‘Sigmund’ Resurrected for Feature Film
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, have enjoyed renewed interest. Their signature hit, H.R. Pufnstuff, is also in the works at Sony. The Kroftts told the trade they would love to see feature film versions of their other series, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, Lidsville, The Bugaloos, Dr. Shrinker, Bigfoot and Wildboy and Wonderbug.
I love how every site running this story is copying the same typo. There's only one "f" at the end of "Pufnstuf"Sid and Marty are consumate marketers. I remember doing an interview with Marty at Toy Fair the year the new Land of the Lost was on. He was telling me about how the LotL movie was minutes away from being signed, how it would address the idea that the Marshall's Land may not have been the same one, and a lot more. All just hot air, of course. Mark Millar probably took lessons from them.
I will definatly go see "Land of the Lost" this June. So glad that Sid & Marty Kroft have finally been able to reach agreement with a studio to finally make their tv shows creations from the 1960's and 1970's into motion picture masterpieces. I know they have tried for years to get H.R. Pufnstuf off the ground to no avail. Even Billie Hayes tried to help. Finally, Land of the Lost will open the door. I wonder if Spencer Milligan, Wesley Eure, Kathy Coleman will make an appearance? If they wanted to make a motion picture of H.R. Pufnstuf, Lidsville, The Bugaloos, and Sigmund and the Sea Monster, The Lost Saucer, that would be just fine with me. I would buy a movie ticket to see those motion pictures too. May Sid & Marty Kroft stay in perfect health always.
I really found that 'Freddie the flute' from HR Pufnstuff creepy as a little kid… still do… oohh… goose bumps… that rabbit motorcycle from Lidsville was kind of creepy too… come to think of it, all of Sid and Marty Kroft's shows creeped me out… why the H*ll did I watch them??
They all creeped me out too some worse then other. I was scared of the flute too LOL The Sea Monster was gross looking to me like an Octopus! I had night mares about the sleestacks…. For the off sets and cutting, those things seemed real to me at the time…I never cared for Liddsville.. Bugaloos I would have thought was a Brittish Import. However Martha Ray?? as Benita Bazarr Truly Bizarre………….