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Marty Krofft, one half of the legendary team behind H.R. Pufnstuf, Land of the Lost and so many more, has passed away at the age of 86. The cause of death was kidney failure.

Sid and Marty Krofft left an indelible mark on pop culture – despite their most famous works only really ever having a small selection of episodes to them: H.R. Pufnstuf had a mere 17, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters had 25 and Land of the Lost (a favorite here at JoBlo.com) had 43 across three seasons, their highest. Still, their works, which often felt like fever dreams and acid trips, remain some of the most visually arresting and – whether they ever fully realized or not – drug-friendly works of their generation. Sid and Marty Krofft, too, remained faithful to their creations as they were adapted for different generations, serving as producers on the Will Ferrell-starring Land of the Lost...

Marty Krofft, the puppeteer and producer behind popular Saturday morning shows like H.R. Pufnstuf, passed away at 86 from kidney failure. H.R. Pufnstuf was a hit for its colorful palette, crazy puppets, and elaborate sets. Despite the closure of their amusement park, The World of Sid and Marty Krofft, the brothers continued to produce shows and movies, including reboots of their classics like Land of the Lost and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters.

If the world looks a bit less colorful lately, it might be because of the upcoming winter, but it might also be because of Marty Krofft’s passing. According to Variety, Krofft passed away in his California home from kidney failure. He was 86.

Marty, and his brother Sid, were the kings of Saturday mornings to children throughout the 1970’s. The two started out as puppeteers, but ended up getting a big break by designing The Banana Splits for Hanna-Barbera.

Marty Krofft, who with his brother Sid Krofft created a vast world of children’s television programming, died on Saturday of kidney failure. He was 86.

Often referred to as “The King of Saturday Mornings,” Krofft died in Los Angeles surrounded by family and friends, his publicist reports.

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Marty and his brother Sid, through their Sid & Marty Pictures shingle, produced family entertainment for more than 50 years, after becomin a household...

Marty Krofft, producer of shows like H.R. Pufnstuf, The Brady Bunch Hour, The Banana Splits and Land of the Lost, has died. He was 86.

Krofft, who produced many classic shows for children alongside his older brother Sid, died of kidney failure on Saturday in Los Angeles, his family announced.

After working on The Banana Splits, Krofft and his brother Sid, went on to create Saturday morning television programming geared toward kids. In 1969, the Krofft brothers began producing H.R. Pufnstuf which followed other shows like The Bugaloos (1970), Lidsville (1971), Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973) and Land of the Lost (1974).

Other shows that Krofft produced alongside his brother included Far Out Space Nuts (1975), The Lost Saucer (1975), Donny & Marie (1976), The Krofft Supershow (1976), The Brady Bunch Hour (1977), Pink Lady and Jeff (1980), Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters (1980), Pryor’s Place (1984), D.C. Follies (1987), Land of the Lost (1991), Mutt & Stuff (2015) and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters...

Marty Krofft, the savvy businessman who partnered with his older brother Sid to amass an entertainment empire fueled by such mind-blowing kids TV shows as The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, H.R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Lost, died Saturday. He was 86.

Eight years younger than Sid, Marty Krofft died Saturday in Los Angeles of kidney failure, his family announced.

“There’s nobody better on this planet,” Sid said of his brother in a 2000 interview for the Archive of American Television website. “I get a dream, and Marty gets it done.”

The pair already were well-known theatrical puppeteers when they were recruited in 1968 to design the costumes for the live-action portion of NBC’s The Banana Splits Adventure Hour.

Their four furry animal characters (Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper and Snorky), members of a rock band, were an instant hit on the Saturday morning show, which ran from Sept. 7, 1968, to Sept. 5, 1970 (and in...

Marty Krofft, who with his brother Sid produced memorable kids shows “H.R. Pufnstuf” and “Land of the Lost” — as well as the 2009 feature based on the latter — has died. He was 86.

Krofft died of kidney failure Saturday in Los Angeles, Calif., a family representative told Variety.

Often referred to as the King of Saturday Mornings, Krofft and his brother also produced a number of primetime variety shows, including “Donny and Marie” and “Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters.”

Sid and Marty Krofft began their careers producing children’s television with “H.R. Pufnstuf,” a live-action program about a boy (played by British actor Jack Wild) in a fantastic land with a dragon for a friend and a witch — Witchiepoo, played by Billie Hayes — for an enemy; as conceptualized, the show followed the interactions between human actors; actors in colorful, oversized costumes; and life-size puppets with enormous heads.

