In the late 60s and early 70s, the sibling team of Sid and Marty Krofft produced a number of strange yet imaginative children’s shows. These shows featured bizarre puppets and low-budget special effects. Their vivid and colorful programs (The Banana Splits, H.R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Lost) entertained young ones while at the same time, prompting parents to ask “Were the makers of these shows high when they made them?” Sigmund and the Sea Monsters is another fine example of the Krofft brothers’ zany style. The first season is now available on DVD and perhaps you too will ask that very same question.
The story of Sigmund and the Sea Monsters focuses on two brothers, Johnny (Johnny Whitaker) and Scott Stuart (Scott C. Kolden). They come across a friendly sea monster named Sigmund (Billy Barty) who has been kicked out of his undersea home because he has failed to frighten people. The two brothers then decide to hide Sigmund in their clubhouse and hijinks and adventures occur from then on.
The Krofft brothers have certainly crafted a very unusual program here. Though, they have denied using Marijuana and LSD while producing their shows, I personally have my doubts. The colors are bright and the character costumes are silly. The entire production is filled to the brim with pure unadulterated wackiness. If you have children, I would think twice before exposing them to this well-meaning madness.
DVD Bonus Features
The bonus features for Sigmund and the Sea Monsters: Season One are pretty good. There is an exclusive look at the H.R. Pufnstuf American Cinematheque event in Los Angeles on November 20, 2010. There are audio commentaries with actors Johnny Whitaker and Scott C. Kolden and lastly, there is a downloadable folder of MP3s for all of Johnny’s songs.
"Sigmund and the Sea Monsters: Season One" is on sale September 6, 2011 and is not rated. Children & Family, Fantasy, Television. Directed by Richard Dunlap, Bob Lally, Dick Darley, Murray Golden. Written by John Fenton Murray, Rita Sedran Rose, Jack Raymond, Warren S. Murray, Fred S. Fox, Seaman Jacobs. Starring Mary Wickes, Johnny Whitaker, Scott C Kolden, Billy Barty.
