Christmas at Pee-wee's Playhouse (1988)

Pee-Wee Herman throws a Christmas party at his playhouse with his friends and some celebrity guests.

Directors:

Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens

Writers:

John Paragon, Paul Reubens

Stars:

Kevin Carlson, Laurence Fishburne, Aaron Fletcher

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Carlson	...	Clockey / Conky / Floory
Laurence Fishburne	...	Cowboy Curtis (as Larry Fishburne)
Aaron Fletcher	...	Santa Claus
Ric Heitzman	...	Cool Cat / Fish / Flower / Mr.Window
Suzanne Kent	...	Mrs. Rene
William Marshall	...	King Of Cartoons
George McGrath	...	Cowntess / Fish / Flower / Globey
S. Epatha Merkerson	...	Reba
Alison Mork	...	Chairry / Chicky Baby / Magic Screen
John Paragon	...	Jambi / Pterri
Lynne Marie Stewart	...	Miss Yvonne (as Lynne Stewart)
Vic Trevino	...	Ricardo
Wayne White	...	Dirty Dog / Fish / Flower / Mr. Kite / Randy
Charlie Tickner	...	Hans
Paul Reubens	...	Pee-wee Herman

Storyline

Pee-wee Herman and pals are celebrating Christmas in the Playhouse in their own creative ways: Pee-wee makes a list for Santa Claus 1 1/2 miles long, teaches Little Richard how to ice skate, goes for a sleigh ride with Magic Johnson, commands Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello to make Christmas cards, receives a long phone call from Dinah Shore, even has more musical fun with k.d. lang, the Del Rubio Triplettes and Charo! Finally, Big Red arrives and announces that Pee-wee's Christmas list was so big, he didn't have enough presents for all the children of the world. Will Pee-wee follow his own advice and help others?

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | present | sleigh | santa claus | milk and cookies | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Musical

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

k.d. lang was asked by Paul Reubens to be on the show after hearing her first record in which was given to him by issue of Warner Bros. Her segment took the longest to film; nearly half a day.

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Goofs

In the final shot of the opening number with the singing and dancing marines, one of them drops his hat when Pee-wee sings the word "fun", but continues extending his arm back and forth wiggling his hand around as if he's still holding it.

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Quotes

Pee-wee: [guiding everyone in Christmas carols] Deck-the-Halls!
Everybody: Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly/Fa la la la la, la-la la la...
Pee-wee: Sleigh bells!
Everybody: Sleigh bells ring, are you listening...
Pee-wee: No, No! Sleigh bells! On the roof! Do you know what that means?
Reba: You've had too much eggnog?
Pee-wee: No, get out the milk and cookies! Hurry!

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits, Dinah Shore continues to sing "Twelve Days of Christmas" and after the credits, she asks where Pee-Wee has gone because the mannequin dressed as Pee-Wee does not respond.

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Connections

Featured in Movie Nights: Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special (2011)

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Soundtracks

Twelve Days of Christmas
Traditional, arranged by Frederic Austin (uncredited)
Performed by Dinah Shore

User Reviews

Encapsulates everything likable about the series

You've gotta hand it to a holiday special from the late '80s to make all this stale Christmas material fun again; one that at least gives it just that weird spin to freshen things up. "Christmas at Pee Wee's Playhouse" packs in the guest stars, musical numbers and unwanted fruitcakes - it's got duds, sure, the Del Rubio sisters and KD Lang don't really fit. But get a look at Pee Wee in his (awesome) snow suit. My kid lives to see him spaz it up (we both kinda bond over this), and that alone makes this a fun special.

The damn thing even comes with a message, and it's one that doesn't ruin the fun. Nice job.

7/10

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

21 December 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Christmas Special

Company Credits

Production Co:

Binder Entertainment, Pee Wee Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

49 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1