I could have snapped a dozen more pictures off the TV this afternoon. The most wonderful and professional documentary of Pee Wee Herman. His rise to stardom, his fall from grace, and his rise again to standing ovations on Broadway this week. When a person has talent, charm and wit, how can you miss? I hope to see it again, from start to finish.
The final photo is the team behind the scenes at Pee Wee’s Playhouse, shot in a Manhattan warehouse as told.
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Allee Willis
I just have this to say about that: http://www.amazon.com/Allee-Willis-Herman-Adventure-PICTURE/dp/B000X5JQ3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1290367266&sr=8-1
That final photo has LOTS of folks missing from it.
Darren
Hi Allee, I have that picture disc! It was a fun song, loved the samples. When I found it in a record store in Dallas, I thought I’d found a pot of gold – I never even knew such an item existed, and how I had one! Such a great memory from back in the day (you know, when malls had stores that sold vinyl records).
I always wondered why it was never part of the movie, and how it even came to exist. Can you share any of the backstory?
Allee Willis
It was written as the title song for the movie by me and Don Freeman after Paul asked me to do it. But Danny Elfman insisted that no one else’s songs go in the movie (other than Tequila) and that was the end of that. It was a total drag because I worked my ass off for months. We even did a video for it which no one has ever seen. The song was definitely ahead of its time with its use of sampling. Really not a very happy memory for me or anyone else attached because we all loved this song so. I’m very happy to know you have the picture disc though!
Darren
I can see where that wouldn’t be the best of memories. Thanks for the background. Now, honestly, I think I saw a video for the song one of the times when Weird Al took over MTV for AL TV. Maybe I am nuts, but that seems right.
Allee Willis
No, I know the vid has never been played. Trust me, I would love for it to have been seen. It’s me singing with clips of Paul in Big Adventure cut in. All shot at my house.
Darren
Wow, now I REALLY want to see it!
I’ve enjoyed your site and learning how much of my favorite music you’ve played a part in (EWF, PSB, Richard Simmons and even Howard The Duck, Pee Wee oh and so many more).
You are a treat and I really appreciate your talent (and kitschity style).
Allee Willis
Thank you, Darren!
Do you collect anything?
Darren
I have some comic of my Dad’s (mad magazine when it was a comic book, war comics, Creepy, Tales from the Crypt) 12″ singles and oddly, cookie jars.
Allee Willis
Well, post them here please! Direct link to vey easy instructions is https://www.alleewillis.com/awmok/kitschenette/how-to-submit/
BeeJay
Oh man, I would LOVE to see that too, Allee. That really sucks they didn´t use it after all you put in. I´m very sorry to hear that.
Allee Willis
Yeah, it was a total bummer. Months and months of work, and the song and video were great. Don’t get me started!….
Darren
That really stinks. Makes me really wonder what I was I saw, because it was your song, and it was to clips of Big Adventure and it was on TV (no youtube back then). Maybe some VJ edited their own together.
But I remember now that it was the connection of seeing that video, and years later running across the picture disk that made me so thrilled to find something I didn’t know existed.
BeeJay
“Pee-wee´s real adversary is the ticking of his biological clock”
Ya – now he´s 58, remains as funny and luscious as ever and I love it!