The Kroffts were proudly...

Tony Charmoli, a leading television and Broadway choreographer and director who won three Emmy Awards from the 1950s through 1970s and worked with stars from Mitzi Gaynor and Shirley MacLaine to the costumed characters of Sid & Marty Krofft’s Lidsville and, later, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce, died August 7 at his Hollywood Hills home. He was 99.

“My darling Tony, who passed away peacefully over the weekend, was a wonderful gift in my life, and in the lives of all who knew him,” Gaynor wrote in a tribute posted on Instagram. “He choreographed and directed all of my CBS TV specials, and virtually all of my stage shows and tours between 1973 and 2013. More than that, Tony was a warm and special presence in my life, and a good and true friend who knew my soul.”

Premiering as a Broadway dancer in 1947’s Dear Judas, Charmoli performed in two more productions – Make Mine Manhattan and Love Life,...

Bingo, Fleegle, Drooper and Snorky, the zany collective better known as The Banana Splits, are coming back with a vengeance — and with a body count?

As revivals go, this one may be as audacious as it is unexpected: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and Syfy are bringing back the Banana Splits, the trippy-dippy characters introduced back in 1968 as the anthropomorphic hosts of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour variety program. This time around, however, the Banana Splits are being served up in a horror thriller.

The original movie will premiere this year from Blue Ribbon Content, Warner Bros Television Group’s digital studio, via a Warner Bros. Home Entertainment release that will be followed by the television debut on Syfy. The official synopsis: “In the upcoming horror thriller, a boy named Harley and his family attend a taping of The Banana Splits TV show, which...

Sid and Marty Krofft have often said that, through their programming, they “messed with kids’ minds.” But that has proven not to be a negative thing, as their programs not only entertained but inspired future content creators.

“Instead of trying to capture grounded reality with their puppetry, [Sid and Marty] celebrated the absurd and embraced the cartoon sensibility,” says Dan Milano, creator of “Greg the Bunny,” who later worked with the Kroffts on a feature adaptation of “H.R. Pufnstuf.”

“They understand a child’s imagination and how fragmented and sweet — but with an edge of darkness — it can be.”

Milano discovered at an early age that it was entirely feasible to grow up and become a paid creator by watching Krofft productions.

“It made it so that I didn’t feel it was unusual at all that I would draw silly pictures, do silly voices, put on puppet shows, make them talk, and...

Legendary Digital Media and Fullscreen have partnered with YouTube phenoms Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart in an updated version of Sid & Marty Krofft‘s classic 70’s TV series Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, bringing the property to a new generation of viewers. Fullscreen will debut and exhibit Electra Woman and Dyna Girl in the U.S. with Legendary Television Distribution overseeing global distribution. Sid & Marty Krofft will executive produce the project.

The reboot will start internet superstars Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart as the seventies icons (shut up, this is my article). The series, comes on the heels of Helbig’s crossover from YouTube fame to television as the host of a late night talk show for E! which premieres in April. Both Helbig and Hart have large social media followings with a combined total of over 10 million subscribers and followers over all of their YouTube and social media platforms.

Sid and Marty Krofft with Amazon Studios head Roy Price and Sigmund the Sea Monster

From H.R. Pufnstuf to The Donnie and Marie Show to Pryor’s Place, many of the most colorful and memorable series of the 1970s and 1980s sprang from the imaginations of Sid and Marty Krofft. Their groundbreaking, live-action kids fantasy shows were mainstays of the Saturday morning airwaves, which had previously been the exclusive domain of cartoons.

Now the iconic television producers are working with Amazon Studios to develop a reimagined pilot of classic ‘70s children live action series Sigmund and the Sea Monsters.

“Sid and Marty are geniuses and we are honored to be working with them to bring to the world a return of what we believe is TV’s most fabulous and funniest sea creature ever,” said Roy Price, Vice President, Amazon Studios, in an announcement about the development deal with the Kroffts.

Amazon Studios today announced it has signed a development deal with iconic television producers Sid and Marty Krofft to develop a reimagined pilot of classic '70s children live action series Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. Here's what Amazon Studios Vice President Roy Price had to say in a statement.

