Pee-wee's Big Adventure

Scot Turner's Blue Sky account alerts me to the fact this film debuted in theatres 40 years ago today. I do not remember seeing it in theatres. This was a VHS rental that I absolutely adored. I liked it so much, I still watch it periodically. I know I've watched it within the past six months.

If you've seen the most excellent HBO documentary Pee-wee as Himself, you learned the fascinating history of this film, and how a young Tim Burton came to direct. It was a surprise hit for Warner Bros., chock full of memorable lines I've been using ever since.

Here, for no particular reason other than it's a Saturday morning and I still have Pee-wee as Himself fresh in my mind, here are my ten favourite lines from Pee-wee's Big Adventure.

1. Pee-wee: There's a lotta things about me you don't know anything about, Dottie. Things you wouldn't understand. Things you couldn't understand. Things you shouldn't understand.
2. Pee-wee: That's my name, don't wear it out.
3. Pee-wee: You don't wanna get mixed up with a guy like me. I'm a loner, Dottie. A rebel. So long, Dott.
4. Pee-wee: Is this something you can share with the rest of us Amazing Larry?
5. Pee-wee: Paging Mr. Herman! Mr. Herman, you have a telephone call at the front desk!
6. Francis: Shut up, Pee-wee!
   Pee-wee: Why don't you make me?
   Francis: Why don't you make me?
   Pee-wee: Because. I don't make monkeys, I just train 'em.
7. Pee-wee: I know you are, but what am I?
8. Large Marge: Be sure and tell 'em Large Marge sent ya!
9. Pee-wee: I bought this pen exactly one hour before my bike was stolen. Why? What's the significance? I DON'T KNOW!
10. Pee-wee: Come on, Dottie. Let's go.
    Dottie: Let's go? Don't you wanna see the rest of the movie?
    Pee-wee: I don't have to see it, Dottie. I lived it.

Go see Pee-Wee's Big Adventure today, just don't slip and accidentally watch Big Top Pee-Wee. That one's not so good, Al.