The Banana Splits are being turned into a horror film for some reason

"One banana, two banana, three banana… gore?"

The creations of Sid and Marty Krofft were wonderfully surreal and strange. Their minds gave television such oddities as a mushroom-shaped dragon name H.R. Pufnstuf and a giant talking football helmet named Rah-Rah. Their Saturday morning children's shows, from Lidsville to Land of the Lost, were trippy. 

So the idea of turning Sid and Marty Krofft characters into horror may not be that big of a leap. But it's still bizarre — as bizarre as magic talking flute name Freddie.

Warner Bros. and the Syfy network recently announced plans to reboot The Banana Splits. As a horror movie. According to Deadline, the made-for-TV slasher flick will air later this year.

Here's the official synopsis:

“A boy named Harley and his family attend a taping of The Banana Splits TV show, which is supposed to be a fun-filled birthday for young Harley and business as usual for Rebecca, the producer of the series. But things take an unexpected turn — and the body count quickly rises."

Who would have ever expected "Banana Splits" and "body count" to be used in the same pitch?

The Krofft brothers designed the characters — Fleegle (beagle), Bingo (gorilla), Drooper (lion) and Snorky (elephant) — for the 1968 live-action Hanna-Barbera series The Banana Splits. The refrain from its infectious theme song, "Tra La La," is likely still ringing in the ears of any kid who grew up in the era. The series ran for 31 episodes from 1968–70.

If this reboot does well, should we expect Attack of the Killer Bugaloos?

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13 Comments

Mark 56 months ago
Well, I got a preview copy of the movie, because someone out there thinks I am an "influencer." I thought maybe it would turn out to "subvert" the slasher clichés. But I was wrong.
http://markmcdermott.com/wp/blog/2019/08/movie-time-the-banana-splits/
Freya 62 months ago
This settles it. Our society is now officially too sick to survive.
EllisClevenger 62 months ago
I used to weep for humanity. Politics, man's inhumanity to his fellow man, etc.
Now, I read this article.
We are no longer doomed.
With this escapade, we passed that point.
"Oh, the humanity."
DawnGraham 62 months ago
All I can say is NO,NO,NO I will not defile my childhood memories of fun.
harlow1313 62 months ago
This sounds like high art made for and by the culturally elite.
MrsPhilHarris 62 months ago
Loved that show when I was a kid but why? Why do this?
OldTVfanatic 62 months ago
I’ve got only one word for this idea: WHY?!
cperrynaples OldTVfanatic 62 months ago
And I have the answer: MONEY! Creativity in Hollywood died a long time ago, and this is proof!
cperrynaples 62 months ago
First of all, the Banana Splits are Hanna Barbera, not Sid and Marty Krofft! Having said that, clearly HR Pufnstuf clearly would inspire a better horror movie!
H-B created the BS show, but it was Sid and Marty Krofft who designed both the BS characters costumes, and all of the set designs.
Barry22 62 months ago
Please, No.
I have this vision of Snorky's trunk becoming possessed by some sort of demonic presence. It ends up attacking and strangling people, having fangs/claw-like protrusions from his trunk, rending and slashing flesh, generally wreaking the proverbial screamfest/horror havoc on the Stephen King-like {Maine?}town/townsfolk.
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