September 8, 1973 (1973-09-08) – October 18, 1975 (1975-10-18)
Sigmund and the Sea Monsters is an American children's television series that ran from September 8, 1973, to October 18, 1975, produced by Sid and Marty Krofft and aired on Saturday mornings. It was syndicated by itself from December 1975 to June 1978 and later as part of the Krofft Superstars show from 1978 to 1985.[1]
The episodes included songs as part of the plot development. The character(s), generally Johnny, would sing a song about what he was thinking or feeling about something going on in his life, from things that made him happy to anxiety about girls.
While videotaping the first episode of Season Two, a hot light fell and started a fire. No one was injured, but the fire destroyed all of the sets and much of the costumes and other props. Most of Season Two was taped with minimal sets.[2]
Plot
The show centered on two brothers named Johnny and Scott Stuart. While playing on the beach near Dead Man's Point, the two of them discover a friendly young sea monster named Sigmund who had been thrown out by his comically dysfunctional undersea family for refusing to frighten people. The boys hide Sigmund in their clubhouse.[3]
Sigmund, Scott and Johnny in the program's 1973 premiere episode, 1973.
Plotlines were very simple and straightforward, usually some variation on the idea of Sigmund doing something silly to arouse attention, and the boys working to prevent him from being found by Sigmund's brothers Blurp and Slurp who want Sigmund to scare people in order to impress their parents Sweet Mama Ooze and Big Daddy Ooze. The brothers also worked to hide Sigmund from humans such as their overbearing housekeeper Zelda and Sheriff Chuck Bevans.
Characters
Main characters
Sigmund Ooze (performed by Billy Barty, voiced by Walker Edmiston) – A sea monster who was kicked out of his family for not being able to scare a human.
Johnny and Scott Stuart (portrayed by Johnny Whitaker and Scott Kolden) – Two brothers who discovered Sigmund when they were playing at the beach
Ooze Family
The Ooze Family are a family of sea monsters that live out at Dead Man's Point. They kicked Sigmund out after he would not scare a human. Most episodes would have them trying to harm Johnny and Scott to no avail. The Ooze Family consists of:
Sweet Mama Ooze (performed by Van Snowden, voiced by Sidney Miller) – The matriarch of the Ooze family. Sweet Mama's characterization was based loosely on Phyllis Diller.
Big Daddy Ooze (performed by Joe A. Giamalva and Sharon Baird, voiced by Walker Edmiston) – The patriarch of the Ooze family. Big Daddy was a spoof of Archie Bunker from All in the Family. In the sixth episode of the first season, he is identified as "Melvin Ooze" by a tax collector.
Blurp Ooze (performed by Larry Larsen, voiced by Walker Edmiston) – A brother of Sigmund.
Slurp Ooze (performed by Paul Gale, voiced by Walker Edmiston) – A brother of Sigmund. Slurp's voice characterization was based loosely on that of the fictional character Gomer Pyle.
Prince – The Ooze family's pet lobster who acts like the family dog.
Uncle Siggy Ooze (performed by Sharon Baird, voiced by Walker Edmiston) – An Uncle of Sigmund.
Zelda Marshall (portrayed by Mary Wickes) – The overbearing housekeeper who watches over Johnny and Scott.
Chuck Bevans (portrayed by Joe Higgins) – The local sheriff.
Gertrude Gooch (portrayed by Fran Ryan) – A housekeeper who replaced Zelda during the third season. Gertrude was a tough USMC drill instructor. The boys were relieved when Zelda returned.
Miss Eddels (portrayed by Margaret Hamilton) – The elderly neighbor of Johnny and Scott.
Sheldon (portrayed by Rip Taylor) – A magical "sea genie" who lives in a shell that debuted during the second season. Unfortunately, Sheldon was a bumbler and his "whammy" spells seldom worked properly.
Shelby (portrayed by Sparky Marcus) – A sea genie who is Sheldon's nephew.
Shelinor (portrayed by Peggy Mondo) – A sea genie who is Shelby's mother.
Dr. Cyclops (portrayed by Walker Edmiston)
H.R. Pufnstuf (voiced by Walker Edmiston)
Dr. Blinky (voiced by Walker Edmiston)
Ook (voiced by Walker Edmiston)
Unkunk (voiced by Walker Edmiston)
Music
The songs for the show were co-written by Danny Janssen, Bobby Hart and Wes Farrell.
Eleven songs from the show were released on Johnny Whitaker's album Friends (Music from the Television Series 'Sigmund and the Sea Monsters') (Chelsea Records, BCL1-0332).
All songs written by Danny Janssen and Bobby Hart, except where noted.
