KROFFT.NET » Doctor Shrinker

Marty Krofft Agrees – “Don’t mess with what worked”

xgdfalcon — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:11:54 +0000

When I went to see Where The Wild Things Are I couldn’t help but be reminded of Pufnstuf. Part of me wished that the Kroffts had gotten Puf out first, while another part was glad the Sid and Marty could hopefully learn from the mistakes of Wild. In an article at NY Daily News, Marty expresses:

” ‘Wild Things’ is very, very good for us,” says Marty Krofft. “We always wanted to do low-tech costumes and high-tech heads. But it’ll be a big difference in tone, of course — we’ll be bright, not dark.”

Also, this marks the first time (that I’m aware of) that Marty admits they went to far with Land of the Lost. That they strayed to far from the original.

“We went with comedy, which got it green-lit. But we didn’t know it was going to go so far in the PG-13 direction and so close to an R rating,” he says of the unfortunate flop. “Our characters are all likable, and we have so much goodwill from our fans. So, now we know: Don’t mess with what’s worked.”

I’m glad to see that he’s had this realization. When I met Marty Krofft this past summer, I really wanted to discuss this exact issue with him, but wasn’t sure he would have been receptive. You can’t turn a family-friendly story of a popular children’s show into a raunchy comedy and expect success. It’s like drinking a beer when you were expecting milk. Doesn’t matter how good the beer is, it’ll taste like crap. (even though in this case it was crap)

Also in the article, Marty discusses plans for Electra Woman and Doctor Shrinker. Both stories would have great appeal if handled properly. Especially EW with the rash of super hero movies at the box office.

Thanks to Shemp DeYoung for pointing me to the article. Please leave your comments below.

Krofft Kwikies – Dr. Shrinker “Slowly I Turn”

xgdfalcon — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:26:34 +0000

The online video series Krofft Kwikies presents another fun episode of Dr. Shrinker. In this video clip, the mad doctor un-shrinks little brother Gordie, but the super sized sibling forgets all the little people and where he came from.

Features the classic original theme music! You can watch more classic Krofft Kwikies on Myspace . com/Krofft and revisit Saturday Mornings any day of the week!

IO9 Tackles Krofft in Sci-Fi

xgdfalcon — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:58:29 +0000

Over at IO9.com there is a pretty good discussion of Krofft shows that touch the realm of Sci-Fi (and honestly, don’t they all). Here is an excerpt from the article:

Brothers Sid and Marty Krofft first came to fame with their touring puppet show “Les Poupées de Paris” in the 1970s which featured topless puppets, and puppet-on-puppet sex long before Avenue Q or Team America. They later made the move to television with the trippy H.R. Pufnstuf in 1969, which they swear was not drug influenced, nor was the Donny & Marie show, which they created as well. But here at io9, we’ll always remember their wacky-ass forays into science fiction. Find out everything you wanted to know about the Krofft scifi shows of yesteryear in today’s triviagasm.

They have an interesting take on some of the show that us loyal Krofft fans might not agree with, but it is a fun article. Also, there are fun facts sprinkled throughout the article. Go on over and check it out.

Krofft Characters Getting Attention

xgdfalcon — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:24:10 +0000

For years I’ve a Krofft Fan website called KROFFT.NET(currently under heavy rebuild), so I am a huge fan of the Brothers Krofft. Between the last 3 weeks of South Park and last weeks My Name Is Earl, the works of Sid and Marty Krofft have been getting allot of airplay.

Earl has used H. R. Pufnstuf in several episodes over the life of the series, but never have they used it to such an extent. Usually, Randy will make an offhand remark that winks at a Krofft show, or he’ll be watching one on television. When Randy decides to delve into creative writing, he create a world where him and Pufnstuf are a crime fighting duo. It was the most overt use of a Krofft creation in ages, and it was great to see…especially Randy’s Doctor Shrinker reference. I wonder how those over 40 and those under 30 reacted to the episode.

The last 3 episodes of South Park have had appearances by Pufnstuf and Witchepoo. When the boys ventured in the Imagination Land, the TiVo was paused to see the array of creatures that they chose to represent. Witchepoo and Pufnstuf were the only 2 I could pick out from Krofft, but it was enough that they were included. It would have been nice to see a Sigmund

So, anyone out there that didn’t grow up with Krofft? Let us hear what you think.

BILLY BARTY Dead at age 76

xgdfalcon — Mon, 25 Dec 2000 19:34:44 +0000

Billy Barty died December 23, 2000 of heart failure, age 76. Diminutive (3′10″ at his tallest) movie and TV actor who enjoyed a long career (over 70 years) playing everything from tough guy heavies to clowns to TV children show characters (including Sigmund the Sea Monster). He was memorable in 1976’s “Foul Play” portraying the helpless Bible salesman who’s literally hung out of a window by Goldie Hawn. In 1957, Mr. Barty helped found the The Little People of America, an organization concerned with the ethical treatment of people of small stature, and in 1976 he founded the Billy Barty Foundation.

REGULAR TV ROLES
As Billy Bitesize in Your Pet Parade (1951)
As a regular on Ford Festival (1951-1952)
As a regular on The Spike Jones Show (1954)
As Little Tom in Circus Boy (1957)
As a regular on Club Oasis (1958)
As Clang in H.R. Pufnstuf (1969-1971)
As Sparky the Firefly in The Bugaloos (1970-1972)
As Sigmund Ooze in Sigmund & the Sea Monsters (1973-1975)
As Hugo in “Dr. Shrinker” segment of The Krofft Supershow (1976-1977)
As a regular on The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour (1977)
As a regular on The Bay City Rollers Show (1978-1979)
As Inch in Ace Crawford, Private Eye (1983)
As voice of Dweedle in Wildfire (1986-1987)

Dr. Shrinker and Far Out Space Nuts added

xgdfalcon — Tue, 12 Jan 1999 19:12:09 +0000

Doctor Shrinker

Far Out Spacenuts