The character of Witchiepoo, also known as the Wizardry Witch, from the television show "H R Pufnstuf," is a popular and iconic figure in children's television. Played by actress Billie Hayes, Witchiepoo is the primary antagonist of the show. She is a wicked witch who is constantly scheming to capture the main protagonist, Jimmy, and steal his magical talking flute named Freddy. Witchiepoo is portrayed as a comical and bumbling villain, but her desire for power and control is evident throughout the series. One of the main aspects that make Witchiepoo memorable is her unique and eccentric appearance. She is constantly seen wearing a flamboyant and outlandish wardrobe, complete with a large cone-shaped hat and a black dress adorned with spider webs and other spooky motifs.
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.
She is constantly seen wearing a flamboyant and outlandish wardrobe, complete with a large cone-shaped hat and a black dress adorned with spider webs and other spooky motifs. Her bright orange hair and green skin further contribute to her distinct look. Witchiepoo is often accompanied by her two henchmen, Orson and Seymour, who assist her in her various attempts to capture Jimmy and his magical flute.
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.
Despite her comedic portrayal, Witchiepoo exhibits a strong determination and cunning. She is willing to go to great lengths to achieve her goals and is not easily deterred. This persistence is emphasized throughout the show as Witchiepoo often comes up with elaborate plans and uses various tricks and magic spells to try and outsmart the other characters. However, her schemes are rarely successful, and she is usually foiled by the resourcefulness and magic of Jimmy and his friends, including the living golden flautophone named Freddy. In addition to her quest for power, Witchiepoo also displays a desire for fame and popularity. She is constantly seeking validation and recognition from others, attempting to prove herself as the most powerful witch in the magical world. This need for approval often leads to her making impulsive decisions and disregarding the consequences. Overall, the character of Witchiepoo, or the Wizardry Witch, from "H R Pufnstuf" remains a beloved and unforgettable figure in children's television. Her unique appearance, comedic antics, and quest for power make her an entertaining and iconic villain. Despite her constant failures, Witchiepoo's determination and desire for recognition make her a memorable character in the realm of television wizardry..
Reviews for "The Wizardry Witch vs. H R Pufnstuf: A Battle for Control of Living Island"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Wizardry witch from h r pufnstuf". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. The special effects were outdated and cheesy, making it difficult to take the movie seriously. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster and forgettable film that didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Mike - 1 star - "Wizardry witch from h r pufnstuf" was a complete waste of time. The acting was terrible, the dialogue was cringe-worthy, and the storyline was just plain ridiculous. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and found myself rolling my eyes throughout the entire movie. It felt like a cheap attempt at cashing in on a popular franchise, and it failed miserably. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I tried my best to enjoy "Wizardry witch from h r pufnstuf", but it simply fell flat for me. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boredom punctuated by moments of confusion. The visuals were lackluster, and the storyline felt disjointed and difficult to follow. I appreciate the effort that went into creating this film, but unfortunately, it just didn't capture my attention or interest.