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Big Top Pee-wee (1988)

PG  |   |  Adventure, Comedy, Romance  |  22 July 1988 (USA)
4.9
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Ratings: 4.9/10 from 7,072 users  
Reviews: 43 user | 13 critic

Pee-Wee is now a successful small-town farmer, engaged to schoolteacher Winnie. A traveling circus arrives and Pee-Wee and his talking pet pig Vance agree to help them win over the bitter townsfolk. He also falls for trapeze artist Gina.

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, (as George McGrath)
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Pee-wee Herman (as Pee-wee Herman)
...
...
...
Gina Piccolapupula
...
Vance the Pig (voice)
...
Midge Montana
Albert Henderson ...
Mr. Ryan
Jack Murdock ...
Otis
David Byrd ...
Deke
Mary Jackson ...
Mrs. Dill
...
Mrs. Haynes
Leo Gordon ...
Joe the Blacksmith (as Leo V. Gordon)
...
Pearl
...
Sheriff
Jay Robinson ...
Cook
Edit

Storyline

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. Written by James Preston

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Hero. Lover. Legend.


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

22 July 1988 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Big Top Pee-Wee - la mia vita picchiatella  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Gross:

$15,122,324 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The writers imagined a back story to connect this film to Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985): Pee Wee had become famous, due to the "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" feature film (starring James Brolin and Morgan Fairchild), inspired by his adventure. Pee Wee had a lot of girls flock over him, when he became a Frank Sinatra-like singer. But, Pee Wee had found fame too much and decided to fly away and live a quiet normal life as a farmer in an old folks' community. See more »

Goofs

When the Sheriff enters Mr. Ryan's Store to tell everyone about the Storm, Otis switches from standing next to the Sheriff and Mr. Ryan between shots. See more »

Quotes

Pee-wee: I call it... the hot dog tree, because... it's a hot dog tree.
See more »

Crazy Credits

After the credits, a short cartoon plays featuring snacks singing about getting refreshments at the theater lobby. See more »

Connections

References Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) See more »

Soundtracks

Barnyard Circus Parade
Written by Danny Elfman
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Excellent Pee Wee Movie
14 August 2009 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

I'm amazed by the negative reviews, this movie was outstanding! I think you have to appreciate Pee Wee humor, but if you do, then I think you'll agree this movie is brilliant, just like all of Paul Reubens' humor.

One thing to note, I had not watched Pee Wee's Big Adventure when I first saw Big Top, so maybe my expectations were different. And I had to watch Big Top (and Big Adventure) a number of times in order to catch and appreciate all of the subtleties.

Here is a perspective that might help: Pee Wee's movies basically show things from the standpoint of a little kid describing his world once he grows up. For example, a child might imagine that he will have a bicycle that can fly and do all sorts of "cool" things that in reality are impossible, but he doesn't have the cognitive skills to think about whether things like this are possible. He just makes up his story the way he wants it to be. Pee Wee's movies bring those types of childhood dreams to "reality" on the screen, with a bunch of unique grown-up humor and some often strange but appropriate music mixed in. Taken from that perspective, these movies are absolutely brilliant.


1 of 1 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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am i the only one that finds this movie hilarious? defcaliber585
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