By Michael Lyons
In a 1986 episode of “At the Movies,” the weekly TV show of noted film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, they discussed films that they had dubbed “Guilty Pleasures.”
At the top of the list was “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.” As Roger Ebert gushed over the film, he said: “Pee Wee has created a fairy tale universe as consistent and fascinating as “Alice’s Wonderland,” or the world of the Hobbits in “The Lord of the Rings.”
And 35 years later, many feel the same way. How times have changed, “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” once considered a “guilty pleasure” that film critics had to begrudgingly admit that they enjoyed, has become beloved by several generations.
Released on August 9th, 1985, “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” not only launched a mainstream career for the titular star who, up to that point, had been a cult comedian, the film also introduced the world to the talent of Tim Burton, who would become one of movie’s most visionary directors.
The man-child character of Pee-Wee Herman was the brainchild of comedian Paul Reubens, who introduced him in stand up clubs and specials in the early ‘80’s. The growing success of the character prompted Warner Bros to commission a script for a full-length feature film centering on the character,
After several different ideas, Reubens and co-writers Michael Varhol and Phil Hartman (who would go on to his own success on “Saturday Night Live”) penned a story that fit the character of Pee-Wee perfectly. In the film, Pee-Wee goes on a cross-country search for his beloved bicycle, after it is stolen by his archnemesis, Francis (Mark Holton).
The whole adventure is set in a world that truly resembles a real-life cartoon, perfectly realized by director Burton. “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” marked the feature film debut for Burton, after a brief stint as a Disney animator and director of live-action short films like “Frankenweenie.”
Hallmarks of his future films like “Beetlejuice” (1988), “Batman” (1989) and “Edward Scissorhands” (1990) are seen in his debut with “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” as the film is a true, unique vision, taking place in a setting that seems to exist on the periphery of our real world. This is especially true in the early scenes of Pee-Wee’s house, with its detail and Rube Goldberg inventions (including one that serves Mr. T Cereal!)
This adds to the childlike, innocent tone of the story, and of the character, which is no doubt why both the character and the film have been embraced by all ages.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the film also includes scenes and dialogue that seem to be tailor-made for the multiple VHS and Cable viewings that would follow the film’s initial, theatrical release.
Pee-Wee’s encounter with “Large Marge,” the scene at The Alamo and, of course, the “Tequila” dance number (that song has never been the same) have all been seared into the memory of fans who can reference them at will.
Speaking of references, lines of dialogue from “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” are now endlessly quotable:
“I meant to do that.”
“You don’t want to get mixed up with a guy like me. I’m a loner, Dottie. A rebel.”
“Pee-Wee, listen to reason-“. (Pee-Wee places a hand to his ear) “Shhhh!, I’m listening to reason.”
The memorable list goes on and on and each one of them another reason why “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” is so fondly remembered on its 35th anniversary. Like so many well-crafted film comedies and fantasies, this film captures a sense of timeless whimsy, joy and fun.
For those through the years who have dismissed “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” as infantile and foolish, well fans would simply respond, in the words of Pee-Wee himself...
“I know you are, but what am I?”
Sources:
IMDb
“At the Movies”
Wikipedia
