15 Intriguing Tidbits About Pee-wee's Big Adventure

Though Pee-wee Herman embodies the spirit of eternal youth, the character has been a cultural icon for over 40 years, first introduced in 1977. His debut film, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, hit theaters in August 1985. Over the years, countless fans have wondered, "Does the Alamo really have a basement?" Surprisingly, the answer is yes! Dive into these captivating details about Pee-wee and his unforgettable journey.

1. Initially, Pee-wee's Big Adventure was planned as a reimagining of Pollyanna.

Initially, the writers envisioned a storyline inspired by the Disney classic Pollyanna. Pee-wee was to arrive in a new town, bringing a fresh outlook that would win over even the grumpiest residents by the film's conclusion.

2. The film's direction shifted after Warner Bros. gifted Paul Reubens a Schwinn bicycle.

On studio lots, it's common for cast and crew to use bicycles for quick commutes. Reubens was provided with a vintage 1940s Schwinn during his time at Warner Bros. while developing the script. His fondness for the bike led him to overhaul the original Pollyanna idea.

3. Pee-wee's Big Adventure draws inspiration from the classic film Bicycle Thieves.

Once the Pollyanna concept was abandoned, the script evolved into a “surreal reinterpretation” of the Italian Neorealist masterpiece Bicycle Thieves, an Oscar-honored film frequently featured on must-watch lists. However, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure has earned its own devoted following...

4. Pee-wee's Big Adventure secured a spot on Roger Ebert’s “Guilty Pleasures” list.

While Ebert never formally reviewed the film, he admitted in 1987 that it was among his personal Guilty Pleasure picks:

“The film transcends the antics of an eccentric character. Pee-wee has crafted a whimsical, self-contained universe as enchanting as Alice’s Wonderland or the Hobbits’ realm in The Lord of the Rings. Like The Wizard of Oz, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure offers a unique experience for children and adults alike, each appreciating it on entirely different levels.”

5. Paul Reubens insisted on hiring the then 26-year-old Tim Burton to direct Pee-wee's Big Adventure.

Despite having a roster of preferred directors, the studio selected someone outside Reubens’ list. Unwilling to compromise, Reubens stood his ground. A friend later recommended Tim Burton after seeing his short film Frankenweenie (which inspired the 2012 feature). Reubens reached out to Shelley Duvall, who starred in Burton’s film, and she endorsed the pairing. Reubens later described this as a pivotal moment in his career.

6. Pee-wee's Big Adventure marked the beginning of Tim Burton and Danny Elfman’s legendary partnership.

This film was a milestone for both Burton and Elfman. At the time, Elfman wasn’t widely known for film scores, but Burton admired his work with Oingo Boingo. Reubens was also familiar with Elfman’s music from Forbidden Zone. After discussing the project with Burton, Elfman left with a melody that would define the film’s iconic soundtrack.

“I recorded a demo on a four-track tape player, handling all the parts myself, and sent the cassette to him, never expecting a response,” Elfman shared with Entertainment Weekly in 2015. “That piece of music became the main title for Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and landed me the job. I was completely surprised.” This marked the start of a lasting collaboration and friendship.

7. Elizabeth Daily, also known as Dottie, is the voice behind Tommy Pickles.

Beyond her on-screen roles, Elizabeth Daily is a renowned voice actor. Recognized as Tommy Pickles in Rugrats and Buttercup in The Powerpuff Girls, she has also lent her voice to numerous characters in films like Wreck-It Ralph, Happy Feet, and countless others. She even appeared on season 5 of The Voice.

8. Tim Burton makes a brief appearance in Pee-wee's Big Adventure.

Tim Burton has a cameo role in Pee-wee's Big Adventure, which you can see here:

9. Warner Bros. found Pee-wee's Big Adventure to be unconventional.

Upon reviewing the final cut, the studio hesitated to invest heavily in Pee-wee's Big Adventure. Deeming it somewhat odd, they opted for a gradual, region-by-region release. When the film resonated with audiences despite limited exposure, Warner Bros. ramped up their promotional efforts. Ultimately, Pee-wee generated close to $41 million at the box office.

10. Phil Hartman collaborated on the screenplay for Pee-wee's Big Adventure.

Reubens and SNL icon Phil Hartman first conceptualized the Pee-wee character during their time with the Groundlings. HBO’s 1981 comedy special featuring Pee-wee paved the way for the 1985 film. Hartman remained Reubens’s creative collaborator, contributing to Pee-wee’s Playhouse and occasionally appearing as Kap’n Karl.

11. The iconic bicycle from Pee-wee's Big Adventure was auctioned on eBay in 2014.

While Pee-wee humorously valued his bike at “a hundred million, trillion, billion dollars” in the film, the actual eBay sale in 2014 fell short of that figure. However, it still fetched an impressive $36,600.

12. Over 10 bicycles were created for use in Pee-wee's Big Adventure.

If you missed the auction, don’t worry—there’s still a chance to own an authentic Pee-wee bike, as more than 10 were made for the movie. One was even exhibited at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh for a time.

13. The iconic “Pee-wee Dance” predates Pee-wee's Big Adventure.

Reubens first showcased the dance on The Gong Show in the late 1970s, but its origins trace back even further. He revealed that the dance was inspired by a risqué joke his father used to share: “The joke involved placing one thumb in your [Reubens gestures toward his backside] and the other in your mouth, then switching them.”

14. The concept for Pee-wee's Playhouse emerged during the Pee-wee's Big Adventure premiere.

CBS executives approached Reubens’s manager at the premiere, inquiring if Pee-wee would consider starring in a cartoon series. Reubens, however, envisioned a live-action format and proposed the idea instead.

“I reflected on how impactful children’s shows were during my own childhood and how they shaped me. The idea of creating a show that could positively influence kids was incredibly thrilling,” he explained. A year later, Pee-wee’s Playhouse made its debut.

15. The iconic Large Marge scene nearly didn’t make it into Pee-wee's Big Adventure.

Despite being one of the film’s most unforgettable moments, the scene was almost removed. “I nearly cut the best part before audiences could see it,” Burton revealed in Burton on Burton. “Special effects are often the first to be sacrificed.” IFC ranks the scene as #5 on their "25 Scariest Moments in Non-Horror Movies" list.