"Sid and Marty are geniuses and we are honored to be working with them to bring to the world a return of what we believe is TV's most fabulous and funniest sea creature ever."

Marty Krofft also offered his own statement about the new Amazon Studios series.

"Sid found Sigmund swimming in the ocean as seaweed. Boy, are we lucky to re-create Sigmund and the Sea Monsters with Roy Price and Tara Sorensen at Amazon Studios."

Many of the most colorful and fondly remembered children's series of the 1970s and 1980s sprang from the imaginations of Sid and Marty Krofft.

Invest in foam rubber futures now, because Amazon Studios has inked a deal with Sid and Marty Krofft to “reimagine” their live-action 1970s kids show Sigmund and the Sea Monsters.

“Sid and Marty are geniuses,” Amazon Studios VP Roy Price said in announcing the pilot order, “and we are honored to be working with them to bring to the world a return of what we believe is TV’s most fabulous and funniest sea creature ever.”

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The Kroffts’ dominion over the Saturday morning TV airwaves/my young life began in...

All you poor young puppet/muppet deprived youngsters need to get educated. Now that Sid and Marty Krofft have the rights back to their own stuff new generations will finally be able to enjoy H.R.Pufnstuff, Sigmund and The Sea Monsters, The Bugaloos, and Lidsville. These were Saturday morning TV shows that mixed a human cast with giant felt characters and the corniest jokes you could imagine. The Kroffts also produced live action shows like Dr. Shrinker, Bigfoot and Wildboy, Electro Woman and Dyna Girl, Far Out Space Nuts and Wonderbug. While Land of the Lost has been available for some times, these other programs have been very hard to find. Anyone that grew up watching them will rejoice.  First airing in 1973 Sigmund and the Sea...

As H. R. Pufnstuf marks 40 years since the series ended its trailblazing run on Saturday mornings, Vivendi Entertainment honors the iconic Sid and Marty Krofft creation with H. R. Pufnstuf: The Complete Series. This three-dvd collection features all 17 episodes, which were originally broadcast between 1969 and 1971.

Presented in standard and collector’s editions, both versions include the entire series accompanied by downloadable vintage coloring sheets, and – for the first time ever on DVD – the rare series episode, “Horror Hotel.” In addition, the Collector’s Edition comes with an exclusive H.R. Pufnstuf bobblehead. Each will be available April 12 at all retail outlets for a suggested list price of $24.99 (standard) and $34.97 (collector’s).

Four decades have past since H. R. Pufnstuf left NBC airwaves, but the colorful series remains popular, not only among those reliving their childhood, but also with others discovering the whimsical world of Living Island for the first time.

DreamWorks Animation Skg, Inc. announced today that it will bring the well-loved Sid & Marty Krofft characters from the 1970′s television series Lidsville to the big screen in a feature film by the same name.

Conrad Vernon (Monsters vs. Aliens, Shrek 2) . animation veteran and lifelong fan of the Krofft’s work . brought the project to DreamWorks Animation. Brothers Sid & Marty Krofft will serve as executive producers. Vernon, DreamWorks Animation’s head of development Alex Schwartz and development executive Chris Kuser are overseeing the project at the studio.

“Sid and I have had a longstanding relationship with Jeffrey Katzenberg and we’re excited to bring Lidsville to DreamWorks Animation,” said Marty Krofft. “It’s incredible to envision a high-quality 3D animated movie being made out of one of our favorite shows.”

“The Krofft brothers helped define a generation with the wildly imaginative characters and worlds they created,” said Alex Schwartz, head of development for DreamWorks Animation.

By Sean O’Connell

Hollywoodnews.com: The Smurfs. The Muppets. Hits of yesterday continue to become the hopeful projects of today. And this morning, we’re learning of yet another buried treasure that’s being dusted off and rejuvenated for a modern, young audience.

DreamWorks Animation has said that it will bring “Lidsville,” a creation of legendary storytellers Sid & Marty Krofft, to the big screen in a feature film by the same name. “Lidsville” was a popular 1970’s television series about a teenage boy who did battle with wicked magician Horatio J. HooDoo in the mystical land of Lidsville, which existed inside the hat of Merlo the Magician. The Kroffts, meanwhile, also developed the popular programs “H.R. Pufnstuf” and “The Bugaloos.”

