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Big Top Pee-wee

  • 19881988
  • PGPG
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
5.0/10
9.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
Pee-wee Herman is now a small-town farmer with a fiancée, but when a traveling circus comes to town, he finds himself falling for the trapeze artist.
Play trailer2:19
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Adventure
  • Comedy
  • Romance

Pee-wee Herman is now a small-town farmer with a fiancée, but when a traveling circus comes to town, he finds himself falling for the trapeze artist.Pee-wee Herman is now a small-town farmer with a fiancée, but when a traveling circus comes to town, he finds himself falling for the trapeze artist.Pee-wee Herman is now a small-town farmer with a fiancée, but when a traveling circus comes to town, he finds himself falling for the trapeze artist.

IMDb RATING
5.0/10
9.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Randal Kleiser
  • Writers
    • Paul Reubens
    • George McGrath
  • Stars
    • Paul Reubens
    • Penelope Ann Miller
    • Kris Kristofferson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Randal Kleiser
  • Writers
    • Paul Reubens
    • George McGrath
  • Stars
    • Paul Reubens
    • Penelope Ann Miller
    • Kris Kristofferson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 56User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
    • 42Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:19
    Official Trailer

    Photos142

    Valeria Golino, Paul Reubens, Kevin Peter Hall, Kris Kristofferson, Franco Columbu, and Mihaly 'Michu' Meszaros in Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
    Paul Reubens in Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
    Paul Reubens in Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
    Valeria Golino and Paul Reubens in Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
    Paul Reubens in Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
    Valeria Golino, Paul Reubens, Kevin Peter Hall, Kris Kristofferson, Frances Bay, Franco Columbu, Anne Seymour, and Kenneth Tobey in Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
    Kris Kristofferson in Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
    Penelope Ann Miller in Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
    Paul Reubens in Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
    Paul Reubens in Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
    Paul Reubens, Kevin Peter Hall, Kris Kristofferson, Franco Columbu, and Mihaly 'Michu' Meszaros in Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
    Paul Reubens and Kris Kristofferson in Big Top Pee-wee (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Paul Reubens
    Paul Reubens
    • Pee-wee Hermanas Pee-wee Herman
    Penelope Ann Miller
    Penelope Ann Miller
    • Winnieas Winnie
    Kris Kristofferson
    Kris Kristofferson
    • Mace Montanaas Mace Montana
    Valeria Golino
    Valeria Golino
    • Gina Piccolapupulaas Gina Piccolapupula
    Wayne White
    Wayne White
    • Vance the Pigas Vance the Pig
    • (voice)
    Susan Tyrrell
    Susan Tyrrell
    • Midge Montanaas Midge Montana
    Albert Henderson
    • Mr. Ryanas Mr. Ryan
    Jack Murdock
    Jack Murdock
    • Otisas Otis
    David Byrd
    David Byrd
    • Dekeas Deke
    Mary Jackson
    Mary Jackson
    • Mrs. Dillas Mrs. Dill
    Frances Bay
    Frances Bay
    • Mrs. Haynesas Mrs. Haynes
    Leo Gordon
    Leo Gordon
    • Joe - Blacksmithas Joe - Blacksmith
    • (as Leo V. Gordon)
    Anne Seymour
    Anne Seymour
    • Pearlas Pearl
    Kenneth Tobey
    Kenneth Tobey
    • Sheriffas Sheriff
    Jay Robinson
    Jay Robinson
    • Cookas Cook
    Eve Smith
    • Bunnyas Bunny
    Andrew Shalat
    • Paolo Piccolapupulaas Paolo Piccolapupula
    Mihaly 'Michu' Meszaros
    Mihaly 'Michu' Meszaros
    • Andyas Andy
    • Director
      • Randal Kleiser
    • Writers
      • Paul Reubens
      • George McGrath
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In the sequel to "Pee Wee's Big Adventure", Pee-Wee Herman has had enough with the fame and constant media attention he received after the events of the first movie, so he's now a simple farmer living quietly in a small town. But after a big storm blows their way, a circus ends up at Pee Wee's farm. So he lets the circus stay at his farm for a while. The circus decides to put on a show with one lovable star, Pee-Wee! Also, a love triangle develops between Pee-Wee, his nice fiancée Winnie, who's the local schoolteacher, and mysterious loner Gina, the circus' attractive trapeze artist. The outcome of this subplot is somewhat unexpected. —James Preston
    • circus
    • trapeze artist
    • trapeze
    • circus freak
    • acrobat
    • 88 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Hero. Lover. Legend.
    • Genres
      • Adventure
      • Comedy
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Film debut of Benicio Del Toro.
    • Goofs
      When PeeWee and Winnie are eating lunch, some of Winnie's egg salad sandwich falls on PeeWee's face and jacket. He wipes his face on her dress, but in the next shot it's not on her dress or his jacket.
    • Quotes

      Pee-wee: [shouts impatiently] All I wanted was a measly sandwich! I very nicely explained that I was starving. I'm starving! PLEASE!

      Mr. Ryan: [defeatedly] Sorry, ladies. I guess you'll just have to wait. You remember, no one is as important in this community as Pee-wee Herman. All you other shoppers will just have to play second fiddle to Pee-wee. I guess that's just the way things are around here. My whole purpose in life is to serve Pee-wee Herman. And everything else comes second!

      [finishes Pee-wee's sandwich]

      Mr. Ryan: There's your sandwich. Is there anything else I can do for you, Pee-wee?

      Pee-wee: Well, I would like a pickle if it's not too much trouble.

      Mr. Ryan: No! No trouble at all, Pee-wee. Sorry, Otis. Sorry, Deke.

      [opens a barrel, knocking over Otis and Deke's chess board; extracts a pickle and hands it to Pee-wee]

      Mr. Ryan: Game's over. Pee-wee Herman wants a pickle. Here. Here's your darned pickle. Are you happy now?

      Pee-wee: Mmm-hmm.

    • Crazy credits
      After the credits, a short cartoon plays featuring snacks singing about getting refreshments at the theater lobby.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Dead Pool/Phantasm II/Midnight Run/Boyfriends and Girlfriends/Die Hard (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Barnyard Circus Parade
      Written by Danny Elfman

    User reviews56

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Underrated sequel deserves a second chance from fans
    Sequel falls short largely because of stasis -- even though its's a circus theme, the writers/producers kept ALL the action on Pee Wee's farm, unlike the original which was a road trip film. Like the original, many bizarre touches are present and Reuben's portrayal is amusing. Here he's a bit more seedy, including a very funny hair fetish. The romance is unbelievable, though, because unlike the original, here Pee Wee is coupled with two supermodel class ladies. Fine direction, decent acting, lots of freaks. Kristofferson is funny as the perpetual man who knows where everybody should go (he plays that one a lot) in this case with a midget wife who's very very small. Pleasing otherworldly atmosphere enhanced by the circus theme -- if only the producers had sprung for a TRAVELLING circus! Still, this one didn't deserve the acid reviews and fan neglect it received on initial release, and should be given a fair look by fans of Reubens' neo-vaudeville comedy.
    helpful•13
    5
    • funkyfry
    • Oct 4, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 22, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Manege frei für Pee Wee
    • Filming locations
      • Walt Disney's Golden Oak Ranch - 19802 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $15,122,324
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,625,004
      • Jul 24, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $15,122,324
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 26 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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