Side 1
"Friends" (Janssen, Hart, Farrell)
"Keep It a Secret"
"A Simple Song"
"The Magician"
"Monster Rock" (Janssen, Hart, Farrell)
"It's Up to You"
Side 2
"Can't Get You Off My Mind"
"Running 'Round in Circles"
"Lovin' Ain't Easy"
"Sigmund and the Sea Monsters"
"Day and Night"
Production
Sigmund and the Sea Monsters was the first Krofft Saturday morning production that was produced for more than one season. Previous entries H.R. Pufnstuf (1969), The Bugaloos (1970), and Lidsville (1971) were in production with new episodes for only a single season.[2]
Sigmund, however, did not follow the "stranger in a strange land" premise as many of the previous Krofft shows had done. Other Krofft shows that did not follow the premise were The Bugaloos, Bigfoot and Wildboy, Pryor's Place and Wonderbug.[2]
Costumes were created by Oliver Soublette.
One episode features an appearance by H.R. Pufnstuf and another that features Jack Wild (who played Jimmy on H.R. Pufnstuf).
The series was created and produced by Sid & Marty Krofft and Si Rose.
Episodes
Season 1 (1973)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
1
"The Monster Who Came to Dinner"
Richard Dunlap
Si Rose
September 8, 1973 (1973-09-08)
Johnny and Scott bring Sigmund home to live in their clubhouse.
2
"Puppy Love"
Richard Dunlap
Rita Sedran Rose
September 15, 1973 (1973-09-15)
Sigmund falls in love with a dog named Fluffy. Zelda cleans the clubhouse and Slurp tries to lure Sigmund home.
3
"Frankenstein Drops In"
Richard Dunlap
Si Rose
September 22, 1973 (1973-09-22)
Sigmund's family kidnaps Scott, so Johnny dresses up like Frankenstein's monster to save him.
4
"Is There a Doctor in the Cave?"
Richard Dunlap
Si Rose
September 29, 1973 (1973-09-29)
Johnny gets captured. The Wolfman makes a surprise appearance at the Ooze cave.
5
"Happy Birthdaze"
Richard Dunlap
John Fenton Murray
October 6, 1973 (1973-10-06)
Sigmund decides to surprise the boys by cleaning the house, but his brothers crash in.
6
"The Nasty Nephew"
Richard Dunlap
John Fenton Murray
October 13, 1973 (1973-10-13)
Zelda's obnoxious nephew Leroy stays the weekend.
7
"Monster Rock Festival"
Richard Dunlap
Si Rose
October 20, 1973 (1973-10-20)
Sigmund submits his song to a radio songwriting contest and wins.
8
"Ghoul School Days"
Richard Dunlap
Rita Sedran Rose
October 27, 1973 (1973-10-27)
Sigmund runs away because he feels like he's getting in the way. The Assistant Principal visits to discuss the boys' slipping grades.
9
"The Curfew Shall Ring Tonight"
Richard Dunlap
Jack Raymond
November 3, 1973 (1973-11-03)
Sigmund accidentally breaks Zelda's bowl and decides to get money from his family's cave to replace it, but he is caught after curfew by the sea monster sheriff.
10
"Sweet Mama Redecorates"
Richard Dunlap
Warren Murray
November 10, 1973 (1973-11-10)
Sweet Mama decides to redecorate the sea monster cave.
11
"Make Room for Big Daddy"
Richard Dunlap
Milt Rosen
November 17, 1973 (1973-11-17)
When Blurp and Slurp destroy the family Shellavision, they run away and move into the club house with Sigmund. Big Daddy chases them home, but elects to stay and watch the club house TV.
12
"It's Your Move"
Richard Dunlap
Donald A. Ramsey
November 24, 1973 (1973-11-24)
Sigmund's family evacuates the cave for a storm and Sigmund moves home to avoid Johnny and Scott's parents.
13
"Trick or Treat"
Richard Dunlap
Jack Raymond
December 1, 1973 (1973-12-01)
On Halloween, Sigmund discovers the joys of trick or treating. The Ooze family learns that Sigmund has won a TV contest.
14
"Uncle Siggy Swings"
Richard Dunlap
John Fenton Murray
December 8, 1973 (1973-12-08)
Sigmund's Uncle Siggy comes for a visit and falls for Zelda.
15
"The Dinosaur Show"
Richard Dunlap
Fred Fox and Seaman Jacobs
December 15, 1973 (1973-12-15)
After thawing out of the ice, a caveman named Ook and his pet dinosaur Unkunk move into the Ooze's cave that they used to live in and force them out.
16
"The Wild Weekend"
Richard Dunlap
John Fenton Murray
December 22, 1973 (1973-12-22)
Jack Wild spends the weekend with the boys. Prince runs away from home.
17
"Boy for a Day"
Richard Dunlap
John Fenton Murray (Story by: Rita Sedran Rose)
December 29, 1973 (1973-12-29)
Sigmund gets amnesia and thinks he's a human boy.
Season 2 (1974)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
18
"A Genie for Sigmund"
Bob Lally
Si Rose
July 7, 1974 (1974-07-07)
Sigmund finds a genie named Sheldon in a sea shell.
19
"Paul Revere Rides Again"
Bob Lally
Si Rose
September 14, 1974 (1974-09-14)
Sheldon zaps Paul Revere into the club house to settle a dispute.
