Hard to believe that it’s been forty years since “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” was released and yet… it has. And in case you didn’t know, the Secret Word for today is “Anniversary.” Do you know what to do when you hear the Secret Word?
While it baffled me when I first saw it, the film has become one of my favorites, thanks to Paul Reubens’ creativity and the ability to create one of the most memorable characters to grace both film and television.
Pee-Wee didn’t care what others thought about him. He carried his childish innocence into his adulthood, while gaining a bit of a naughty yet sweet quality that made him all the more endearing.
His house was just like the character; it appealed to both children and adults. Children wanted to play with all the toys and marveled at the incredible gadgets. Adults were taken in by the nostalgia and yearned to be able to play like a child just one more time…without being teased. Pee-Wee didn’t care; he did what he wanted to.
Who wouldn’t want fresh-squeezed orange juice from a dinosaur?
When it came to “road” movies, “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” ranks right at the top. Wanting his bike back, Pee travels all the way to the Alamo, hoping to fetch it based on a bum tip from a fortune-teller.
The movie’s big chase scene is through the Warner Brothers’ lot. What a hilarious treat to see Pee-Wee riding through the various film and video sets on his fully-loaded bike!
The final scene at the drive-through theatre really sells the magic of Pee-Wee. All of the diverse characters he has met along his journey have assembled to celebrate his film debut: a biker gang, a waitress who yearns to go to France, an escaped prisoner, and so many more. If Pee-Wee can get along with everyone, why can’t we?
If you haven’t seen the film yet, sit in your favorite over-stuffed chair and do so tonight.
Many thanks to the late Paul Reubens for forty years of fun! Happy Anniversary - AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!
See more “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” photos at my main website.
6 comments:
SCREAM REAL LOUD
love Pee-Wee, love you
Paul Reubens wasn't appreciated enough while he was alive.
Awwww....thank you, Max! And thanks for the scream, too!
I'm hoping the appreciation continues and isn't just a temporary thing.
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