Release Dates: 9/2/25 & 9/9/25
Podcast: The Shermer High Alumni Association
🚲 About These Episodes
In this two-part nostalgia-fest, we dive into Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Tim Burton’s delightfully bizarre directorial debut. We revisit the eccentric world of Pee-wee Herman, played by the late Paul Reubens, and relive the movie’s unforgettable mix of surreal comedy, oddball charm, and scenes that scarred an entire generation (yes, Large Marge, we’re talking about you).
From Rube Goldberg breakfast machines to a Hollywood chase sequence, this movie is pure 80s magic — with a touch of absurdity that still feels fresh nearly four decades later.
🎬 What We Discuss
- Paul Reubens’ creation of Pee-wee Herman and his impact on comedy
- Dottie (E.G. Daily) as the ultimate ride-or-die friend
- The film’s legendary set pieces: Large Marge, the Alamo tour, the biker bar dance
- Tim Burton’s signature style emerging in his first feature film
- How the script was written by three first-timers following a screenwriting guide
- The soundtrack’s quirky, perfect fit for Pee-wee’s world
- The balance between childlike wonder and oddball darkness
- Why Pee-wee’s Big Adventure has earned its cult classic status
📽 Fun Facts
- Budget: $7 million | Domestic Box Office: $40.9 million
- Filming locations include Cabazon Dinosaurs, Glendale, Pomona, Santa Monica, and San Antonio, Texas
- E.G. Daily’s extensive voice acting career includes Rugrats, The Powerpuff Girls, and The Voice
- The film was written by Paul Reubens, Phil Hartman, and Michael Varhol — all first-time screenwriters
- The Alamo really doesn’t have a basement
🎧 Listen Now
Whether you first discovered Pee-wee on VHS or you’re just meeting him for the first time, this is a joyride worth taking. Grab your red bike, avoid suspicious clowns, and join us for the ultimate Pee-wee’s Big Adventure rewatch.
Join the conversation:
Subscribe, leave a review, and keep the nostalgia going in our Shermer High Alumni Association Discord.
Music:
Intro: Romantic Synthsound by Playsound
Outro: Retro Energy by Universfield
Sound Effects: Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay
