Pee-wee's Big Adventure

(USA, 1985, 90 mins, 35mm)

Executive Producer: William E. McEuen
Producers: Richard Gilbert Abramson, Robert Shapiro
Screenwriters: Phil Hartman, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol
Cinematographer: Victor J. Kemper
Editor: Billy Weber
Cast: Paul Reubens, Elizabeth Daily, Mark Holton, Diane Salinger
Music: Danny Elfman

Pee-wee Herman lives in a perfect world of fuzzy bunny slippers, oversized cutlery, and all the wonderful things a wildly imaginative boy can dream up, most notably his cherry-red, white-striped, chrome-plated, practically magical bicycle. But when the bike is mysteriously stolen, Pee-wee is forced to go on a cross-country trek to find his most prized possession. Along the way, he encounters a host of charming, memorable characters, each on their own journey, each seeking out their missing piece.

Turning twenty-five this year, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure does more than stand the test of time. From the Technicolor sparkle of its visuals to the underlying sophistication of its emotional themes, it remains as engaging, delightful, and innovative today as it was when it first thrilled audiences. A rare collaborative effort that—get this—launched the careers of director Tim Burton, composer Danny Elfman, comedian Phil Hartman, and the unparalleled actor/writer/creator Paul Reubens, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure reinvented storytelling not just for the young, but the young at heart.

Maggie Mackay

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