20
"Now You See 'Em, Now You Don't"
Bob Lally
Rita Sedran Rose
September 21, 1974 (1974-09-21)
Sheldon makes Johnny and Scott invisible.
21
"Johnny-O, the Great"
Bob Lally
Si Rose
September 28, 1974 (1974-09-28)
With Sheldon's help, Johnny performs a magic act.
22
"Super Sigmund"
Bob Lally
John Fenton Murray
October 5, 1974 (1974-10-05)
Sigmund has Sheldon give him super strength.
23
"Pufnstuf Drops In"
Bob Lally
Si Rose
October 12, 1974 (1974-10-12)
Sheldon accidentally zaps H.R. Pufnstuf into the club house.
Season 3 (1975)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
24
"Sheldon and the Nephew Sitters"
Dick Darley
Si Rose
September 6, 1975 (1975-09-06)
Aunt Zelda goes to care for her sick sister, leaving Gertrude in charge at the house. Sheldon has to babysit his magic nephew Shelby.
25
"One Way Whammy to Tahiti"
Dick Darley
Rita Sedran Rose
September 13, 1975 (1975-09-13)
Shelby sends Johnny and a girlfriend to Tahiti, but cannot bring them back.
26
"Cry Uncle"
Murray Golden
John Fenton Murray
September 20, 1975 (1975-09-20)
Sheldon finds himself in hot water with Gertrude when she discovers Shelby, whom she thinks is being neglected.
27
"The Haunted House"
Murray Golden
Fred S. Fox, Seaman Jacobs, Earle Doud, Chuck McCann
September 27, 1975 (1975-09-27)
While Zelda and the Sheriff are at the movies, the Oozes sneak into the house.
28
"Mother Makes Ten"
Murray Golden
Story by: Rita Sedran Rose / Teleplay by: Jack Raymond
October 4, 1975 (1975-10-04)
Shelby's mother takes care of Burp and Slurp.
29
"You Can't Beat a Magic Carpet"
Murray Golden
Fred S. Fox and Seaman Jacobs
October 10, 1975 (1975-10-10)
Shelby and Sigmund get lost on a magic carpet ride.
Home media
In the United States, the first season of the show was released on DVD in 2005 by Rhino Entertainment, featuring all 17 original broadcast episodes, uncut and digitally remastered. It was released again on September 6, 2011, from Vivendi Entertainment. Although there were plans for season two to be released on DVD, it was cancelled because of low sales. In Australia, the complete series was released in a region-free four-disk set by Beyond Home Entertainment.[4] However this set (along with both U.S. releases of season one) are now out of print and hard to find.
Reboot
In 2015 Sid and Marty Krofft announced that Amazon was partnering with them to create an updated version of Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. In June 2016, the pilot was released.[5] In late 2016, it was announced that the pilot was picked up for a first season. Production for the first season occurred over the first half of 2017. A teaser trailer was released at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con. In this version of the series, David Arquette plays Captain Barnabus who believes sea monsters are real and devotes his life to capturing them. Instead of living with a housekeeper, the boys are spending the summer at their aunt Maxine's with their cousin Robyn when they discover Sigmund. Seven episodes were released on October 13, 2017.[6] The rest of the cast consists of Solomon Stewart as Johnny, Kyle Harrison Breitkopf as Scott, Rebecca Bloom as Robyn, Eileen O'Connell as Aunt Maxine, Johnny Whitaker as Zach, Mark Povinelli as Sigmund, Drew Massey as the voice of Sigmund, Meegan Godfrey as Blurp, Michael Oosterom as the voice of Blurp, Dan Crespin as Slurp, Victor Yerrid as the voice of Slurp, Lexi Pearl as Mama, and Donna Kimball as the voice of Mama.
Episodes
Season 1 (2016–2017)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
1
"Pilot"
Jonathan Judge
Si Rose and Garrett Frawley and Brian Turner
June 17, 2016 (2016-06-17)
Johnny and Scotty bring Sigmund home to their clubhouse.
2
"Finding Sigmund"
Ron Oliver
Stephen Engel
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
Sigmund and the kids set out to find each other.
3
"Dibs"
Ron Oliver
Jeny Quine
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
The kids teach Sigmund about calling "dibs".
4
"Robyn Has a Gift"
Ron Oliver
Garrett Frawley
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
Robyn gives her mother Maxine a birthday present made by Sigmund.
5
"The Squid Stays in the Picture"
Ron Oliver
Brad Turner
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
Johnny and Scotty decide to recruit Sigmund to make a monster movie.
6
"Sigmund and the Sand Castle Contest"
Ron Oliver
Jeny Quine
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
Sigmund helps Johnny and Robyn win the annual sand castle contest.
7
"The Treasure of Sigmund's Madre"
Ron Oliver
Stephen Engel
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
Johnny and Scott bring Sigmund home to live in their clubhouse.
^Woolery, George W. (1985). Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981, Part II: Live, Film, and Tape Series. The Scarecrow Press. pp. 454–455. ISBN0-8108-1651-2.
