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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 1998)
TI he CI ac I< amas P rint Pee-Wee's Big Adventures Candy hearts and pink streamers, or maybe chocolate and roses. It’s Valentine’s Day, the holi day of lo ve... and of cliches. Many of us may be going to a movie like “'litanie” or “Great Expectations” or renting “Sleepless in Seattle” or “Romeo and Juliet.” Some of us might be tired of all those love sto ries, all the cliché of the man-loves- woman story, with all the pains and joys that come in relationships. So I decided to find a movie that had an alternative, neither man and woman nor man and man, but man and bike. Now there’s a love story. “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” has the ultimate love story alternative. Pee- Wee is in love with his big red bike. From the beginning you can see his love and infatuation with his bicycle, as he polishes and pampers it, a bike studded with a glossy banana seat and those stringy things on the end of the handlebars. They do everything together, from shopping to stunt tricks, and the power of the relationship becomes evident. They are inseparable. Even Dotty’s big hair and deep admiration for Pee-Wee are unmoving. Herman remains faithful to his bike. Finally comes the great test of love. His bike disappears. Pee-Wee is lost and frightened as he searches for an swers in these tear-jerking moments/ Pee-Wee decides to sacrifice alljM for love, leavinglB his friends and home for his deepest desires. And despite disapproval from peers, he goes. Pee-Wee shows his courage in many scenes, wrestling a fat guy in a bathtub, jumping from a train, driv ing over cliffs and being chased by a redneck—all for love. Pee-Wee’s maddening obsession becomes more evident through his re curring dreams with abstract fears of his bike’s fate. His insanity leads to his putting his whole reputation on the line, by dressing in drag and later as a nun. His insanity later leads to put ting his life in danger as he encoun ters “Twisted Sister.” Through all the trials Pee-Wee be comes stronger and even a hero, sav ing hundreds of animals from a pet store fire. They even make a movie based on his adventure. Pee-Wee re alizes that true love conquers all and makes a wimpy dork with a bow tie... well, still a dork. Anyway, Pee-Wee is no Clark Gable, and the bike bears no resemblance of Greta Garbo, but the on screen romance is just as daz zling. Pee-Wee fried the same romantic twist in “Big Top Pee-Wee” with a pig, but their relationship cuts short when the circus comes to town. “Big Adventure” is an original and great for anybody who likes things different. So this Valentine’s Day, if you do not have a companion, park the your bike next to the sofa and watch “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.” «MMOT* CÔUHîr feBCIIHTS DCMMWHl Har«|t) TrtlHin» Mû AP f ■ Pee-Wee's Misadventures Paul Reubens, a.k.a. Pee-Wee Herman, is what could be called a fallen star. After two big movies and one of the most popular Sat urday morning programs ever (Pee-Wee's Playhouse), the man fa mous for his flapping arms and tight gray suit became even more famous for an event that took place in Sarasota, Florida. We will not go into the obscene details of the spectacle, other than the fact that Ruebens was arrested for showing more than children were familiar with from his regular program. After this incident, Pee-Wee's career went downhill fast."Playhouse" was canceled by CBS, his doll was recalled from stores, and his self esteem was bruised. Since then, he has made ! appearances on Murphy Brown, the MTV Music Awards and k small roles in various movies ■k Pee-Wee still has a fan club, obvious by the numerous ■k web pages devoted to him. So despite all of his transgres- Bk sions, the 80's icon still lives on. Information gathered by Jared Bezzant Wednesday, February 11, 1998
