It’s the 35th anniversary of my first movie, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure!!!

/ by

On this day in 1985, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure opened across the United States in 829 movie theaters!! And the rest is history!!!

Here’s what I wrote about it on its 30th anniversary:  

The movie was written by me, Phil Hartman, and Michael Varhol, and directed by Tim Burton making his feature film directorial debut! Danny Elfman’s score, Tim’s direction, great performances by so many funny actors– I’m still very proud of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. I think it still holds up.

These days, I am working in post-production to complete the new Pee-wee movie, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday. The new movie was directed by John Lee and features a score by Mark Mothersbaugh. It’s also a road trip and is informed in many ways by the first film.

I have received so many compliments from fans of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, felt so much love and support from so many people over the last 30 years, it has truly been amazing and wonderfully overwhelming! To any fan reading this: THANK YOU!!!

Your pal,
Pee-wee Herman

p.s. Just for fun, here are some never-before-public photos from behind the scenes of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. They were included in a yearbook wrap gift I gave after filming ended. Prior to now, they had only been seen by the people who received the yearbook!! Enjoy!!

Tim-Burton-Pee-wee-Herman-Dottie-snakes

Director Tim Burton (holding snakes from the pet store fire scene) and me

Varhol-Pee-wee-Herman-Dottie

Me, first assistant director Rob Cohen, Tim Burton, and E.G. Daily (“Dottie”)

Pee-wee-30th-anniversary

The writers of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure: Phil Hartman, me, and  Michael Varhol

Pee-wees-Big-Adventure

Robert Cohen, Phil Hartman, Michael Varhol, me, and Tim Burton

EG-Daily-looking-through-the-camera

E.G. Daily looks through the camera

Tim Burton and Pee-wee Herman on PWBA

Lastly: Tim Burton and me, Pee-wee Herman