina W. Witchiepoo on Sid and Marty Krofft’s H.R. Pufnstuf and the scrappy Mammy Yokum in the Broadway and big-screen versions of Li’l Abner, has died. She was 96.
Hayes died Thursday of natural causes at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, a family spokesperson said.
After starring as the evil protagonist on the 1969-70 kids program H.R. Pufnstuf, she reteamed with the Krofft brothers in 1971-72 on Lidsville, another Saturday morning show for children (she played the incompetent Weenie the Genie on that one).
The Kroffts reacted on Twitter to the news of her death:
More recently, Hayes served as a voice actor for The Black Cauldron (1985) and for such cartoons as Trollkins, The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries, Paw Paws, Darkwing Duck, The Brothers Flub and Transformers: Rescue Bots.
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Born on Aug. 5, 1924, in DuQuoin, Illinois, Hayes played in bandleader Vince Genovese’s orchestra while in high school, then toured with her own singing and dancing act throughout the Midwest.
After moving to New York, she auditioned for theater legend J.J. Shubert and was hired for principle roles in three roadshow operettas: Student Prince, The Merry Widow and Blossom Time.
Hayes made her Broadway debut in Leonard Sillman’s New Faces of 1956, then succeeded Charlotte Rae as Mammy Yokum in Li’l Abner. She played the bare-knuckle champion of Dogpatch for the remainder of its Broadway run through July 1958, then segued to the 1959 Paramount big-screen version that also starred Peter Palmer, Leslie Parrish, Stubby Kaye, Julie Newmar and Stella Stevens. (Hayes portrayed Mammy Yokum again in a 1971 ABC telefilm.)
In 1966, she toured with the national company of Hello, Dolly!, starring Betty Grable, and later appeared on such TV shows as The Monkees, Bewitched, Trapper John, M.D. and General Hospital.
Survivors include her niece, Nancy, and nephews Tom, Louie and Guy.
Donations in her memory can be made to the humane organization she founded: Pet Hope, P.O. Box 69493, West Hollywood CA 90048.
Wilhelmina Whack Witchiepoo (simply known as Witchiepoo) is a kooky old witch and the main antagonist of the 1969 TV series H.R. Pufnstuf. Her sole desire was to steal the magical talking flute named Freddy from the protagonist of the series Jimmy and his dragon friend named H.R. Pufnstuf. She has a vast arsenal of magical abilities and machines, and numerous minions of all types who aided in her plans to torment Living Island and its inhabitants.
As Silvewter started to experiment with the pebble, he discovered that it had the ability to grant his wishes. With a simple touch, the pebble could transform ordinary objects into magnificent creations. Silvewter was overjoyed with his newfound discovery and began using the pebble to bring happiness and goodness to the village. He would touch a barren patch of land, and it would bloom with vibrant flowers and lush greenery. With a gentle tap on a withered tree, it would regain its strength and bear fruits abundantly. The magic of the pebble helped Silvewter heal the sick, bring harmony among villagers, and protect the forest from harm. Word spread quickly about Silvewter's magical pebble, and people from all over the land flocked to witness its powers. However, Silvewter was careful not to misuse the pebble's abilities. He understood that its magic was a gift meant to be used for the greater good, not for selfish desires or personal gain. As the years went by, Silvewter grew older, but his heart remained pure and his connection to the pebble strong. He became a respected sage, using the pebble's magic to guide and inspire others. Many sought his advice, knowing that his wisdom was not only derived from his experiences but also from the magical pebble that never lost its power. Eventually, Silvewter made the decision to pass on the pebble to someone who showed the same reverence for its power and possessed the same desire to use it for the greater good. He held a gathering in the village and proclaimed that whoever could answer a riddle he posed would be deemed worthy of inheriting the magical pebble. After many unsuccessful attempts, a young girl named Lily stepped forward. She answered the riddle correctly and expressed her dedication to uphold the virtues of the pebble. Silvewter entrusted her with the magical pebble, and with a touch from Lily, it shimmered brightly in assurance. Silvewter's time as the keeper of the magic pebble had come to an end, but his legacy lived on through Lily and the countless lives they both touched with the pebble's extraordinary powers. The village thrived, and the forest flourished, forever grateful for the magical journey that began with the curious and adventurous Silvewter and the magic pebble..
Reviews for "Unveiling the Magic of Silvewter and the Mysterious Peablle"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Silverter and the Magic Peablle" to be quite disappointing. The plot was predictable and lackluster, leaving me uninterested in what would happen next. The characters were poorly developed and seemed one-dimensional, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Additionally, the writing style was clunky and filled with grammatical errors, which further distracted from the story. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I regret spending my time reading "Silverter and the Magic Peablle." The storyline was confusing and had too many unnecessary twists that did not contribute to the overall plot. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it a tedious read. Furthermore, the author's use of excessive descriptions became tiresome and I found myself skipping paragraphs just to get through the book. Overall, I did not enjoy this novel and would not suggest it to others.
3. Michael - 2 stars - "Silverter and the Magic Peablle" had an interesting concept, but it failed to deliver. The world-building was underdeveloped and left me with more questions than answers. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the characters. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to those seeking a captivating fantasy read.
4. Emily - 2 stars - The premise of "Silverter and the Magic Peablle" had potential, but it fell flat for me. The writing style lacked depth and sophistication, making it hard to get invested in the story. The characters were shallowly portrayed and their actions often felt unrealistic. Additionally, I found the plot to be predictable and lacking any real surprises. Overall, I did not find this book to be memorable or enjoyable, and I would not recommend it to others.
5. Daniel - 1 star - "Silverter and the Magic Peablle" was a huge disappointment. The plot was unoriginal and unexciting, lacking any real depth or originality. The characters were forgettable and their motivations were poorly explained. The writing was filled with cliches and the dialogue felt forced. Overall, I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.