WTF Happened to Pee-wee’s Big Adventure?

We remember the late Paul Reubens by going behind the scenes of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, directed by a young Tim Burton.

When it comes to the most successful directorial debuts of the 1980s, it’s hard not to think of Tim Burton and Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. While the zany cult-comedy bares Burton’s stylistic stamp, the brilliant conceit is really the brainchild of the late great Paul Reubens, a truly original comedian who recently passed away at the age of 70 following a secret six-year bout with cancer. For many who grew up in the 80s, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure remains a childhood touchstone and nostalgic celebration of the power of possibilities. After all, in addition to the story of a rebellious underdog triumphing in the end, the movie was written by a trio of comedians with zero experience and directed by a first-time filmmaker with a lot to prove and even more to lose. And yet, when it was released in the summer of 1985, the film became a massive commercial success at the box office and became so popular among the home video crowd that it spawned two feature film sequels and a spin-off TV show

Most importantly, the film launched Tim Burton’s professional filmmaking career and for better or worse, forever linked Reubens with his Pee-wee Herman persona. Perhaps a blessing and a curse, it’s time to honor Reubens’ lasting legacy with respect and adoration when we get to the bottom of Francis’ swimming pool and figure out WTF Happened to Pee-wee’s Big Adventure!

The film has the following synopsis: Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens), an eccentric child-like man, loves his red bicycle and will not sell it to his envious neighbor, Francis (Mark Holton). While Pee-wee visits his friend Dottie (Elizabeth Daily), the bike is stolen. Thinking his bike is at the Alamo, Pee-wee sets off on a trip, where he meets many remarkable people, including waitress Simone (Diane Salinger) and a motorcycle gang. Eventually, Pee-wee discovers that his bike is being used in a movie and tries to recover it.

About the Author

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Jake Dee is one of JoBlo’s most valued script writers, having written extensive, deep dives as a writer on WTF Happened to this Movie and it’s spin-off, WTF Really Happened to This Movie. In addition to video scripts, Jake has written news articles, movie reviews, book reviews, script reviews, set visits, Top 10 Lists (The Horror Ten Spot), Feature Articles The Test of Time and The Black Sheep, and more.