“Sid and I have had a longstanding relationship with Jeffrey Katzenberg and we’re excited to bring Lidsville to DreamWorks Animation,” said Marty Krofft. “It’s incredible to envision...

If you grew up in the 70's and 80's, you know who Sid and Marty Krofft are. Even most of the younger generations know a lot about them and their iconic characters. From the Press Release:

Sid And Marty Krofft’S Saturday Morning Hits

The DVD Spotlights the Duo’s Iconic Children’s Shows with Classic Episodes of H. R. Pufnstuf, The Bugaloos, Lidsville, Sigmund & the Sea Monsters

Sid and Marty Krofft changed Saturday mornings forever when the sibling puppeteers unleashed colorful characters like H.R. Pufnstuf and The Bugaloos on a generation of sugary-cereal-fueled kids growing up in the 1970s and ’80s.

After partnering with the Krofft’s earlier this year, Vivendi Entertainment is launching a series of DVD sets and compilations this fall that will spotlight the duo’s iconic catalog of children’s shows. The first DVD release, Sid & Marty Krofft’S Saturday Morning Hits, will be available...

You might not know the name Van Snowden. But if you’ve ever seen Pee-wee’s Playhouse, the Child’s Play series, or H.R. Pufnstuf, you know his work. As one of Hollywood’s foremost puppeteers, Snowden — who died of cancer at age 71 on Sept. 22 in Burbank — brought whimsical characters to life in three decades’ worth of movies and TV shows.

Born in San Francisco, Snowden’s Hollywood career launched when he donned the the famous dragon suit of H.R. Pufnstuff for the character’s 1970 feature film debut. He continued to work with children’s TV producers Sid and Marty Krofft...

Van Snowden, one of Hollywood's premier puppeteers, died Sept. 22 of cancer at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank. He was 71.

Snowden began with Sid and Marty Krofft, played H.R. Pufnstuf and appeared in almost every TV show the brothers produced. He did puppetry as Chucky in the "Child's Play" films and as the Crypt Keeper in the horror anthology "Tales From the Crypt" and served as the lead puppeteer on "Pee-wee's Playhouse."

"His talent equaled the talent of Jim Henson," Marty Krofft said. "He was one of the great puppeteers of all time. He touched just about every TV series and movie we've ever done."

Snowden shared an Emmy nomination in 1989 for his puppetry work on "D.C. Follies" in the category of outstanding performance in a variety or musical program. It was the first time in the 42-year history of the Primetime Emmys that puppeteers were so honored (he lost out...

American legends Sid and Marty Krofft changed Saturday mornings forever when the sibling puppeteers unleashed colorful characters like H.R. Pufnstuf and The Bugaloos on a generation of kids growing up in the 1970s and .80s. The Krofft brothers have been producing quality family entertainment for over 30 years. Sid & Marty became a household name in the .70s with a series of remarkable programs that featured elaborate sets and fanciful characters. H.R. Pufnstuf was the first in a long line of beloved programs created by the Kroffts, including The Bugaloos, Lidsville, Land Of The Lost, Far Out Space Nuts, Lost Saucer, The Krofft Supershow Hour, The Bay City Rollers Show, Wonderbug and Bigfoot & Wildboy. The...

The Saturday schedule for the 2010 Comic-Con at San Diego is now released. As was the case with the Thursday and Friday breakdown reports, I'm focusing on film/TV/DVD related events, screenings and panels.

Read the Thursday, July 22, 2010 schedule.

Read the Friday, July 23, 2010 schedule.

10:00-11:00 Nickelodeon Presents: The SpongeBob SquarePants Secret Formula Revealed!— Ever wonder what delicious ingredients go into making an episode of SpongeBob? The masterminds behind the show -- executive producer Paul Tibbitt (Nightmare Ned), head writer Steven Banks (The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius), creative director Vincent Waller (Ren & Stimpy), supervising storyboard director Tuck Tucker (Hey Arnold!), layout supervisor Kenny Pittenger (CatDog), storyboard director Luke Brookshier (Kim Possible), background painter Andy Clark (Dexter's Laboratory), animation director Andrew Overtoom (Family Guy), and the voice of SpongeBob himself, Tom Kenny -- show you how the kernel of an idea turns into a fully animated episode. Followed...

