Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985)

Two Geeks and a GIT Classic Movie Reviews

On July 31st, 2023, Paul Reubens, better known as his character Pee-Wee Herman, lost his battle with cancer at the age of 70. In honor of this unique entertainer, we're inserting a pairing of two of his most notable performances on film into our line-up. First up, the character that would define his entire life... in his debut film! Directed by Tim Burton, in his first feature-length outing, and written by Reubens, Phil Hartman (yes, THAT Phil Hartman) and Michael Varhol, 1985's "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" follows the titular character and his amazing bicycle on an average day. But when Pee-Wee's bike is stolen, he turns consults a psychic who tells him his beloved bicyle is the basement of The Alamo! Saying goodbye to his friend, and the bike mechanic who kept his cycle in tip-top shape, Dottie (Elizabeth Daily), Pee-Wee sets off on a cross-country adventure to get his bike back! Unfortunately, his bike was actually stolen by local spoiled rich kid Francis Buxton (Mark Holton) and Pee-Wee's on a wild goose chase! But what happens along the way lets Pee-Wee make new friends, help people, and ultimately return home with his beloved bicycle, and a feature film! And the story features the major motion picture debut of composer Danny Elfman who scored the film!