After the success of his TV show, Paul Reuben’s decided to bring Pee Wee to the big screen. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure was not just Pee Wee’s first film, but Tim Burton’s first full length film as well.
Pee Wee’s House
The script called for Pee Wee’s house to be as unusual as he is. When they decided on a house in Pasadena, the house was still not unusual enough. The house was painted and decorated to appear very over-the-top. The house is no longer bright red, and the ornaments are gone, but the house itself is still recognizable.
Warner Bros. Studios
The film called for a number of scenes to take place in a Hollywood studio. As Warner Bros. was producing the movie, it was the natural choice for these scenes. You can see Pee Wee racing through a number of the soundstages on the property.
The Jungle
One of the most well-known scenes from the movie is when Pee Wee swings across a pond while on his bike. This scene was filmed in the Jungle area of Warner Bros. backlot. This area has a large pond which can be filled with water when needed for filming.
The Pet Store
The pet store featured in the film is also located on the WB lot. A corner shop located on the backlot was converted into the pet store to film these scenes. The facade has been changed numerous times over the years, and doesn’t much resemble the pet store in the movie.
If you want to visit, make sure you take the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. It is a great tour, and you can read about it here.
Cabazon Dinosaurs
The large dinosaurs in Cabazon, California, have been a roadside attraction since the 70s and have been featured in a number of films, including The Wizard. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure filmed several scenes with the dinosaurs, and also used the adjacent Wheel Inn Café as well. The café has closed recently, but there is now a Burger King on site.
You can visit the dinosaurs and take photos at no charge. If you want to climb the T-Rex and sit in the mouth like Pee Wee did, there is a cost for admission to the park.
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