Hey Gang! Comic-Con International has unveiled the full schedule for Saturday July 24th! If you thought Thursday and Friday were insanely awesome and crazy, wait until you see what's planned for Saturday! There is a ton of great stuff going on that you're going to want to see! We've got all Marvel film panel with Thor, Captain America and The Avengers. There's also Green Lantern, Cowboys & Aliens, Sucker Punch, Harry Potter, Paul, and a ton of other great stuff! And if you aren't able to make it out to Comic-Con this year don't worry we got your back, and will be covering everything we possibly can. I've highlighted all the events we hope to cover. If you're going to comic-con we will be having a little meet up. The details for that will be revealed soon. Now check out the full schedule below and start planning out your Comic-Con geekdom.

H.R. Pufnstuf. The Bugaloos. Sigmund and the Sea Monster. Brothers Sid and Marty Krofft are bonafide showbiz legends, thanks to their flair for the bizarre and knack for creating a brand of hit shows that entertained generations of Saturday Morning TV-watchers throughout the '70s and '80s. This week, as the septuagenarians see their popular adventure series Land of the Lost adapted for the big screen by director Brad Silberling and star Will Ferrell -- both of whom have an obvious nostalgic love for the material -- Rt sat down with both Kroffts to learn not only what movies they love,...

Written by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub Many of you have no idea who Sid and Marty Krofft are. But to millions and millions of people, Sid and Marty Krofft are geniuses. That’s because these two brothers are the men responsible for a number of classic 70’s shows that still get watched to this day. Perhaps you’ve heard of a few of their shows…. H.R. Pufnstuf Land of the Lost Electra Woman and Dyna Girl Wonderbug The Bugaloos Sigmund and the Sea Monsters The Lost Saucer Lidsville The Banana Splits Adventure Hour So when I found out I was going to visit the set of “Land of the Lost” last June (here is my report) and Sid and Marty Krofft were going to be there and participate in interviews….needless to say, I was incredibly excited. While the shows they created aired before my time, I did watch them when...

Following Universal Studio’s big screen adaptation of Land of the Lost, the company has signed to do the same with another show created by Sid and Marty Krofft: Sigmund and the Sea Monsters.

The Kroffts will produce the new film, according to Variety, with Jimmy Miller. Dana Gould (The Simpsons) has been hired to write the new screenplay.

The original Sigmund, a kindly monster kicked out his home by his nastier brothers, ran Saturday mornings on NBC from 1973-1975. Sigmund was found by two boys who hid him in their clubhouse, somewhat reminiscent of DC’s beloved Stanley and His Monster. Sigmund was played by Billy Barty and his human protectors were played by Family Affair's Johnny Whitaker and Scott Kolden. The 29 epsidoes that aired over the two seasons featured character actors including Margaret Hamilton, Mary Wickes, and Rip Taylor.

The Kroffts, who cannily retained ownership of their shows,...

Los Angeles - July 10, 2008 – MySpace, the world’s most popular social network, today announced the launch of a new exclusive branded channel with Sid and Marty Krofft. Sid and Marty Krofft Pictures, creators of beloved children’s television shows throughout the 1970’s and ‘80’s (including “H.R. Pufnstuf,” “Land of the Lost,” “Sigmund and the Sea Monsters,” and “The Bugaloos,”) have made MySpaceTV their official social network and will populate the channel with full-length licensed content, “Krofft Kwikies” (short-form episodes of the original series) along with and highlight clips of favorite Krofft characters and moments. The videos will be viewable by going to the official profile http://www.myspace.com/krofft where Sid and Marty will also regularly communicate with fans through [...]...

1970s TV titans Sid and Marty Krofft are setting up shop on MySpaceTV.

All of their boob-tube classics, incuding "H.R. Pufnstuf," "Land of the Lost" and "The Bugaloos," will make their exclusive global home on the social-networking platform. The license extends to condensed versions of Krofft-produced TV episodes as well as taped messages from the Kroffts themselves.

Josh Brooks, vp of marketing at MySpace, sees the collaboration as an example of how the site will mine pop-culture nostalgia to build audiences.

"It's another example of how household names are making MySpace their home on the web and taking control and using the community on MySpace for new content options," he said.

In addition to the condensed "Kwikies," which run 3-5 minutes, the Kroffts are also making available highlight clips. MySpace subscribers will also make theme music from the shows available.

The Krofft branded channel can be found at MySpace.com/Krofft...