Video - Rahan - Spirit of the Bear (2008) S01E01

And the unexpected surprises continue! Here is the first episode of the 2008 cartoon adaptation of Rahan and it is dubbed in English. It seems aimed at a more juvenile audience than the 80's series but it has fine qualities on its own terms. Check it out! 

Video - The He-Man & She-Ra Christmas Special

I don't know why I get a kick out of this Christmas special from 1985. I have never been a fan of the animated show in any incarnation and I find the misbegotten live action film from 1987 to be one of the worst cinematic experiences of my life (even though I've grown to enjoy watching it for all the things that should have worked). But this bizarre 45 minutes of stumbling around entertains me in the same way that footage of a poorly managed college stage production can. It's dumb but kind of soothing because you know its going to end in a sappy holiday themed way and no one will even come close to being hurt. But, much like the Flintstone Christmas stories, you have to wonder just how in the universe this season has a foothold in Eternia. 

The Bloody Pit #169 - Marc McCloud and Emails!

This is a bit of a hybrid episode of the show. We welcome as a guest the owner and ‘head man in charge’ of Orbit DVD in Ashville, NC – Mr. Marc McCloud! Troy and I have known Marc for decades and were surprised when he got in touch about his childhood trip to the Sid & Marty Krofft amusement part. He joins us to relate his recollections of that 1976 adventure and his subsequent fascination with lesser-known parks of the same kind. It makes for a lively stroll down memory lane and adds some detail to our Pufnstuf conversation from episode #167.

The show is bookended by email reactions to our PUFNSTUF show with regular correspondent Kurt’s Burning Man tale being a must-hear trip into unreality. Those Krofft creations are still able to conjure the most interesting flashbacks to a 1970’s childhood! Other emails include a list of favorite sword & sandal movies from one writer and a question about the level of detail we can now find in UHD and Blu-Ray discs. Is it always a good thing? We discuss that at length along with a few extra topics that branch off naturally. As you might realize, the show goes on much longer than I expected!

If you would like to add your voice to the next email show thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send your comments. Thank you for listening!

The Bloody Pit #167 - PUFNSTUF (1970)

 

For this very special episode five people have gathered to discuss an influential part of their childhood – H. R. Pufnstuf!  In particular we examine the movie that grew out of the children television show’s immense popularity – PUFNSTUF (1970). So, grab your magic flute and come to Living Island for an adventure you’ll never forget – no matter how hard you try. Wild, man!

I am joined by Beth, Troy Guinn, John Hudson and Steph to talk about the biggest hit of Sid & Marty Krofft’s many Saturday morning TV programs. Each of us relate our history with the various shows and what we thought of them as kids before diving into the specifics of the big screen version. We dig into the Krofft brothers’ background as puppet performers, their early successes on the stage and the genesis of Pufnstuf as a character. We take note of a fun Universal Horror related song from their early 1960’s adult puppet show and then turn things toward the amazing songs created for the film. We talk about the cast with Jack Wild’s place in the hearts of young girls becoming a subject of some amusement while Billie Hayes’ immortal Witchiepoo is lauded as the best reason to watch either the film or the television show. Favorite lines of dialog are quoted and we wonder aloud if some of the best bits were adlibbed by Miss Hayes or not. We also talk about Mama Cass Elliot’s excellent performance as Witch Hazel and single out her song as a highlight. This really is a delightful movie!

If you want to share your own memories of the old Sid & Marty Krofft shows thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. We hope you enjoy this slightly chaotic trip into Saturday mornings past. Thank you for listening!