For its 35th birthday, the quirky cult classic Pee-wee's Big Adventure is traveling the U.S. on a multi-city tour with its creator, Paul Reubens.

As I write this, the Pee-wee's Big Adventure 35th Anniversary Tour with Paul Reubens is about halfway through its now (nearly) sold-out tour and, let me tell you, the fans are bringing it. From handmade costumes, signs, and crafts to decking out their dogs (or kids) and decorating their nails, the amount of creativity folks have been bringing has been incredible to see.

I saw the show in San Francisco a little over a week ago and it. was. FANTASTIC. I was buzzing for two days afterward.

The great:

-- Electric vibe. Our phones were locked in a pouch for the event (not a biggie), which made us all really present. You could practically see the crowd's anticipation in the air; -- I won't spoil the surprise but the special pre- and post- movie footage made my eighties-lovin' heart burst with joy; -- The film absolutely stands the test of time — no question. In some ways, it felt like I was seeing it for the first time, spotting things I had never noticed before; -- It was a real happening. Folks were yelling out lines, singing, and hissing (at antagonist Francis Buxton, of course). much like a screening of Rocky Horror; -- Some fans wore costumes inspired by characters in the Pee-wee universe, everything from Big Adventure to the Playhouse (more on that below); -- Fun selection of merch, including some adorable Big Adventure candy hearts; -- and last, but by no means least, the stories Paul told about the making of the film were terrific and inspiring! Read the rest

I was **this** many years old when I learned that Pee-wee Herman isn't the only on-screen character with a breakfast-making contraption. My sweetie Andy just re-watched the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and told me it also has a Rube Goldberg machine that makes breakfast! I didn't know about that one, so I looked it up. And there it was. Then I wondered if there were more... and there are!

First, let's start with Pee-wee's, which might be the best known one in pop culture (it even gets ripped off in an episode of Family Guy). To get his machine moving, he lights a candle (which in turn burns through a string). Just don't expect him to eat more than two bites of his elaborately made brekkie:

Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)

Same year. Doc Brown had a neglected one that burnt toast and served up Einstein's dog food in Back to the Future:

Back to the Future (1985)

Doc had a much better version for the third Back to the Future:

Back to the Future III (1990)

Casper the CGI ghost morphs his fist into an egg-scrambler and then a spatula as this film's mini breakfast machine is doing its thing:

Casper (1995)

Then there's this one. Robin Williams, playing Professor Philip Brainard in the late '90s flick Flubber, kicks his off by slamming a giant button found on his bedside table:

https://youtu.be/mEnoaD4BLhE?t=60 Flubber (1997)

Ok, now to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Dick Van Dyke plays Caractacus Potts, an inventor, widower, and father of two. Read the rest

The 35th anniversary of Pee-wee's Big Adventure is nigh. So, soon, you'll not only be able to see the 1985 hit film on the big screen, but you'll also get to hear never-before-shared stories about the movie from Pee-wee's creator, Paul Reubens. Yes, please, and thank you! Pee-wee's Big Adventure 35th Anniversary Tour with Paul Reubens is headed to 20 U.S. cities in early 2020.

Pee-wee Herman himself hipped me to this, dude.

Previously: Now you can send shout-outs from Paul Reubens, aka Pee-wee Herman, to people you know Read the rest

On a solo New York Comic Con panel this past Friday, Paul Reubens shared wonderful stories from his prolific career, prompted by questions from fans in the audience. One fan asked if Paul had any favorite moments working with Tim Burton, and that got him talking about how Pee-wee's Big Adventure became Burton's directorial debut (starts at 8:57). It's a long story, as he admits, but ultimately a real Hollywood fairytale. Shelley Duvall plays a part in the story, as does Maryedith Burrell. Sly Stallone plays a part too but may just now be finding out his influential role. As Paul tells it, back in the day, he offered Warner Bros. "150 to 200" names of working directors to choose from, they declined all but one. He was disappointed in their choice and stalled in the hopes of getting a better one.

"I had just worked like 10 years to get to the point where I'm sitting in Warner Bros. office with the presidents... and I have the opportunity to make a movie, and that's like the wrong director. That's not the right director. And I was completely inspired... and I don't think he knows to this day that he was such a strong inspiration... I was, at the time, completely inspired by Sylvester Stallone because, I'm not kidding, you probably... know this story, maybe some of you don't... Sylvester Stallone, when he made Rocky, very famously said 'no' to every single opportunity... that didn't include him starring in it.

The real menace in "Jurassic Park" wasn't a T-Rex or any other dinosaur. Turns out it was Pee-wee Herman! Enjoy Pixel Riot's meticulously rotoscoped mashup of "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" and "Jurassic Park," aka "Pee-wee's Jurassic Adventure." Absolute genius!

They write:

I wanted to see what would happen if I spliced Pee Wee into Jurassic Park. I think it works pretty well! I replaced almost 100% of the audio. I'll never rotoscope someone on a bike ever again...

(Pee-wee Herman) Read the rest